The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System announced Sunday afternoon that schools would dismiss early on Monday and be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Private K-12 schools as well as public and private colleges and universities have also shared updates about class cancellations and changes to operation schedules due to the pending impact of Tropical Storm Debby.
Here's a break down of early dismissals and closures of schools, college, and universities throughout Chatham County, as well as the Live Oak Public Libraries (LOPL) as they all maintain communications with the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).
10-20 inches possible:Heavy rain from Debby expected to begin in Savannah area Monday
SCCPSS early dismissal and school closings
All SCCPSS schools will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7. Remote learning will not be required during both days.
SCCPSS plans to make facility and operational assessments after the storm passes. Regular operations are expected to resume Thursday, Aug. 8. The district asks that families "monitor SCCPSS.com, our social media channels, and all district calls and emails for more information on operational changes as the storm moves through our area."
SCCPSS also announced early dismissal schedules for Monday Aug. 5:
11:30 a.m. dismissals
- all SCCPSS high schools except for Building Bridges High School Academy, 3609 Hopkins St., Savannah
- George A. Mercer Middle School at Davis-Edwards-Harris Educational Complex, 100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Garden City
- Godley Station K-8 School, 2135 Benton Blvd.
- Building Bridges Middle School, 3609 Hopkins St.
- Learning Academy at Herschel V. Jenkins High School, 1800 E Derenne Ave.
11:40 a.m. dismissals
- Middle Schools (except Mercer Middle School)
- Building Bridges High School Academy, 3609 Hopkins St.
- Wings Elementary School, 400 East Broad St.
12:15 p.m. dismissals
- Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, 220 E 49th St., Savannah
- Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts, 649 W Jones St.
- Isle of Hope K-8 School (includes Learning Academy), 100 Parkersburg Road
- Georgetown K-8 School, 1516 King George Blvd.
- Herman W. Hesse K-8 School, 9116 Whitfield Ave.
- New Hampstead K-8, 1700 Highgate Blvd.
- Casimir Pulaski K-8 School, 1001 Tibet Ave.
- Bloomingdale Elementary School, 101 E Main St., Bloomingdale
1:15 p.m. dismissals
- Remainder of SCCPSS Elementary Schools not mentioned above
- Rice Creek K-8 School, 100 Mulberry Ave.,Port Wentworth
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Chatham County private school updates
While a number of Savannah's private schools have not yet started classes for the 2024-2025 school year, the few that have started shared these updates regarding the pending inclement weather.
Benedictine Military School, 6502 Seawright Drive
Benedictine Military School announced a half-day schedule for Monday, Aug. 5, with the campus closing at 3 p.m. The school shared in an emailed statement that it anticipates "asynchronous learning" for Tuesday and Wednesday with the potential for Thursday, as well, pending a "facilities review."
The school plans for an in-person return on Friday.
Chatham Academy at Royce Learning Center,4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.
The Chatham Academy at the Royce Learning Center will close Monday, Aug. 5. at noon, according to a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon.
It will remained closed both Tuesday and Wednesday. Tutoring has been cancelled Monday through Wednesday. Updates will be provided after the storm passes.
Memorial Day School, 6500 Habersham St.
Memorial Day School announced on its website that it, along with its Childcare Center, will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday, Aug. 8, is now the first day of school.
Calvary Day School, 4625 Waters Ave.
As of Monday morning, Calvary Day School is monitoring the storm.
A representative confirmed that the school has not made a decision at this time about postponing or altering plans for Thursday, Aug. 8, which is the first day of school.
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Georgia Southern University to 'reduce operations'
On Sunday afternoon, Georgia Southern University (GSU) posted a storm update on its University Alert Center.
The statement said, "Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of Georgia Southern’s students, faculty and staff, the University is moving to reduced operations on Monday, Aug. 5 due to Tropical Storm Debby."
Only essentially personal will be on its campuses beginning as follows:
- Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus - Noon, Monday
- Statesboro Campus - 5 p.m., Monday
Reduced operations with only essential personnel on campus will continue Tuesday, Aug. 6, and Wednesday, Aug. 7. GSU will make an “all-clear” announcement through its Eagle Alert system once all campuses are determined to be safe.
GSU's notice also states that "students living on campus are welcome to shelter in place in their residence halls." Changes to check-in procedures for early move-ins on Monday, Aug. 5 have been altered for some students. The alert advised that students with move-ins scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will receive further instructions. so GSU has requested that students check their emails.
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Savannah Technical College class cancellations and closures
Savannah Technical College (STC) classes will be cancelled and campuses will be closed starting at 3 p.m. Monday afternoon. Cancellations and closures remain in effect for Tuesday and Wednesday, as well.
STC's emergency notice asked that students, faculty, and staff monitor email and phone messages from the college as well as check for updates at www.savannahtech.edu/emergency and on social media channels.
Savannah State University
Savannah State University (SSU) shared an alert on its Facebook page Sunday afternoon stating that "general campus operations will be suspended on Monday, August 5th, and Tuesday, August 6th." Essential emergency employees were encouraged to "follow guidance from their respective area leaders regarding reporting times and locations."
Wednesday is now a planned telework day for some SSU employees. The university has also cancelled all campus events including its "Faculty/Staff Institute," which it plans to reschedule for a later date.
The notice encouraged students, staff and faculty to stay connected to emergency alerts and updates through Everbridge alerts, university email, and social media channels.
Live Oak Libraries will close Monday afternoon
LOPL announced Monday morning that all libraries will close at 12 p.m. Monday and remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The public can check for updates at www.liveoakpl.org or on LOPL's social media channels. LOPL foresees reopening for normal operating hours on Thursday.
Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com.
