News Summary
The Savannah-Chatham County School System is welcoming students back with new attendance policies and safety measures for the upcoming school year. Key initiatives include refined attendance recovery options and enhanced safety protocols in collaboration with local law enforcement, ensuring security while prioritizing student success. With a focus on accountability, students face potential ‘no credit’ designations for excessive absences, while safety measures like reactivated speed cameras aim to protect the 3,000 students walking to school daily.
Savannah – The Savannah-Chatham County School System is set to welcome students back to the classroom on Monday, introducing new attendance policies and safety measures aimed at enhancing student success and security this school year. These updates reflect the district’s commitment to balancing support for families while maintaining accountability for student attendance.
Among the new initiatives is a refined attendance recovery option designed for students who may have missed classes previously. This policy includes a new attendance waiver process, which will be available for families facing extenuating circumstances. Consequently, students who are chronically absent may receive a “no credit” designation under school policies, emphasizing the importance of regular attendance as a key to success.
Chief Academic Officer Derrick Butler stressed that daily attendance is crucial for students’ educational achievements. To facilitate this, families can now utilize a synchronous remote learning option for up to five days each school year. In addition to these attendance changes, district officials plan to provide further information throughout the year, ensuring families remain informed.
Safety measures have also been introduced as part of the school’s back-to-school preparations. Local police and school authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution in school zones, especially since approximately 3,000 students walk to school each day. To enhance safety, speed cameras in school zones will be reactivated following last year’s alarming reports of over 31,000 speeding violations in unincorporated Chatham County.
These speed cameras will activate 45 minutes before school starts and will remain operational throughout the school day until 30 minutes after dismissal. Furthermore, a new Georgia law mandates that schools be equipped with panic buttons to improve emergency communication with law enforcement, showcasing a proactive approach to student safety.
In addition to panic buttons, the district is upgrading school technology, including the installation of audio enhancement intercom systems with duress alarms to support timely and effective response to emergencies. Additionally, authorities can now verify if visitors are registered sex offenders upon entering school premises, further reinforcing campus security.
The Board of Education Police Department (BOEPD) will have 68 officers on-site throughout the school year, providing an increased safety presence aimed at fostering a secure learning environment. District officials request that families remain patient during the first week of school, as transportation delays may occur as routines are established.
All students will have access to free breakfast and lunch this year, eliminating the need for completing free or reduced lunch forms. In a move to enhance school choice, a pilot program for transporting students attending Choice Program schools is also being considered.
As students in grades K-3 engage with the Amira reading program, the initiative aims to assess their reading abilities and provide personalized learning strategies. Furthermore, parents will have access to PowerSchool, an online platform that allows them to track their children’s attendance and assignments in real-time, facilitating better communication between schools and families.
The district continues to prioritize support for students with specialized learning needs or disabilities, encouraging direct communication with their assigned schools to ensure assistance is readily available. Additional services, including wellness and mental health assessments, will be offered through the Wellness Center, underscoring the district’s commitment to holistic student well-being as the new school year begins.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Savannah-Chatham Co. Students Head Back to School Monday
- Wikipedia: School Attendance
- Savannah Now: SCCPSS Back to School Insights
- Google Search: Savannah-Chatham County School System
- WTOC: School Lunch & Attendance Policy Changes
- Google Scholar: Education Attendance Policies
- Savannah Now: SCCPSS Attendance Policy Revisions Review
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Attendance Policy
- WMTV: School District Changes on Doctor’s Notes
- Google News: Savannah Chatham School Policies
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
