A group of Bryan County community leaders recently got the chance to take a close up look at what are often refered to as the county's crown jewels.

Its schools.

The group, which included city and county officials, school board members, PTSO and booster club presidents and a clergyman, toured the five schools in South Bryan on Thursday.

A similar tour of the North Bryan schools will take place in mid-October.

The idea for the tour started last year, when school board members were invited to visit the schools as a show of appreciation, School Superintendent Dr. Sallie Brewer said.

"I had the idea it would be great for our community leaders to understand what our excellent reputation is about by viewing classrooms firsthand," she said. "As I said, we know we do not do it alone. We appreciate and depend on support from community agencies, governmental groups and the community at large."

Among the stops the group made were classrooms, media centers and computer labs in the five schools in Richmond Hill - Richmond Hill Primary School, Richmond Hill Elementary School, Carver Elementary, Richmond HIll MIddle School and Richmond Hill High School. At RHHS, members of the band welcomed the group.

Along the way, principals and teachers thanked officials for their support of education.

"We’re lucky to live in a very generous community," Carver Principal Crystal Morales said. "Our kids benefit from the support."

Technology was on prominent display, as teachers and students used Smart Board and other computer programs to teach math, English and Spanish.

"I was very impressed with the way they showed the technology," said Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church Pastor Greg Gillispie, who recently moved to Bryan County. "They also emphasized technology doesn’t drive everything, it’s a tool to get to the learning. It’s not just the bells and the whistles, it’s what helps carry out the education the kids need."