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Message In case you missed it, here’s a recap of recent media coverage and content posted to sccpss.comDavis-Edwards-Harris Educational Complex Ribbon Cutting I PAGE 6May Day Celebration | PAGE 8JROTC Leadership Camp | PAGE 11School Spotlight | PAGES 12 & 13
Savannah-Chatham County Public School System208 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401S. Denise Watts, Ed.D.Superintendent of SchoolsRoger Moss Board PresidentDenise R. GrabowskiDistrict One; Vice PresidentDr. Dionne Hoskins-BrownDistrict Two RepresentativeCornelia H. HallDistrict Three Representative Shawn A. KashmarDistrict Four RepresentativePaul E. SmithDistrict Five; Vice President Pro-TemporeDr. David BringmanDistrict Six RepresentativeMichael JohnsonDistrict Seven RepresentativeDr. Tonia Howard-HallDistrict Eight RepresentativeMISSION: Together, we ignite and foster lifelong learning at the highest levels for allVISION: From school to the world; All students prepared to be successful and productive citizensTABLE OFCONTENTS1 | June 2024Message from the SuperintendentBoard RecapStudent of the MonthGraduation 2024Davis-Edward-Harris Educational Complex Ribbon Cutting CeremonyHuman ResourcesMay Day CelebrationINGITE For Success!Operation 15, EnmarketJROTC Leadership CampGroves High School: We Are FamilyWoodville Tompkins: Preparing Women for the Future2345678910111213
If you received this from a friend and want to receive it in your inbox, just reach out to our communications team at communications@sccpss.com and we will be sure to get your connected with the SCCPSS family!I hope you will stay connected with us through our various communication channels and actively participate in the myriad of opportunities available to support our students' growth and development.Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can take our schools to new heights and bring out the best in our students and staff! Join us because #togetherwecan!Warm regards,S. Denise Watts, Ed.D.Superintendent’s MessageJune 2024 | 2Dear Friends,As we close the end of the 23/24 school year, and I approach the one year anniversary of my arrival in Savannah, I want to say how proud I am of each and every one of our scholars and our educators. This has been a remarkable year for me in many ways. I’ve gotten to know many of you through your students, or through your service to those students. It gives me immense pleasure to see the growth and development happening in our schools!Last month, we had the privilege of watching over 2,000 seniors cross the stage at Enmarket Arena to receive their diplomas. Seeing the joy and pride on display from the graduates, their families, and the staff was wonderful. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us. You will find some of our photos on page X of this publication, but all the photos are online at sccpss.comAnother milestone was reached last month with the ribbon cutting at the Davis-Edwards-Harris Educational Complex. This facility is a testament to perseverance, persistence and innovation. Learn more about this new gem on PX!By the time you read this, we will be halfway through summer vacation! I hope everyone has had time to relax and recharge with family and friends. Before too long, we will be heading back to class! And I’ve got to say, I’m pretty excited about that! I won’t be the “new superintendent” anymore! And we will be ALL IN on our strategies and performance objectives for improving student achievement. We encourage you to join us on this journey because as we’ve said many times, “It takes a village!” and Together We Can!
3 | June 2024Video highlights from the June Board Meeting from Public Information Manager Sheila Blanco. CLICK HERE TO WATCH.June Board Meeting RecapBudget Approval in JuneAt the regular meeting in June, the Board tentatively approved the Tentative Fiscal Year 2025 Budget for All Funds as well as the recommended General Fund Millage Rate of 17.631 mills, a G.O. Bond Debt Tax of 0 mill, and an aggregate millage rate of 17.631 mills in the Year of 2024 for the support and maintenance of public education. At a Special Called Meeting later on June 20, the Budget for FY25 was approved by the Board. Many strategic initiatives are funded in this budget including a staff cost of living increase of 5.5%. The Board also approved the millage rate for FY25. The millage rate will be rolled back .15 mil from the previous year’s rate of 17.631 mils to 17.481Learn more here or at sccpss.com.Purchase of Decodable Books and Packs ApprovedLast year, the board approved a one-time purchase of decodable books and packs for reading manipulatives to support students at four elementary schools. This month, the Board approved additional decodable books and packs for all District K-5 th grade schools. The purchase includes professional development. The books and takehome packs have decodable and high-frequency words that will impact word recognition and will support phonic instructional scope and sequence.. Learn more here.Upcoming EventsJUNE 27, 2024 | Audit Committee Meeting | Whitney Administrative Complex | 8:00 a.m. JULY 1 -5, 2024 | District ClosureJULY 12, 2024 | Informal Meeting of the Board of Public Education | Whitney Administrative Complex | 10:00 a.m.JULY 12, , 2024 | Formal Meeting of the Board of Public Education | Whitney Administrative Center | 2:00 p.m.JULY 17, 2024 | Capital Improvement Committee Meeting | Whitney Administrative Complex | 3:00 p.m.
Superintendent’s Student of the MonthJames Aubrey OutlandRobert W. Groves High SchoolOur Student of the Month for May is a rising senior at Robert W. Groves High School. James Outland is described as “A Fighter Not a Quitter.” He has endured many adversities during his high school career. Early on the morning of November 6, 2022, James and his family woke up to a fire in their duplex that spread to their unit. While he made sure his family was safe, our student could not save any personal belongings. The family lost everything. Completely displaced, they had to move in with his grandparents. This was a major life change, and he could have given up. Even though he struggled, he never gave up. He rose above the circumstances and was able to complete his sophomore year successfully, maintaining a B average. In his junior year, James decided to join the Maritime Logistics Pathway and pursue the offered certifications. He’s become very focused and a hard worker! He did not let adversity stop him from moving forward. As he begins his senior year, the resilience, determination, perseverance, and positive mindset that are part of his character will make him successful. James will receive multiple gifts from our community partner. James and students in his English Language Arts class next term will receive copies of his favorite book from our sponsor, E. Shaver Booksellers. Lastly, he will take home a portrait by Upscale Photography provided by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. Again, congratulations to James, his family, and the Groves High School family! And special thanks to his nominator, Dr. Gina Smith. June 2024 | 4“James is the epitome of hard work and commitment. I am proud fo this young man and all that he as accomplished in spite of tremendous odds."Dr. Gina SmithLogistics Instructor and nominator of Mr. Outland
5 | June 2024From School to the World: Over 2,000 Students Cross The Stage At SCCPSS Graduation CeremoniesJoy and excitement filled the atmosphere of the EnMarket Arena May 20th-23rd, 2024, as 2,060 students received their diplomas and became graduates of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, marking the beginning of a new chapter for our graduates as they embark on their future endeavors, whether it be enrolling in college, enlisting in the armed forces, pursuing employment, or embarking on entrepreneurial ventures. The Class of 2024 boasts:● Three students earned their high school diplomas AND also earned their associate degrees: Bashiah McNutt, Cameron Straughter, and Ne'Ali Scott● Five Gates Scholars: Kamryn Middleton, Jamari Sharp, and Timothy Williams - Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School; Taniah Truell - Alfred Ely Beach High School; Isabela Chabrier-Diaz - Johnson High School● Over $38,000,000 earned in scholarships Congratulations to the Class of 2024! See all the photos from graduation HERE.
June 2024 | 6Ribbon Cutting Celebration Held for Davis-Edwards-Harris Educational ComplexMore than a hundred people gathered Friday, May 10, 2024, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new ESPLOST-funded 6-12 Multicampus in Garden City. The expansive school facility newly named the Davis-Edwards-Harris Educational Complex, will be home to Mercer Middle School and Groves High School students starting this summer when school resumes on August 1st.The new facility is close to 400,000 square feet in three stories and has a capacity of 2,400 students. The campus includes state-of-the-art technology, a digital media lab, CTAE labs for aviation and logistics as well as business and family consumer sciences. An extensive solar array will produce approximately 30% of the school's power needs.The school boasts two cafeterias (with a single kitchen), two media centers and two gyms, one each for high school and middle school. In addition, an athletics complex will be built on campus, including a football stadium with a field house and a competitive track & field area, multipurpose soccer fields, a high school baseball field, a high school softball field, a little league field, and more. The campus also features a two-story, 750-seat auditorium with a full-scale performance production stage. Three paved parking lots with a capacity of more than 660 parking spaces will serve the facility. The facility was funded by the one penny sales tax in Chatham County at a cost of approximately $150,000,000. https://www.wtoc.com/2024/05/10/ribbon-cutting-held-new-sccpss-multi-site-complex/See more photos from the event here.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY #3Talent Management for Optimal Employee PerformanceSCCPSS Human Resources Division Receives State Awards of ExcellenceThe SCCPSS Human Resources division was recently recognized by the Georgia Association of School Personnel Administrators (GASPA) with a Gold Award of Excellence-Best in Class in the area of Retention Practices. This award recognizes innovative practices (e.g. employee induction models, mentoring programs and recognition programs) implemented to retain highly effective employees. They also earned the Silver Award of Excellence in the area of Strategic Partnerships recognizing innovative and strategic partnerships with colleges/universities or industry to promote the hiring of the best teachers, administrators and support staff; and the Silver Award of Excellence in the area of Recruitment. The recognitions were bestowed on SCCPSS staff at GASPA’s spring conference last month on St. Simon’s Island.7 | June 2024SCCPSS Hosts Annual Retirement CeremonyOn Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, the SCCPSS Human Resources Division hosted the annual Retirement Ceremony at the Armstrong Ballroom at Georgia Southern. Colleagues, friends, and family gathered to honor the dedicated individuals who have contributed their time, talent, and passion to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. Laughter mingled with bittersweet moments as retirees shared memories from their time in service, As they embark on this new chapter of their lives, their impact on the SCCPSS community will be fondly remembered and cherished.
June 2024 | 8Get InvolvedInterested in getting involved with our schools? Simply log on to create a profile, then browse the opportunities to mentor, read, beautify, and more! Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students and strengthen the bonds that make our community truly exceptional!Register online at vista.sccpss.comMassie Heritage Center Celebrates May DayThe May Day Festival in Taylor Square at the Massie Heritage Center was another success as this 168-year celebration continues. Massie Common School opened in 1856 in Savannah, GA hosting its first May Day in the Spring of that same school year in what was then Calhoun Square. This beautiful festival to celebrate springtime's joys is a tradition that continues today.Congratulations to the 2024 May Day King and Queen: Sabine Carcamo of Rice Creek K-8 School, and Beckham Buttimer of May Howard Elementary.
9 | June 2024IGNITING EXCELLENCE: SCCPSS Hosts Summer Leadership ConferencePrincipals, assistant principals, and district leadership convened at the Savannah Convention Center for the IGNITE Summer Leadership Conference in May. Over three days of intense sessions and collaborative discussions, attendees were empowered to elevate their leadership skills and pave the way for a successful 2024-2025 academic year. Under the leadership of Dr. Denise Watts, Superintendent of Schools, the conference served as a platform for SCCPSS leaders to delve into key topics, ranging from district initiatives to innovative pedagogical strategies. Attendees enjoyed food trucks, music by our talented students and a keynote address by EJ Carrion, co-founder and CEO of Student Success Agency. The success of the IGNITE Summer Leadership Conference reflects the District's commitment to empowering educational leaders and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Special thanks to the Professional Learning team and the Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance for their hard work in making this conference a success! See more pictures HERE.
June 2024 | 10SCCPSS School Resource Officers Host Camp for StudentsThirty students in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System participated in Operation 15., the summer camp is designed to make students more comfortable around school resource officers and law enforcement Officers say they see an uptick in crime throughout the summer, and by keeping students engaged and busy, they feel they’re less likely to become a part of that statistic. Along with building discipline, Operation 15 allows students to build social skills, learn how to problem solve, explore careers,and have a lot of fun along the way. Over 30 students took part in the experience, where they built relationships with our School Resource Officers and each other. “We want them to learn how to get along with others, how to carry relationships and we think we’re doing a pretty good job of it through the program,” said Deputy Chief Arron Graves, Board of Education Police Department, SCCPSS.https://www.wtoc.com/2024/06/20/sccpss-school-resource-officers-host-camp-students/https://www.wtoc.com/video/2024/06/20/sccpss-school-resource-officers-host-camp-students/Enmarket, American Heart Association Donate Hundreds of Sporting Balls to Heard ElementaryThank you to Enmarket for their generous donation to Virginia Heard Elementary School of over 200 sporting balls of all kinds to promote physical activity. The American Heart Association and Enmarket collaborated under the Southern Coast Heart Ball program to donate sports balls to help students in the Savannah area live more active and healthy lives.
11 | June 2024Challenge Accepted: JROTC cadets rappel Hunter Army Airfield's 50-foot towerKudos to Lt. Col. David London and the team who lead our JROTC cadets through the Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp this summer! This year’s JLDC experience included science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, in addition to rappelling and other expected activities. This year, the academy focused on the aviation industry and included visits to Gulfstream, the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, and the aviation campuses of Savannah Technical College, Georgia Southern University, and Georgia Tech. https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/local/2024/06/06/hunter-army-airfield-cadets-take-part-in-stem-academy-learn-about-aviation/73997105007/https://www.wjcl.com/article/jrotc-stem-academy-underway-this-week-in-savannah/61008057
June 2024 | 12Secret Sauce: “We Are A Family,” says Groves High School principalIf you asked the “Head Rebel,” Dr. Monique Hazzard-Robinson, what the secret sauce is for holding Groves High School together during this time of flux, she will answer, “we are a family.”Hazzard-Robinson has been principal of Robert W. Groves High School since 2020. She has navigated the school through the tumultuous storm of the pandemic, and the demolition of their school building.Ask her about the next ingredient, she will likely tell you, “I want to be the boss that I wish that I had all of the time. We are in this building to support these kids, we are here for the same reason — the kids — we are in this together.”https://www.connectsavannah.com/news/secret-sauce-we-are-a-family-says-groves-high-school-principal-22239649
13 | June 2024WOODVILLE-TOMPKINS HIGH SCHOOL: Preparing women for successWoodville-Tompkins High School is training the next generation of diverse and fierce women who will shatter that ceiling.Serani Hassan, a sophomore at Woodville-Tompkins High School, is not what you might expect in an automotive pathway program - wearing a hijab as she is under the hood of cars that she is working on, next to her male counterparts. Of the automotive pathway, Hassan says, “Funny enough, it wasn’t my first choice, I wasn’t expecting to get into the automotive program, but then once I got there, after my first class, I couldn’t stop, I was just so in love with the class, I was so in love with what I was learning.”Of the automotive pathway, Hassan says, “Funny enough, it wasn’t my first choice, I wasn’t expecting to get into the automotive program, but then once I got there, after my first class, I couldn’t stop, I was just so in love with the class, I was so in love with what I was learning.”https://www.connectsavannah.com/community/woodville-tompkins-high-school-preparing-women-for-success-21991829