Local 6th graders get time off campus

Yesterday, April 10, the sixth grade students at Nancy Smith Elementary School spent the day touring downtown Albany while fourth and fifth graders were taking STAAR exams.

“It is nice for them to have a special day away from school,” said NSES counselor Leigh Lowe. “And we needed their classrooms for testing.”  

The sixth graders met with several elected county officers at the Shackelford County Courthouse beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Lowe had arranged for judge Robert Skelton, justice James Breeden, county agent Michaela Bradford, commissioner Steve Riley, and county clerk Cheri Hawkins to each give a five to seven minute presentation about their job, elections, and duties.

Students then had a chance to go up and see the top of the courthouse.

The NSES sixth graders spent a couple of hours touring the Old Jail Art Center before eating lunch at the Labyrinth.

The sixth graders were divided into two groups for the afternoon, and each group had a chance to visit with local business representatives.

City council member Susan Montgomery talked about the important jobs of the city council and explained the duties of mayor, city manager, and other city officials.

Business owner Betsy Parsons discussed why she and other members of her family own businesses in Albany, and the importance of all local businesses working together. 

Albany Independent School District trustee Robert Montgomery went over some of the various aspects of running a school that board members have to understand, including maintaining the fields, classrooms, overseeing contracts of employees, working with superintendents, and spending taxes wisely. 

Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones told the students about her job and some of the many activities she organizes to keep Albany working together. Jones also visited with them about the Ledbetter Picket House, Ledbetter Salt Works, Georgia Monument, Albany Depot and various buildings downtown.

The class headed back to school around 2:00 p.m.