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It was a day of pomp and circumstance, honor and celebration at
Wacona School yesterday as the school celebrated its designation
as a Platinum School, one of the highest awards given to schools
in the state of Georgia for gains in student achievement. Dr.
Jackie Turner, principal of Wacona, received word recently that
the school had won the prestigious award.
The Governor's Office of Student Achievement awards schools that
show excellence in student achievement and/or progress in
student achievement. To qualify for this particular award a
school must make AYP for 3 consecutive years, have 35% or more
of their students exceeding standards on state assessments, and
be in the 98th percentile of schools making gains in student
achievement.
Yesterday's exciting surprise celebration included teachers and
staff gathering for a group photo, being escorted to the front
of the building in limosines, and parading down the red carpet
to enter the school's media center for the celebration. Once in
the media center, staff were met and congratulated by former and
retired Wacona teachers, several current Board members, Central
Office representatives, Waycross Mayor Clarence Billups and
Waycross City Commissioner Marion Solomon-Gaines.
In a most humble and gracious moment, Dr. Turner invited Dr.
Randy Jones, former principal at Wacona, to make the first
congratulatory remarks to the Wacona staff. Dr. Jones told the
group that he had read in the local newspaper of smoke coming
from fires burning in the swamp, but the headlines were
mistaken, according to Jones. The real fires were burning at
Wacona Elementary School as teachers and staff worked to improve
student achievement!
Dr. Jospeh Barrow, Ware Superintendent congratulated the staff
and reminded them that they were in an elite group of Georgia
schools in receiving this award. He thanked the staff for their
hard work and diligence in receiving the prestigious honor. In
an earlier e-mail written to Dr. Turner, Barrow said, "This is a
great compliment to you, your teachers, and your entire school
family. I am very proud of your school's efforts and the
performance of our children in reaching these impressive
milestones! Congratulation to all!"
February 2, 2012
For More
Information Contact:
Theresa Martin
Director of
Public Relations
(912)283-8656
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