ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — A new school year starts for students in Rockdale County and there are big changes for children returning to one elementary school.
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach sat down and spoke to the new superintendent about the new Pine Street Elementary School.
The school is no longer on Pine Street but it kept the name of the historic school about two miles from its original location.
The new facility sits next to Conyers Middle School.
Parents and students gathered last week to tour the school.
“It is amazing. We come from the old Pine Street Elementary. This is a huge space,” said parent Jennifer Watson.
Only on the job two months, one of Rockdale County superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts’ first jobs: help open the school.
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Incorporating new technology, safety and security, there are also changes in the classroom.
Old single rows of desks give way to innovative, flexible learning spaces.
“Students will actually be learning in collaborative learning spaces, which will be real conducive for them to connect to each other and collaborate and learn from each other,” Oatts said.
Oatts said he’s been impressed so far meeting with not only his principals but getting input from the entire community.
“They’re committed to the schools and they want the schools to work well,” Oatts said.
He said there’s broad support to keep Rockdale County’s nearly 17,000 students consistently improving.
“And we’re going to work with our parents, work with our school leaders and with district office officials to make sure that Rockdale County is demonstrably improving in terms of student learning, achievement, and growth,” Oatts said.
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