Valdosta City Schools is proud to announce that all five of the district’s elementary schools have earned the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) for the 2025–2026 school year.
The recognition honors schools where at least 90 percent of students demonstrate proficiency in writing their names in cursive. All five Valdosta City Schools elementary schools met this standard, making this a districtwide achievement worth celebrating.
The five recognized schools are:
- J.L. Lomax Elementary School
- Pinevale Elementary School
- Sallas Mahone Elementary School
- S.L. Mason Elementary School
- W.G. Nunn Elementary School
During the 2025–2026 school year, 630 schools across Georgia earned John Hancock recognition. Of those, 307 received the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon, while 323 earned the John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction.
“To have all five of our elementary schools earn this recognition demonstrates the strong foundation our educators are building for students across Valdosta City Schools,” said Dr. Craig D. Lockhart, Superintendent of Valdosta City Schools. “Cursive writing is about more than penmanship. It strengthens literacy, develops confidence, and connects our students to important pieces of our nation’s history. This is an achievement worth celebrating, and I commend our teachers, administrators, and especially our students for their hard work.”
Cursive writing is included in Georgia’s English Language Arts standards and supports the development of fine motor skills, spelling, writing fluency, and literacy. It also provides students with the ability to read historical documents in their original handwritten form.
The Georgia Department of Education announced the recognitions in conjunction with Constitution Week, observed September 17–23, and the ongoing commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Valdosta City Schools congratulates the students, teachers, and administrators at all five elementary schools for demonstrating their commitment to developing strong, confident writers.
Five schools. One district. All BelieVing in the V!
For more information about the John Hancock Award and the statewide recognition, visit: https://url.gadoe.org/hu7ge