CCSD : State Superintendent Of Schools Visits CCSD

Press release from Cherokee County School District:

March 9, 2022

State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods visits today with fourth-graders in teacher Stevie Morris's class at Hickory Flat ES.

NOTE: More photos from today's visit are online here.

Georgia’s State Superintendent of Schools visited the Cherokee County School District today and promoted the importance of studying the U.S. Constitution.

The statewide education leader met with all of Hickory Flat Elementary School’s fourth-graders and answered their questions about his role in government. 

“These words apply to you each and every day of your life,” State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods said, as he held up a pocket-size book featuring the U.S. Constitution.

He then presented each student with their own pocket-size U.S. Constitution book, which also includes the Declaration of Independence, “The Star Spangled Banner” and “I Have a Dream.”  Superintendent Woods gave copies for all CCSD fourth-graders to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower, and those will be distributed to all elementary schools this month.  Fourth-grade social studies is the first year when students begin to seriously study the U.S. Constitution, with that learning continuing in middle and high school classes.

The visit, Dr. Hightower said, honors Hickory Flat and all of CCSD, as its teachers and support staff are much admired and appreciated by Superintendent Woods.

“He knows the good work our teachers and staff do every day to serve our students, and we’re thankful he got to see that dedication and care for himself today,” Dr. Hightower said, adding his thanks to Principal Kerry Estep and her leadership team for their wonderful welcome.

Hickory Flat’s students, known as the Thunderbirds, celebrated the visit, which also included School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, School Board members John Harmon and Rick Steiner and members of Dr. Hightower’s senior staff.  Wearing bright green #BeKind T-shirts, the students sprinkled the guests with confetti to represent kindness and cheerfully explained their school’s mission and beliefs.

“I’m so proud he chose Hickory Flat,” fourth-grader Sophia Castillo said after Superintendent Woods visited her class, led by teacher Colton Christian.  

When Superintendent Woods asked her class if they had questions, Sophia instead shared a statement that brought smiles to every guest: “I hope you feel welcome,” she told him, “because we’re happy you’re here.”

During his visits to each classroom, students peppered the former high school history teacher turned elected official with questions.  They asked him about himself, his hobbies, and what he likes best about being, as he put it, “the Principal of the whole state” and its 2,300 schools.

Fourth-grader Ramsey Keating in teacher Steve Morris's class asked Superintendent Woods “what made him want his job,” and the answer surprised him.

“You did,” Superintendent Woods said.  “I love kids.  I love students.  My passion is to give you the best education we can.”

Ramsey’s take on his answer: “Amazing.”  While he looks forward to reading his new book, especially “The Star Spangled Banner,” Ramsey said he hasn’t changed his mind about history.  It’s still not as good as math.

#CCSDfam

Here is a video from today's visit!

Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration Time 0:00Loaded: 0%Progress: 0%Stream TypeLIVERemaining Time -0:00 

Playback Rate1

• Chapters

Chapters

• descriptions off, selected

Descriptions

• subtitles off, selected

Subtitles

• captions off, selected

Captions

Audio TrackFullscreen

This is a modal window.

Captions Settings Dialog
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

Text
Color

Transparency

Background
Color

Transparency

Window
Color

Transparency

Font Size

Text Edge Style

Font Family

Defaults
Done

This press release was produced by Cherokee County School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.