Students across Rome City Schools took part in signing ceremonies on April 3, marking the end of a year focused on learning cursive writing. The events were held at schools throughout the district and allowed students to demonstrate their new skill by signing their names in front of classmates and teachers.
The initiative is part of Rome City Schools’ effort to ensure that all graduates are prepared for college, work, and life. Educators noticed that many students could not sign or read cursive, which led to renewed emphasis on teaching this skill. Teachers at elementary schools and Rome Middle School prioritized cursive instruction during the school year, helping students develop muscle memory and personal signatures.
The Georgia Department of Education has promoted cursive writing through its John Hancock recognition program. Elm Street Elementary was recognized as a John Hancock School last year after meeting participation benchmarks set by the state. The program requires that at least 90 percent of eligible students show proficiency in cursive writing and continue developing these skills as they advance grades.
Laura Walley, Director of Federal Programs and Professional Learning, said, “Writing in cursive is kind of a lost art, and we were realizing that students weren’t able to sign their name or read in cursive. We felt that learning this should remain a priority and would not only help our students now, but also when they graduate.” She added, “It was amazing to see how excited our students were during the signing ceremonies today. Their teachers have done a great job preparing them for this.”
Rome City Schools reports a graduation rate of 95.7 percent and provides one-to-one technology access for kindergarten through twelfth grade along with Advanced Placement courses and career-technical programs according to the official website. The district emphasizes academics, arts, athletics according to its official website, operates under oversight from a Board of Education according to its official website, offers academic options including virtual learning with support for special education according to its official website, provides public education from elementary through high school levels according to its official website, and maintains operations in Rome, Georgia according to its official website.
The recent signing ceremonies highlighted both achievement for individual students—who signed certificates using their new skills—and progress toward building practical abilities beyond classroom lessons.
