Due to potential impacts caused by Hurricane Helene, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) announced Wednesday afternoon that schools will dismiss early on Thursday, Sept. 26 and be closed for in-person instruction on Friday, Sept. 27.
Additionally, private schools, colleges, and universities throughout Chatham County, as well as the Live Oak Public Libraries (LOPL) have begun to share operational impacts due to the storm as they all continue to monitor communications from the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).
This is a developing story and we will update this posting as more information about subsequent closings or changes to operations are announced throughout the afternoon and evening.
SCCPSS will dismiss early Thursday, close Friday
According to the district’s statement, issued at 2:24 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, “to ensure there are no dangers associated with the approaching storm on Thursday and to allow families and staff time to prepare – SCCPSS will operate on an early release day on Thursday for students.”
The district will shift to remote learning on Friday.
Thursday SCCPSS early dismissal schedules
11:30 a.m.
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All High Schools (except Building Bridges High School)
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George A. Mercer Middle School
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Godley Station K-8 School
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Building Bridges Middle School
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Learning Academy @ Herschel V. Jenkins High School
11:40 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
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Charles Ellis Montessori Academy
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Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts
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Isle of Hope K-8 School and Learning Academy @ IOH
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Georgetown K-8 School
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Herman W. Hesse K-8 School
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New Hampstead K-8 School
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Casimir Pulaski K-8 School
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Bloomingdale Elementary School
1:15 p.m.
School officials asked that families monitor the district’s official communication channels, which include the parent notification system, website postings at sccpss.com, and the social media channels for
Hurricane Helene impact: Storm could bring tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rain to Savannah area Thursday
Chatham County private school updates
Here’s the latest from Savannah’s private schools regarding the pending inclement weather.
Benedictine Military School, 6502 Seawright Drive
Benedictine Military School announced that it will have a special schedule on Thursday with dismissal at 3:13 p.m.
Friday will be a late start with more information forthcoming to families from school officials.
Benedictine’s Friday night football game against Ware County High School has been postponed until Monday Sept. 30 with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
Chatham Academy at Royce Learning Center,4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.
The Chatham Academy at the Royce Learning Center shared a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon stating it will close Thursday at 12:45 p.m. and remain closed Friday.
The statement said, “There will be NO TUTORING or ACE classes on Thursday or Friday,” as well. Families will be sent updates as Chatham Academy monitors the storm.
Memorial Day School, 6500 Habersham St.
Memorial Day School has yet to post an announcement or respond to a request for an update regarding potential impacts due to Hurricane Helene.
Calvary Day School, 4625 Waters Ave.
Calvary Day School has yet to post an announcement or respond to a request for an update regarding potential impacts due to Hurricane Helene.
Savannah Country Day School, 824 Stillwood Drive
Savannah Country Day School (SCDS) officials communicated Wednesday afternoon that they are closely monitoring Hurricane Helene’s path.
Due to the expected severe weather, SCDS has advised of the following changes for Thursday afternoon/evening:
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All after-school activities, including practices and rehearsals, are canceled.
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There will be no AfterCare.
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All JK-12 students need to be off campus by 3:30 p.m.
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The Little School will close early at 4 p.m.
As for Friday’s schedule, SDCS will provided an update to families by 6 p.m. Thursday.
Prepare with sand and bags: Savannah and Chatham governments providing sand and bags ahead of Hurricane Helene
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University (GSU) has yet to respond to a request for updates and has not yet posted a storm update on its University Alert Center.
Savannah Technical College
Savannah Technical College (STC) has yet to issue a formal statement but officials stated one is forthcoming.
STC’s students, faculty, and staff, as usual, should monitor email and phone messages from the college as well as check for updates at savannahtech.edu/emergency and on social media channels.
Savannah State University
Savannah State University (SSU) officials said they were monitoring the storm and that its Public Safety department will meet with the leadership team Wednesday evening to “asses and provide further direction.”
As of Wednesday afternoon SSU issued an internal notice to students, staff and faculty, noting that the school was monitoring the storm and all parties should make preparations ahead of the storm. SSU encouraged stakeholders to sign up for the SSU Emergency Alert system, Everbridge. The notice provided additional safety tips such as purchasing a flashlight and extra batteries or securing one from housing staff if students lived on campus.
SSU also advised students to pack a “backpack-size bag with necessities to include your charging devices and chargers, prescription medicine, several days’ worth of clothing, toiletries, textbooks, and other essential items.”
Live Oak Libraries closed
Live Oak Public Libraries (LOPL) also announced Wednesday afternoon that all libraries will be closed Thursday Sept. 26 and Friday Sept. 27.
The public can check for further updates at liveoakpl.org or on LOPL’s social media channels.
Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah schools, colleges, and local libraries closing due to Helene
