Three Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools have received National School of Excellence Awards from the PTA. The three SCCPSS schools recognized for their leadership and accomplishments nationwide in building strong, effective family-school partnerships are Marshpoint Elementary, Hesse K-8 and Coastal Middle School. National PTA School of Excellence is a recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
Through the National PTA School of Excellence program, PTAs partner with their schools to examine how families feel the school measures up to the research-based indicators of the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. PTAs and schools then work together to address barriers and open up new ways for families to support student success. The National PTA School of Excellence designation is awarded when a PTA and school have achieved a high level of family engagement or when a PTA and school have made substantive, positive improvement in families' perceptions since the beginning of the year.
In addition to those prestigious awards, two SCCPSS schools have been recognized with the Model PTA designation. Hesse K8 and New Hampstead High School have been awarded the recognition which is given to schools that encourage PTA leaders to collaborate with school staff and strengthen their family engagement initiatives and goals. The Model PTA has been and continues to be a relevant family engagement resource. The Model PTA originated in Savannah-Chatham County and was developed in part by former SCCPSS Superintendent, Thomas B. Lockamy, Jr. Ed. D.
Other school awards include the Charles Ellis Montessori Academy PTA being named First Place winner as an Outstanding Local Unit at the K-8 level and New Hampstead High's PTSA taking First Place as an Outstanding Local Unit at the High School Level.
In addition to the school awards, four SCCPSS students and two SCCPSS staff members won individual awards.
Jamie VandeArk of the STEM Academy at Bartlett was recognized as the 2nd place award winner for Outstanding Nurse in 2020. John Hoyman of New Hampstead High was named the second place winner for 2020 Outstanding Educator.
Four students were recognized in the 2021 Georgia State PTA Reflections program:
2nd Grade Charles Ellis Montessori student Charleigh Conner placed second in 3D Visual Art.
7th Grade Charles Ellis Montessori student Kaitlyn Duckworth and 12th Grade New Hampstead High student Haley Bruce each placed third in their respective divisions for Photography.
And, 5th Grade Charles Ellis Montessori student Maya Lilja-Vazquez placed third in the 2D Visual Art competition.
Congratulations to all on their accomplishments!
