🌱 High Discipline Rates At SCCPSS + Residents Aim To Block Hotels

Hello again, everybody. Joyce Nash here with your Thursday edition of the Savannah Patch newsletter, full of all the community information you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 91 Low: 74.

Here are the top three stories today in Savannah:

1. The Savannah Morning News has taken an in-depth look at the discipline rates for Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). According to data from the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, SCCPSS has a discipline rate of 17.5 percent for its 38,963 enrolled students, which is among the highest rates for similarly-sized districts. Despite the high discipline rates — which are largely for "student incivility," fighting, or attendance — a recent parent survey showed that "school safety" remains a top concern. The district is currently facing a lawsuit from former Chief of Schools Sheila Garcia-Wilder who claims she was terminated after speaking out about disproportionate discipline for Black and special needs students. (Savannah Morning News)
2. The neighborhood associations for the historic Victorian and Streetcar districts are seeking to have their communities included within the city's Hotel Development Overlay District. This move would block the development of hotels in these communities. The associations are petitioning to prohibit both large and small hotels, but not short-term vacation rentals or inns with up to 15 rooms. There is support for the petition among residents in both neighborhoods, who have concerns about the potential negative impacts of possible hotel development in their area. (Connect Savannah)
3. The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society announced that the 14th annual Camp Buddy summer camp for Chatham County will be held from Jul. 10-14 at St. Andrews School on nearby Wilmington Island. Camp Buddy is a summer camp for children with Down's syndrome that aims to support campers for the upcoming school year. Camp activities include arts, crafts, cooking, time management, and physical and occupational therapy. Activities are designed to promote learning, health, and wellness, as well as the importance of community giving. (Savannah Tribune)

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Today in Savannah:

Thursday, July 6

• Meditation Group At Cosmic Corner (6:00 PM)
• Acute Inflections At The Clyde Venue (7:00 PM)
• Reign Supreme: The Yes Queens! Of Savannah Tour At El-Rocko Lounge (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• There will be a Youth Football Expo at Dick's Sporting Goods on Saturday, Jul. 15 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Attendees will find information on different local football teams and organizations and will also receive a 20 percent discount on sports equipment. (Chatham County, Georgia Government via Facebook)
• The Savannah Children's Theatre will be presenting The Phantom of the Opera at the Savannah Theatre from Jul. 7-16. Production Designer David I. L. Poole said that audiences can look forward to swooping chandeliers and a giant elephant at the local production of this long-time Broadway favorite. (Connect Savannah)
• In case you missed it, Visit Savannah recently put a spotlight on five local breakfast spots. B. Matthews is serving up omelets and hashbrowns in the Historic District, and Huey's Restaurant is a well-known staple on River Street for beignets and praline sauce. (Visit Savannah via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Joyce Nash

About me: Joyce is a freelance writer and poet whose work has appeared in the Hello Gloria newsletter and Nine Cloud Journal. Her background ranges from journalism to fitness instruction and spans the east coast to the West. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.