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Principal's Message

Dear Starling Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We are thrilled to begin this new chapter with you as we continue our commitment to learning, leading, and supporting the growth of every Starling student. Our theme this year is:
“One Vision. One Team. Every Student.”

As Starling United, we are more aligned, more connected, and more focused than ever before. We believe in the power of teamwork and unity to ensure that each child feels seen, supported, and successful. Our growing school community, now larger and stronger, remains centered on providing a safe, joyful, and rigorous learning environment for all.

This year, we are deeply committed to reducing variability in teaching and learning so that every classroom is a place of excellence. Through collaboration across grade levels and departments, we will make intentional instructional decisions that maximize student success. We have welcomed a phenomenal group of new educators who, alongside our dedicated returning staff, are eager to make a lasting impact on our school culture and student achievement.

At Starling, we strive to ensure that every student experiences a strong sense of belonging, significance, and fun. Through the continued implementation of social-emotional learning strategies, our students will develop the tools to manage emotions, build relationships, and approach each day with confidence and purpose. We know that when students feel emotionally grounded, they are more ready to learn and thrive.

Our mission remains clear:
“To cultivate a community of lifelong learners by empowering students to achieve excellence while utilizing diverse experiences.”
This year, we will continue to connect classroom learning to real-world applications, foster critical thinking and problem-solving, and prepare our students to be effective communicators, thoughtful citizens, and future-ready leaders.

As our Grayson community continues to expand, so does our school. With this growth, we remain committed to ensuring that every student receives high-quality instruction in a nurturing and academically rich environment.

There are many ways for families to stay informed and engaged throughout the year:

  • Visit our school website for important updates and resources

  • Follow us on Facebook for real-time news and celebrations

  • Use Parent Square for school-wide announcements, class communication, and reminders

  • Check out my weekly newsletter, The Principal’s Desk, for highlights, upcoming events, and schoolwide updates

We also have a phenomenal PTA and welcome volunteers, supporters, and community partners who want to contribute to our thriving school.

At Starling Elementary—where excellence is the expectation— we are committed to serving our students and families with care, intentionality, and pride. If you ever have a question or concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at crystal.cooper@gcpsk12.org or 678-344-6100.

Thank you for being part of our school family. Let’s make this an incredible year—united, focused, and full of growth!

With gratitude and leadership,
Dr. Crystal Cooper
Principal, Starling Elementary School