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In case you missed it, here’s a recap of recent media coverage and content posted to sccpss.comAtom Smashers Compete in GHSA Class AAA State Championship

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 | March 2024Message from the SuperintendentBoard RecapStudent of the MonthAtom Smashers Finish Season as GHSA Class AAA State Runner-UpWoodville-Tompkins Educators Recognized by Foreign Language AssociationsFive SCCPSS Schools Named A.P. Honor SchoolsDistrict Spelling Bee Winner Wins Region CompetitionStrategic Plan RevisionsWomen of Substance Art Exhibit on Display at Godley Station K-8Student Artwork Displayed at Bull Street LibrarySCCPSS Celebrates Navy WeekAttendance Matters234567789101112

As we continue with the second edition of our new and improved newsletter, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the continued support and dedication of our entire community. It is through your unwavering commitment to education and collaboration that we will achieve greatness together.In this edition, we celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty, and staff. From academic accomplishments to artistic endeavors, our school family shines brightly with talent and passion. Each success story is a testament to the hard work and determination of everyone involved in our district. As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie before us. We’re now on the “fast track” to graduation and we have so much more to do! Our commitment to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment remains steadfast, and I am confident that together, we will continue to innovate and inspire.I encourage you to explore the contents of this newsletter, as it highlights the incredible accomplishments of our students and staff. I hope you find inspiration in these stories and join me in celebrating the collective achievements of our district.Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students and the future of our community.Warm regards,Superintendent’s MessageMarch 2024 | 2Join Our Mailing List!Would you like to have a copy of our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox? If so, send an email to our Communications Team at communications@sccpss.com and they will get you added. Visit us online at sccpss.com, and follow us on social media to keep up with the great things happening in our district!

3 | March 2024Video highlights from the March Board Meeting from Public Information Manager Sheila Blanco. CLICK HERE TO WATCH.March Board Meeting RecapStrategic Plan Refined Strategies UpdateAn update on revisions to the Strategic Plan were presented to the Board. The presentation included an overview of updated strategies to meet the revised Performance Objectives in the updated Informal Meeting: Click here to learn moreThe plan was adopted at the Regular Meeting: Click here to learn moreNational School Nutrition and School Breakfast WeekTextThe Board proclaimed the week of March 4th – 8th, 2024 be recognized as National School Nutrition and School Breakfast Week in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and that every citizen join us throughout the entire month of March to recognize the lasting contributions of our school nutrition staff. Click here to learn moreNational School Social Workers WeekThe Board proclaimed March 3-9, 2024, as National School Social Worker Week in recognition of the fact that School social workers are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school. Click here to learn moreUpcoming EventsWednesday, March 20, 2024 | Finance Advisory Committee Meeting | Whitney Administrative Complex | 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | Board Accountability Committee Meeting | Whitney Administrative Complex | 3:30 p.m.Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | Board Retreat | Georgia Southern Armstrong Ballroom | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Audit Committee Meeting | Whitney Administrative Center | 8:00 a.m.

Superintendent’s Student of the MonthALLEN ZHENG, H.V. Jenkins High School Our Student of the Month for February is a senior at Jenkins High School. This outstanding young man is an AP Scholar with Distinction. He is Vice President of the Robotics team and serves as its Lead Mechanical Driver. He is a member of the Model UN teams which earned Distinguished Delegation in 2023 and Honorable Delegation in 2022; is secretary of the Math Team, and Vice President of the National Honor Society. This student has a heart for community service. He has participated in the Robotics team Beach Sweep and is a key member of “Socktober” hosting a school-wide donation drive to provide socks for the homeless. He has taken the lead in mentoring “rookie” Robotics team members, he started a tutoring program for Coastal Middle School, and he volunteers at Oatland Island! Our honored student started his education in China. His family moved to the United States when he was just 4 and he had to start all over by learning English. After some work in our ESOL program, he began to master his new language and last spring received a 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Language examination. His nominator, Ms. Angelina Muskin, says: “He consistently proves he is an active student by bringing in practice work for problems he completes outside of class. This reinforces his knowledge and passion for the content, which is reflected in his ‘A+’ average…. He shows great initiative in all phases of the Jenkin’s Robotic program. He will be missed when he graduates.”Allen plans to attend Georgia Tech in the Aerospace Engineering College, and one day hopes to lead aerospace projects. Again, congratulations to Allen, his family, and the entire Jenkins High School family! And special thanks to nominator Angelina Muskin. March 2024 | 4“Success isn’t dependent on what’s given to you but what you are willing to put in for the success."Allen ZhengH.V. Jenkins High School

5 | March 2024Atom Smashers Finish Season as GHSA Class AAA State Runner-UpOn Friday, March 8th, 2024, the Sol. C. Johnson boys basketball Team played Sandy Creek High School in Macon for the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AAA Boys Basketball Championship. The game finished at 74-49, and the Atom Smashers closed out the season as state runner-up. This was the first time in over ten years that the Johnson High School boys basketball team made it to the championship level. In the school’s history, only three teams have brought home the championship trophy. This season, our Atom Smashers took an unexpected run. In the beginning of the season, the Atom Smashers dropped a few games. This was then followed by the team defeating three straight-ranked teams, all while being unranked themselves. We want to extend our congratulations to the Atom Smasher players and coaches for this outstanding accomplishment. The Atom Smashers have made the Savannah-Chatham community proud, and we look forward to seeing the great work they continue to do.

March 2024 | 6Woodville-Tompkins Teacher and Principal Recognized By Foreign Language AssociationsIn addition to that recognition, Woodville-Tompkins Principal Alfred McGuire has been honored with the Administrative Support of World Languages Award from the Foreign Language Association of Georgia this year. He received a plaque at the Association's luncheon in Atlanta on Saturday, March 9, 2024.The FLAG Administrator of the Year award recognizes a Georgia Dean, Superintendent, Principal, or other administrator who has evidenced strong and overt support for World languages. The person who nominated Mr. Mcguire was quoted as saying “[His] support has allowed our department to grow and be innovative in the teaching of World Languages." Furthermore, his “leadership and impact for World Languages has extended beyond [the] building … Our school and district always count on his commitment to not only participate in but also host rich professional development, workshops, and conferences at his facility." The Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) has named teacher Bertha Delgadillo, Teacher of the Year. This honor comes after Mrs. Delgadillo was named Foreign Language Association of Georgia (FLAG) Teacher of the Year last year. Mrs. Delgadillo teaches Spanish at Woodville-Tompkins.Each state in the thirteen state SCOLT region may send one state language Teacher of the Year to the regional conference. She will now advance to the national competition sponsored by ACTFL. During the virtual ACTFL convention later this year, she and other regional teachers will vie for the title of ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year. The teacher selected for that honor will serve as the national spokesperson for language learning in 2024.

Five SCCPSS High Schools Named Advanced Placement (A.P.) Honor SchoolsRegion 8 Spelling Bee Winner The Georgia Department of Education has named five Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools for 2024. AP exams are administered by the College Board AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college-level learning at the high school level. Learn more here. STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School student Deverell Goldson was named the winner of the Region 8 Spelling Bee Competition over the weekend and will now move on to the state competition next month.On January 23, 2024, the 8th grader was named the winner of the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools District Spelling Bee which earned him the right to compete in the Regional Spelling Bee held on Saturday, February 24th on Georgia Southern's Armstrong Campus. The State Spelling Bee competition will be held on March 15th at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Deverell will compete against the winners from 10 regions throughout the state to earn the right to try to earn the right advance to the National Spelling Bee later this year.7 | March 2024AP AccessJenkins High SchoolNew Hampstead High School AP ChallengeIslands High School SharksSavannah Arts AcademyAP ExpansionNew Hampstead High SchoolWoodville TompkinsAP HumanitiesSavannah Arts AcademyAP Humanities AchievementSavannah Arts AcademyAP School of DistinctionSavannah Arts AcademyAP STEMJenkins High SchoolIslands High SchoolSavannah Arts AcademyAP STEM AchievementJenkins High SchoolSavannah Arts Academy

March 2024 | 8Board Approves Revisions to District Strategic PlanAt the March 6th regular meeting o the Board of Public Education, revisions to the District’s strategic plan, The Way Forward 2026, were approved. As a transitional time within the district with the installation of the 25th Superintendent of Schools, Dr. S. Denise Watts, it was important to revisit the original strategic plan and thoughtfully engage in the annual continuous improvement review process of this living document to incorporate the mission and vision of our new Superintendent. Dr. Watts arrived in July 2023 with a clearly defined Entry Plan and an intent to be the #1 student in the district for her first 100 days, listening and learning as she acclimated to her new role in our diverse and expansive district. Her observations were presented in The First 100 Days Entry Plan Report, the Listen and Learn Report.Our mission was to refine the strategic plan to directly connect the key points and noted challenges outlined in the Listen and Learn Report with enhanced performance objectives and renewed key performance indices. The revisions to the District’s Strategic Plan, The Way Forward 2026 (2.0), is the culmination of numerous meetings and thought partnerships to determine the best path forward – to determine how we effectively address challenges and create new opportunities for growth and achievement across the district. By addressing challenges and strategically paving an intentional path forward, we have charted the key drivers for district success – for the success of our students, teachers, staff, and the community – and the transformation of the organizational climate and culture of our district.To learn more about the Strategic Plan revisions, click here.

9 | March 2024Massie Heritage Center Hosts “Women of Substance” Exhibit at Godley Station K-8On February 27th, 2024, the Massie Heritage Center launched a new exhibit titled “Women of Substance” at Godley Station K-8 School. The exhibit consists of twenty hand-painted portraits by artist Ana Maria Leonardi in honor of March being Women’s History Month. The collection of portraits consists of historically significant women of Savannah, dating all the way back to the colonial era. The exhibit is on display in the Learning Commons at Godley Station K-8 School through the end of March. In addition to the display of portraits, lesson plans were developed to incorporate the exhibit into the topics our students are learning about in the classroom. The lesson plans guide students through the exhibit and encourages them to explore the impacts each of these women made on our community.Student Artwork Displayed at Bull Street LibraryMarch is Youth Art Month! Artwork from students at schools across the district will be on display at the Live Oak Public Libraries Bull Street location, 2002 Bull Street, through March 27th. Youth Art Month is an annual national celebration which emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality art programs in schools.

March 2024 | 10Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Celebrates Navy Week 2024The U.S. Navy brought Navy Week to Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools this year for the second time in history. While Sailors have participated in the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade for years, 2022 marked the first time Savannah was chosen to be a part of the Navy Week celebration since the creation of the program. Our high schools were happy to welcome them back this year! Savannah Navy Week brought between 50 and 75 Sailors from across the nation to emphasize why the Navy matters to Savannah. Those sailors participated in education and community outreach events throughout the city, including in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.The Navy's senior executive host this year was Rear Admiral David M. Buzzetti, Deputy Chief of Staff, Reserve Component, NO93, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Buzzetti is a native of Orlando, Florida. He spoke to JROTC students from throughout the District on Thursday, March 14th.Savannah Navy Week featured in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements throughout the week that included:● Navy Day – Mini-Career Fair focusing on STEM/STEAM Careers● Navy Band Southeast Performances● Virtual Reality Mobile Tour “Nimitz" - 18-Wheel Truck allowing students to participate in a virtual reality view of what it is like to be on a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft (SWCC) mission. ● And much more…Navy Weeks are the service's signature outreach program coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO). Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's flagship outreach effort to regions without a significant Navy presence, with over 250 Navy Weeks held in more than 80 different U.S. markets. See some photos from the week's events here.

11 | March 2024Get 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.com#AttendTodayAchieveTomorrowIn the journey of education, one fundamental aspect often overlooked is consistent attendance. Whether in kindergarten or high school, regular attendance plays a pivotal role in shaping a student's academic success and overall well-being.Attendance is the cornerstone of academic success! Being present in class isn't just about filling seats; it's about seizing opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Each day matters in shaping your educational journey.Regular attendance lays the foundation for academic achievement. Attending school consistently ensures that students are present for vital lessons, classroom discussions, and interactive activities that foster learning. Each day missed represents an opportunity lost to grasp new concepts, engage with peers, and receive valuable guidance from educators. By prioritizing attendance, we empower students to stay on track academically, contributing to their long-term success. Click here to learn more.

March 2024 | 1223rd Annual New Beginnings Youth Art ExhibitionThe New Beginning exhibition is a collaboration between Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, the Savannah Cultural Arts Center, The Black Heritage Festival, and The Savannah (GA) Chapter of The Links. The Links sponsors a juried visual art competition for middle and high school students in the Savannah-Chatham County GA area and the theme is chosen yearly by The Savannah Black Heritage Festival. This year's theme is "The Festival Lives So Our Legacy Thrives". Awards were as follows:Best of Show: Amira Shabazz, Savannah Arts HS 1st: Maya Ny’Cole, Savannah ArtsHS 2nd: Jun Chen, New HampsteadHS 3rd: Fernanda Contreras, New HampsteadMS 1st: Akira Cespedes, STEM Academy MS 2nd: Arianna Miller, Garrison K-8MS 3rd: Georgetown K-8Artwork was on display through March 16th at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. Click here for a virtual tour of the exhibit.