State Superintendent Visits Hickory Flat Elementary

CANTON, GA — Georgia’s State Superintendent of Schools visited the Cherokee County School District Wednesday and promoted the importance of studying the U.S. Constitution.

The statewide education leader met with all 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.” Woods gave copies for all district fourth-graders to Superintendent Brian 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, Hightower said, honors Hickory Flat and all of Cherokee Schools, as its teachers and support staff are much admired and appreciated by 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,” Hightower said, adding his thanks to Principal Kerry Estep and her leadership team for their 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 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 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 Stevie Morris’s class asked Woods “what made him want his job,” and the answer surprised him.

“You did,” 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.