Honoring History with Penmanship: Ten Glynn County Schools Earn State John Hancock Awards

Posted Date: 09/30/26 (12:00 PM)

The Georgia Department of Education has recognized schools across the state for their commitment to cursive writing instruction and civic education. Nine Glynn County schools earned state John Hancock Awards for demonstrating exceptional cursive proficiency among their students during the 2025–2026 school year!

The John Hancock Award program highlights schools that foster strong foundational literacy skills while connecting students to America’s founding documents. To earn recognition, schools submit cursive writing samples verifying high levels of student mastery.

Glynn County Schools is proud to announce our 2025–2026 award recipients across two distinct categories:

Ribbon of Distinction
(Awarded to schools where at least 90% of students can write both their names and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in cursive)

Altama Elementary
C.B. Greer Elementary
Goodyear Elementary
Risley Middle
Satilla Marsh Elementary
St. Simons Elementary
Sterling Elementary

Proficiency Ribbon
(Awarded to schools where at least 90% of students can write their names in cursive)

Burroughs-Molette Elementary
Golden Isles Elementary
Oglethorpe Point Elementary

While cursive instruction is integrated into Georgia’s English Language Arts standards, its benefits extend beyond simple handwriting. Research shows that learning cursive builds fine motor skills, improves spelling and memory retention, and enhances overall writing fluency. "Cursive writing is about much more than penmanship — it supports the development of skills students use throughout their learning," said Dr. April Aldridge, GaDOE Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. "It also gives students the ability to encounter documents like the U.S. Constitution as they were originally written, creating a tangible connection between literacy, history, and civic understanding."

Congratulations to our student writers, teachers, and school leaders who continue to keep history and literacy alive in Glynn County!