Henderson Middle School

Dekalb County Schools

From the State School Superintendent

Back-to-School Message from Superintendent Richard Woods

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651- 7358,[email protected]

-Follow DOE on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

View Video Message from Superintendent Woods

August 11, 2016 – Over the next several weeks, more than 1.7 million students will walk through the doors of Georgia’s public schools. Some of those students are kindergarteners just starting their journey. Others are high school seniors almost ready to take the next step. They’ll be welcomed by more than 113,000 dedicated teachers.

I want to take a moment to personally welcome every one of our students and teachers back to school. I offer my best wishes to each of you for a safe, successful year of learning.

This is an exciting time of the year, full of new beginnings, and it always brings to mind the students, teachers, and administrators who shaped my own life. I will try to honor their legacy this year as I serve as your State School Superintendent.

There is so much going on in Georgia that is benefiting students. I can’t wait to spend time in classrooms across the state and continue to witness the personalized and holistic approach schools are taking as we work to educate Georgia’s future.

This year, we have the opportunity to continue to improve learning for our students as we work to create Georgia’s state plan responsive to the Every Student Succeeds Act (the replacement for the federal law commonly known as No Child Left Behind). Please visit gadoe.org/ESSA and stay tuned for more information – there will be many opportunities for you to provide feedback and help us shape the future of Georgia education.

To our students, I hope you have a wonderful start to the year. I encourage you to stay positive, work hard, and make the most of every opportunity that is given to you. You are Georgia’s future and we are proud that you will one day lead our state.

To our parents, thank you for your willingness to be the number-one partner in your child’s education. We can only move education forward by working together, and your engagement in our schools is essential for the success of our students. We so appreciate your support.

To our educators, please know how much you are appreciated. It has been my pleasure watching you take such pride in personalizing the education of each and every child in the state of Georgia. Thank you for your collaborative effort to ensure the students in Georgia’s public schools graduate ready to live, ready to learn, and ready to lead.

Please stay plugged in with the GaDOE during the school year, and reach out if we can ever be of assistance. You can connect with us on social media at facebook.com/georgiadeptofed, twitter.com/georgiadeptofed, andinstagram.com/georgiadeptofed.

Have a fantastic year, everyone.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent