SE Atlanta News

A big round of applause for our talented and hard-working students recognized at the March 16, 2023 Rockdale County Board of Education meeting.

In honor of March being National Art, Dance, Music and Theatre in our Schools Month, RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts issued an endorsement of the fine arts in our schools. RCPS high school artists gifted Rockdale County Board of Education members with personal works portraying each member. Board members also were presented hand-made items from student artists at Gen. Ray Davis Middle School and from Pine Street Elementary.

Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest

For many years, the anniversary of the founding of the Georgia colony at Savannah on February 12, 1733, has been known as "Georgia Day." Recognized in many ways across the state, each year the Georgia Historical Society (GHS) hosts fun and unique opportunities for Georgia’s students to explore our state’s past through the lens of historical research and creativity. Students of all grade levels can compete by creating original artwork on the annual theme. This year’s theme was, “Made in Georgia.” After being reviewed and judged for their creativity and use of Festival educational resources, projects will be featured online and through GHS social media. This statewide art contest is open to students of all grade levels with categories for elementary, middle, and high school. Young artists are asked to illustrate the products, industries, and people who influenced Georgia’s economic landscape: Products – Peaches, Peanuts, Cotton, Pecans, and Marble People – Sharecroppers, Miners, Entrepreneurs, and Textile Workers Industries such as Agriculture, Mining, Textile Industry and Transportation and TourismThree students from Gen. Ray Davis Middle School who were winners in this year’s statewide art contest. Congratulations to: Kaylee Williams - Overall State Winner, Georgia Historical Society's Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest.Makayla McCranie - Best Use of Theme, Georgia Historical Society's Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest.Michelle Aguilar - Most Creative, Georgia Historical Society's Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest. 

All-State Art Symposium

The annual All-State Art Symposium is dedicated to promoting and recognizing the creative talents of high school students from Georgia's school districts. The symposium's workshops, juried exhibition and other events provide high school students with cultural opportunities, develop advanced studio skills, and cultivate aesthetic appreciation while recognizing excellence in high school art education. Through the dynamic symposium, students, parents and teachers celebrate creativity and the symbiotic relationship of art and society.

Three students from Heritage High School had their artwork accepted into the prestigious 2023 All State Art Symposium. This is an extremely high honor since there were more than 2000 entries this year from 104 schools and only 50 works were accepted by the panel of esteemed judges. Out of 104 schools participating, Heritage High School had 3 of the 50 works selected. 

Congratulations to: Christina Luong, Cariann Wilkes, Alana Chrobak. 

The Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA)

The mission of the Georgia Music Educators Association is to promote the advancement of music education in Georgia. To do this, they sponsor conferences for our teacher members, providing continuing education and professional growth opportunities. For the students of their members, they provide performance evaluations for individuals and ensembles.   They also organize the All-State Performance program for band, orchestra, chorus and a few other divisions.

Congratulations to three students who were selected for the All-State Performance program: 

Alton Ellis, Rockdale County High School - All State Band 4th Chair, Tuba.John Williams Jr., Rockdale County High School - All State Band 1st Alternate, Bass Euphonium.Jessica Rhee, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology - All State Orchestra, Violin (th consecutive year)

Georgia School Boards Appreciation Week

This week is also Georgia School Boards Appreciation Week. We join the statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education.In our press release earlier this week Dr. Oatts said, “The Rockdale County Board of Education continues to be among the best in the state. This award-winning Board has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s Exemplary Board designation for each eligible year, a total of seven times, and has won the Leading Edge Award for the past four consecutive years. We appreciate the work of our Board to provide the resources needed to support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of our students and staff. We are sincerely grateful for the dedication of our Board members who regularly attend district and school events, and continuously strive to make sure RCPS remains a great place to go to teach, lead, and learn.” Board members are elected to be the community’s voice on education and represent a continuous commitment to local citizen control and decision-making in education. As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system and disbursing school funds. As community leaders, school board members serve as advocates for the children in local public schools and must study, evaluate, and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.

Our Board members and their years of service are:

Pamela J. Brown (Chairwoman) 6 years (January 2017) Heather Duncan (Vice Chair)  6 years (January 2017) Wales Barksdale              18 years (January 2005) Sandra Jackson-Lett          4 years (January 2019) Janie Jones      3 months (January 2023)Mandy North            10 years (January 2013) Akita Parmer                 2 years (January 2021) 

Honey Creek Elementary first grader McKenzie Shropshire presented the inspiration for the evening.

Pine Street Elementary's literacy team presented on PSE's literacy campaign and the events held through the year.

Original source can be found here