A teacher ran into the school gym where hundreds of John Johnson Elementary School students sat “criss cross applesauce.”
“The eagle has landed,” a teacher shouted, running into the gym. All the students were silent.
State School Superintendent, Dr. John Barge, arrived on campus Friday afternoon to deliver the School of Excellence award to John Johnson faculty members and students.
Barge told the students they were not only adorable, but also smart, hence why they were named one of two schools of excellence in Georgia’s Second Congressional District.
“I didn’t have a whole lot of time to see the kids and the teachers and the classrooms,” Barge said, “But what I did see was a lot of smiling faces and a lot of smiling teachers. The young people looked very eager.
He explained to students and faculty members in a speech that John Johnson had the most improved report cards in the district. Two schools are chosen in each of Georgia’s 14 districts — one school is selected for most improved and for showing the most growth while another school in the district is selected for highest achievement.  There are 32 counties and hundreds of schools within the district.
Barge in addition to a trophy of excellence, gave the school faculty members each a free massage on a day of their choosing thanks to sponsors of the School of Excellence program like United Healthcare. Georgia Natural Gas also sponsored a $1,000 donation to the school, which Barge presented.
Decatur County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield said he was proud yet another county school has won the title.
“We were going through this same drill last year at Potter Street Elementary, and it would be okay with me if we do this drill at the six other schools in Decatur County, making every school in the county a school of excellence,” Rayfield said. “Its an awfully good feeling to be doing this again this year.”