Controversy erupts after Jim Crow signs displayed at Honey Creek Elementary School in Rockdale County, GA

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County School District’s Superintendent Shirley Chesser on Thursday (April 23) addressed the community backlash the District has faced this week over a pair of “Whites Only” and “Coloreds Only” signs that were posted in Honey Creek Elementary School’s cafeteria. 

The Jim Crow signs came to light after a Conyers mother told Channel 11 that her first and fifth grade children saw the signs and were confused and hurt by them.

On Common Ground News learned on Thursday that the teacher who initiated the Social Studies project is black and the signs were part of a larger lesson aimed at teaching students about historical figures throughout American history and the significance of their contributions, concluding with civil rights icon Ruby Bridges Hall. As the first Black to integrate the former whites-only William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1960, the 70-year-old trailblazer is a celebrated speaker, philanthropist and chair of the Ruby Bridges Foundation. 

At Thursday’s school board meeting, Chesser called on Virnilisa Printup, the district’s Social Studies coordinator, to provide details concerning Social Studies standards and activities during Public comments.  

Pictured above: RCSD Superintendent Shirley Chesser 

Please watch the video starting at 1hr., 4 minutes, 10 seconds.