Veritas Academy, meeting in the heart of the Savannah historic district, is committed to providing a Christ-centered, classical and covenantal Pre-K through 12th grade education. “That in everything Christ might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18) –Even, and especially, in the hearts and minds of our children.

Mission: The mission of Veritas Academy is to assist parents in teaching their children to think, speak, and act Christianly, and to seek, discern, and apply Truth all their lives by providing an education of excellence that is Christ-centered, classical, and covenantal.

Veritas Visits: Please drop by to observe classrooms, meet teachers, review curriculum, ask questions and get answers! For more information please contact Veritas Academy at 912-238-1222 or visit www.VeritasSavannah.org .

Veritas Visits

9:00-10:00 am

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Tuesdays, January 7 & 21, 2014

Stay connected with Veritas Academy by liking their page on Facebook here.  On Twitter @VeritasGryphons.

Veritas Academy , Pre-K through 12th grade, located at the Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull St., Savannah 31401, 912-238-1222, www.VeritasSavannah.org Veritas Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

You’re invited to Maggie’s Morning School McTeacher’s Night” @ McDonald’s on Eisenhower and Waters in Savannah.
Tuesday, November 19
5-8 p.m.
The  3rd annual McDonald’s McTeachers Night will include facepainting, a play space, and raffle prizes! 20% of all sales between 5 and 8pm are donated to Maggie’s Morning School. Kids can see their teachers work the counter & visit with other families.

Maggie’s Morning School is a NAEYC accredited private, non-profit pre-school at 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405.

Mission Maggie’s Morning School provides a developmentally appropriate, quality learning experience for a diverse student body in a safe, creative, and nurturing environment. The focus is on the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each and every child through hands on activities and support by working together with families, well-trained teachers, and community resources.

Description Maggie’s Morning School has been serving Savannah since 1982. The school has 2, 3, and 5 half day and full day programs for children 18 months (by Sept. 1) through age four, and the Bright From the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten program. Maggie’s provides an exceptional and unique learning environment in order to facilitate social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in each child.

For the school year, Maggie’s serves children ages 18 months (by Sept 1) through 3 classes of State-Funded (FREE) Pre-K. Maggie’s Morning School in Savannah offers part-time preschool for 4-year-olds.

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here. Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Harvest Dinner @  St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island

Friday, November 22
6:00 PM

Eat In or Take Out

$15/person

Chicken Tetrazzini, Veggies & Dessert

(Vegetarian Available)

St. Andrew’s new dining partner, Thrive Cafe, is preparing a slow cooked, farm to table meal with dessert provided by Rainy Day Bakery. Entertainment by St. Andrew’s student vocalists. All proceeds to benefit Children Inspiring Hope, a non-profit founded by St. Andrew’s Alum, Amy Gaylor, which seeks to help students develop intercultural understandings and respect through school partnerships in the United States and Ghana. Learn more at http://www.childreninspiringhope.org

Reserve your spot for dinner online by clicking here.

Thrive Café provides all student & faculty meals at St. Andrew’s School, a private independent school. The partnership is designed to bring healthy, affordable food to the Pre K – Grade 12 school on a daily basis.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Come find out all that St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island has to offer your child.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

OPEN HOUSE for Prospective Families

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

St. Andrew’s School

Pre-K 3 through Grade 12

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

It’s official!

St. Andrew’s School – Savannah, GA received the Apple Distinguished Award this month for the 2012-13 school year.

Approximately 42 private schools in the nation were given this designation based on innovation, leadership and educational excellence.

Congrats to the entire St. Andrew’s community!

St. Andrew’s, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school, is located on Wilmington Island. For more information on the Savannah private International Baccalaureate World School visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Don’t miss the Little Lambs Consignment Sale this Friday & Saturday Oct. 25-26 benefitting First Presbyterian Preschool on Washington Avenue in Savannah’s Ardsley Park.

Sale items include FALL/WINTER clothing (sizes NB to 14) and other children’s items including shoes, accessories, bedding, art work, baby necessities, maternity clothing and more!

Like Little Lambs on Facebook by clicking here!

Sale location
First Presbyterian Church
520 Washington Avenue
Savannah, GA

Sale dates
Thursday, Oct. 24, 5:30-7:30 PM– Preview sale for volunteers and sellers only
Sale opens to the public Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26 2013.

9 AM-2 PM, 5:30-7:30 PM Fri. Oct. 25

9 AM -Noon Sat. Oct. 26

Little Lambs Fall 2013 Consignment Sale, First Presbyterian Preschool, 520 Washington Ave., Savannah, http://fpcschool.com/little-lambs/ On Facebook here.

This sounds like something not to be missed for those of us with beginning readers: a free presentation on “What every early childhood parent should know about how to encourage early literacy”.

When: Fri. Nov. 1, 9:15 AM Coffee with Meet and Greet; 10 AM Presentation.

Where: St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah (Wilmington Island) 31410

About the presenter:

Tricia Yates is a prekindergarten teacher and literacy leaders at St. Andrew’s School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education, a master’s degree in reading and has 18 years of experience as a Title 1 Reading Coordinator working with early childhood through 12th grade students.

This informative session will focus on an overview of literacy development in early childhood, including resources and strategies to give your child the building blocks to develop strong reading skills and a love for literacy.

RSVP to Christine Sapp, email sappc@saintschool.com or call 912.897.4941 ext 400.

St. Andrew’s, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school, is located on Wilmington Island. For more information on the Savannah private International Baccalaureate World School visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Dynamic new preschool, located at the Jewish Educational Alliance in Savannah

JEA Preschool Savannah will add a two day a week program for 16 month olds through two year olds on Tuesday and Thursday to its current preschool schedule. The new preschool, located at the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, opened its doors in August to serve young children and their families by providing premiere preschool programming.

JEA Preschool Savannah was created to provide for the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The age-appropriate curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, will focus on literacy, writing, math, science, music, art and movement all within the special facilities of the JEA.

The dynamic preschool includes spacious classrooms and an innovative outdoor space where children can explore, interact with and connect to the environment. The preschool’s core curriculum will be available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily as early as 7 a.m. and until 6 p.m. to serve the needs of working families. JEA Preschool Savannah is open to both JEA members and non members.

About JEA Preschool Savannah
JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, opened its doors in August 2013. The school, which serves the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org or visit www.savannahjea.org.

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Mr. Chuck Moore (BP Representative), Dyann Hunter and her son Malcolm Williams-Green, Super Bowl Champ Hubert Ginn and Sara Rubinstein (St. Andrew’s Upper School Head)

We here at SouthernMamas.com often hear from parents looking for an alternative to Savannah-Chatham public schools for their children. Here’s one way that qualifying students can attend local private schools: the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program.

This month, Malcolm Williams-Green was awarded a BP-GOAL Scholarship to attend St. Andrew’s School for the 2013-2014 school year.

“We are thrilled to have Malcolm join the St. Andrew’s community,” said Mark Toth, Head of School. “I am confident that St. Andrew’s will provide the perfect setting for Malcolm to pursue his dream of attaining a strong academic foundation.”

The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program’s BP-GOAL Scholars Fund awarded 30 scholarships, enabling qualifying students to attend Georgia private schools for the 2013-2014 academic year. BP and its Castrol subsidiary, longtime education supporters, initiated this scholarship program in connection with Georgia GOAL in 2012, to provide Georgia parents with more options for the education of their children.

Each award amount is based on the tuition rate at the student’s chosen private school and his/her family’s demonstrated need. To be eligible to apply, applicants had to be enrolled in a Georgia public school, have income no more than 2 times the poverty guideline and have been accepted and sponsored by a qualified Georgia private school.

This year’s BP-GOAL scholarship recipients are from areas in Georgia where BP and its subsidiary Castrol do business. Additionally, the scholarship recipients demonstrate drive, motivation and strengths in math, science and technologies important to the energy industry.

Lisa Kelly, Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program president said, “It is important for students to have the option of a private school that fits their needs if they can’t achieve their full potential in their local public school. The Georgia legislature created this opportunity to improve educational outcomes and to allow families to put their children on paths to success.”

Kelly explained that the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program is the state’s leading student scholarship organization. Providing children throughout the Peach State with Greater Opportunities for Access to Learning (“GOAL”), the program has awarded close to 10,000 scholarships totaling more than $34 million since 2008.

For more info on the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, click here.

St. Andrew’s, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school, is located on Wilmington Island. For more information on the Savannah private International Baccalaureate World School visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Dr. Kelley Waldron, Lower School Head

St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island has many features that we love. One that really makes us swoon here at SouthernMamas.com is how cleverly the school incorporates technology into the classroom. Which is why it wasn’t surprising last school year when St. Andrew’s was named Apple Distinguished School for the 2012-13 academic year for its use of the iPad and Apple technology as tools to create a relevant and engaging school experience for its students.

The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools that excel in areas of innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and demonstrate Apple’s shared vision of exemplary learning environments.

St. Andrew’s has implemented iPad usage for all of its students, pre-K through 12th-grade.

As Dr. Kelley Waldron, Lower School Head, said:
“The iPad is never a replacement for best practices or seen as the curriculum- it is a tool in the classroom. The value of this tool is that it allows teachers to differentiate instruction by offering extra challenge to a student ready to move on, or reinforcement of a skill or concept for a student who needs the extra time to understand and master it. The best apps engage students in variety of learning modalities- asking them to solve problems, kinesthetically move letters or numbers, engage creatively with the content, and work in a self-paced fashion.”

So we asked St. Andrew’s teachers to share some of the top apps they love. Here are their picks:

BB Magic Apps – Teach basic phonics, right to left reading and spelling, blending and sight words

Endless Alphabet App– Educational and entertaining at the same time

Tally Tots App – A counting app that offers 20 different activities

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School committed to being a leader in 21st Century teaching and learning, which includes a curricular focus on creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and character. For more information on the Pre-K 3 through Grade Twelve school, visit www.saintschool.com  or call 912.897.4941.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a Savannah preschool for next fall that has a proven history as a well-established, quality preschool? Check out First Christian Church Preschool, which was formed in 1952 by Carolyn S. Jordan and has been in continuous operation since that date.

The preschool – located on Victory Drive in the Savannah’s Ardsley Park –  now serves 15 mths to 4-year-old children and is in session from 9AM to noon Monday through Friday. First Christian Church members receive a 25% discount on tuition.

First Christian Preschool provides an environment that is warm and welcoming so that your child will feel safe and comfortable. Classrooms are bright and inviting so your child will be excited about learning and will be prepared for kindergarten. Most of all, your child will have a lot of fun and be involved in meaningful play. Play is a child’s “work” and it is through play that a child learns to be social, to solve problems, to be independent and to be creative.

The preschool employs the Unit Approach Curriculum. It is designed to meet appropriate skill levels for each age group.

The school offers a Spanish program called !Hola! as part of the curriculum for the 3 and 4-year-olds . Music is incorporated into daily activities in the classrooms

Children participate in two school-wide programs, one at Christmas and an end-of-the-year program. Newsletters, a fund raiser, carpool and lunch bunch, and early birds are other activities that are a part of the preschool program.

Some of the activities all of students participate in are:
Fall Festival
School Wide Pajama Party
Dessert with Daddy
Mother’s Day Tea
Graduation Program
Friday Morning Music

The preschool includes Christian principles in its program, teaching the children the Christian values of loving, sharing, being kind to one another

Visitors are welcome. First Christian Preschool staff  look forward to meeting you and your children.

For more information, please call Mrs. Sarah Marquez at 912-234-3149 or email firstchristianpreschool@yahoo.com

First Christian Preschool, 711 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, 31405, 912 234-3149,   https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Christian-Preschool/153225621412477?fref=ts First Christian Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a preschool near Wilmington Island? Come to the Open House @ Whitemarsh Day School – which offers a hands on approach to early learning – on August 29th from 5-6pm.

If you are interested in joining the school family at Whitemarsh Day School, the preschool is enrolling new students now. The school has a few openings for their new half day preschool in the fall.  Their school year starts Tuesday, September 3 2013.

For more information on Whitemarsh Day School, check out their home page by clicking here or send an email.

Whitemarsh Day School is a preschool for ages 2-5 during the school year and 2-6 during Summer Camps. The new Whitemarsh preschool is located at 104 Penrose Dr. Savannah GA 31410

For information regarding the school please contact Miranda Maher at 912-659-8185

About Whitemarsh Day School
Whitemarsh Day School fosters a child’s sense of curiosity and imagination and provides a stimulating, safe, and fun environment for all our children. You’ll feel confident your child is being taken care of when you can’t be with him or her. Here are some of the fun activities and educational lessons your child will enjoy at our school:
Story time and sing-a-longs
Activities that teach through play and exploring the world around us
center choice time both inside and outdoors
Nutritious snacks
Letter recognition and writing
Circle time for sharing
Independent playtime
Pre-reading and beginning math
Work on large and small motor skill development
One-on-one time with teacher on a daily basis for progress assessment

Whitemarsh Day School, 104 Penrose Dr., Savannah, 31410, tel: 912-659-8185, http://whitemarshdayschool.weebly.com/index.html. Whitemarsh Day School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The popular Savannah preschool Maggie’s Morning School will have an Open House Friday, August 16, from 4-6 pm. Come & find out what makes Maggie’s “The Creative Alternative” for Pre-school.

Maggie’s Morning School is a NAEYC accredited private, non-profit pre-school at 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405.

Mission Maggie’s Morning School provides a developmentally appropriate, quality learning experience for a diverse student body in a safe, creative, and nurturing environment. The focus is on the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each and every child through hands on activities and support by working together with families, well-trained teachers, and community resources.

Description Maggie’s Morning School has been serving Savannah since 1982. The school has 2, 3, and 5 half day and full day programs for children 18 months (by Sept. 1) through age four, and the Bright From the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten program. Maggie’s provides an exceptional and unique learning environment in order to facilitate social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in each child.

For the school year, Maggie’s serves children ages 18 months (by Sept 1) through 3 classes of State-Funded (FREE) Pre-K. Maggie’s Morning School in Savannah offers part-time preschool for 4-year-olds.

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here. Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here. Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

You’re invited:  JEA Preschool Savannah Pool Party
July 28th, 11 am-2 pm
Come view new classrooms and outdoor play spaces!

11:00 am – Pool Games and Activities
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – JEA Pool Side Grill
12:00 pm – Story time with Preschool Teachers

About JEA Preschool Savannah JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013. The school, which will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Imagine if your child’s daily school lunches were going to come from a popular green-certified restaurant next school year?

That’s the welcome & innovative news at St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island, which recently partnered with Thrive Café, Savannah’s first and only green certified restaurant & caterer.

Thrive Café will begin providing all student & faculty meals at the private independent school beginning August 2013. The partnership is designed to bring healthy, affordable food to the Pre K – Grade 12 school on a daily basis.

In 2008, Chef Wendy Armstrong started Thrive Café. Thrive uses green methods in their daily business practices and works with over 20 local farms to source ingredients for delicious food with a healthy twist.

Some of the new and exciting plans include using all natural meats, preparing more local vegetables, serving no fried foods and pouring local hormone free milk. The St. Andrew’s garden will also take a prominent focus with this newly formed partnership.

Visit us www.saintschool.com  or www.thrivecarryoutcafe.com  for more information.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a Premiere Preschool Program in Savannah?

JEA Preschool Savannah will host a Meet and Greet for prospective parents and caregivers on Wednesday, May 29th at 5:30 p.m. The new preschool, located at the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors to children ages 16 months to 4 years in August 2013.

During the Meet and Greet, attendees will have an opportunity to meet preschool director Jodi Sadler and the teachers, view the new furnishings, and view architectural renderings of outdoor learning space.

The evening will include free childcare with a reservation.

Please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228) or email preschool@savj.org  to reserve a spot.

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island invites you to a FREE readiness assessment for pre-k students, Saturday, June 1, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s School, a nationally accredited leader in early childhood education, invites your family to participate in a readiness assessment for rising 3 year-old and 4 year-old students to assess Pre-K and Kindergarten preparedness.

St. Andrew’s team of educators, including math and literacy specialists, will host a one day only event to assess cognitive, social and emotional readiness and answer your questions about what’s next.

Please call to make a reservation and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

While students are testing, parents can tour the school and speak with administration and current parents.

Contact Christine Sapp at sappc@saintschool.com  or 897.4941, x. 400 to reserve your spot today.

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School committed to being a leader in 21st Century teaching and learning, which includes a curricular focus on creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and character. For more information on the Pre-K 3 through Grade Twelve school, visit www.saintschool.com  or call 912.897.4941.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Did the pre-K lottery not go as you’d hoped?

Is your precious toddler ready to expand his/her world and begin developing preschool social skills?

Check out the new JEA Preschool Savannah . It’s a program focused on providing a strong preschool experience in a nurturing environment with low teacher to student ratio. The preschool is now accepting applications. Meet & Greet on May 29th at 5:30pm at the JEA. Free babysitting available; reservations required. For more information go to www.savannahjea.org  or call 912-355-8111.

About JEA Preschool Savannah JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013. The school, which will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

This week. you’re invited to visit  Maggie’s Morning School, a NAEYC accredited private, non-profit pre-school at 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405.

Open House Week – Monday April 22 – Friday April 26. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a..m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Come see what makes Maggie’s “The Creative Alternative” for Pre-school and learn about Maggie’s summer program “Earthworks”.

This popular, beloved well-established Savannah school offers hands-on learning and a child-centered approach that encourages exploration and independence through a well prepared environment.

Mission Maggie’s Morning School provides a developmentally appropriate, quality learning experience for a diverse student body in a safe, creative, and nurturing environment. The focus is on the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each and every child through hands on activities and support by working together with families, well-trained teachers, and community resources.

Description Maggie’s Morning School has been serving Savannah since 1982. The school has 2, 3, and 5 half day and full day programs for children 18 months (by Sept. 1) through age four, and the Bright From the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten program. Maggie’s provides an exceptional and unique learning environment in order to facilitate social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in each child.

For the school year, Maggie’s serves children ages 18 months (by Sept 1) through 3 classes of State-Funded (FREE) Pre-K.

For the summer program, Maggie’s serves children 18 months (by Sept 1) through children entering 2nd grade.  Learn more about Maggie’s Summer Camps 2013 by clicking here.

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here. Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Congratulations St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island for recently receiving recognition as one of the most challenging high schools in the nation.

This marks the second year in a row for the Savannah private school to receive the honor. The Washington Post’s Jay Mathews has been ranking the most challenging schools in the country for 15 years.

“I’m thrilled that St. Andrew’s is again being recognized for one of our distinguishing characteristics–that we provide a challenging curriculum to all of our students while giving them the individual attention and supportive environment they need to help them meet that challenge,” said Sara Rubinstein, Upper School Head. “Through making our International Baccalaureate program accessible to all students, not just the top 2% of any class, we fulfill our promise to give each St. Andrew’s student the high quality learning environment our families expect and deserve.”

St. Andrew’s is the only private school in Georgia to be recognized on the most challenging list.

View the Post’s challenging high schools list by clicking here.

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School committed to being a leader in 21st Century teaching and learning, which includes a curricular focus on creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and character. For more information on the Pre-K 3 through Grade Twelve school, visit www.saintschool.com  or call 912.897.4941.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Pre-K Lottery Update:

We heard from several moms recently who were surprised by changes to the pre-K wait list this year for Savannah-Chatham public schools. Basically,  if your child was accepted to one of your school choices, then he/she was not put on the waiting list for your other choices. In the past, students who were not accepted to their choices were automatically put on the waiting list. You can read parents’ concerns on the SouthernMamas.com Facebook page.

This change negatively affects those parents whose neighborhood school is not a good school, but they were required to make it one of their choices. Now they’ve been accepted to their neighborhood school & were not even put on the waiting list for their school of choice.

District 1 Savannah-Chatham County School Board Member Julie Wade looked into parents’ complaints & below are the answers she received.

Below are responses to Julie Wade’s questions about this year’s changes in the pre-K waiting list process. The repsonses are from David Feliciano, Chief Data and Accountability Officer for Savannah-Chatham Public School System:

There are two places we provided information on choice scenarios for parents to review and be aware of. One was above the choice selection list on the online application. The other reference was on our public website FAQ for Lottery. Since the lottery has completed, the FAQs have been replaced with FAQ for Registration. Below is a copy of the information that was posted:

——
Pre-K school choice scenarios:
1. The family lives in a school attendance zone that has a Pre-K Program.

• If the family only wants to attend the Pre-K program in their school attendance zone, select the school as the first choice selection and leave the other two blank.

• If the family wants to attend a Pre-K program that is not in their school attendance zone, select the school as the first choice selection and select the attendance zone school as the second choice. The third choice can be left blank.

• If the family wants to maximize their opportunity for entry into a Pre-K program, enter three choices with one of them being the attendance zone school.
2. The family lives in a school attendance zone that does not have a Pre-K program.

• If the family only wants to attend a specific Pre-K program, select the school as the first choice selection and leave the other two blank.

• If the family wants to maximize their opportunity for entry into a Pre-K program, enter three choices.

Note: If a family is selected for a Pre-K slot, they will no longer be on any wait list.

——

When the lottery was designed, it was designed to support community schools. Two specific rules impacted parent choices in the lottery:

• Priority is to be given to families that live within the Pre-K Center attendance zone.

• Families are required to list their attendance zone Pre-K Center as one of three choices.

Once a Pre-K slot is provided within the county, families are taken off of any other wait list. This was done to prevent families from holding wait list positions when they are already attending a Pre-K program within SCCPSS.

Q: For those that were not placed anywhere and are on two or three wait lists, can they withdraw from some of the wait lists?

A: Parents can remove their child from any wait list and still remain on others. Only when they accept a slot into a Pre-K program they are removed from others. The family that is on Shuman’s list can call the school and have their child pulled from the wait list. The child will still be listed on the other Pre-K program wait list. We will post this information on the website and provide it to the schools as this particular scenario was not covered.

Options for consideration:

The second rule listed above can be removed from the system. In doing so, families can pick and choose any Pre-K center of their choice, have the option of only entering one, two, or up to three Pre-K center, and don’t have to list their attendance zone school.

The above are responses to District 1 Savannah-Chatham County School Board Member Julie Wade’s questions about this year’s changes in the Pre-K waiting list process. The responses are from David Feliciano, Chief Data and Accountability Officer Savannah-Chatham Public School System.

Worried about where your child is going to attend preschool next year or trying to find a FREE, quality state-funded pre-K program in Savannah?

If so, you’ll be thrilled to learn about Maggie’s Morning School, a NAEYC accredited private, non-profit pre-school. This popular, beloved well-established Savannah school offers hands-on learning and a child-centered approach that encourages exploration and independence through a well prepared environment.

Mission
Maggie’s Morning School provides a developmentally appropriate, quality learning experience for a diverse student body in a safe, creative, and nurturing environment. The focus is on the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each and every child through hands on activities and support by working together with families, well-trained teachers, and community resources.

Description
Maggie’s Morning School has been serving Savannah since 1982. The school has 2, 3, and 5 half day and full day programs for children 18 months (by Sept. 1) through age four, and the Bright From the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten program.
Maggie’s provides an exceptional and unique learning environment in order to facilitate social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in each child.

Please come visit the school at 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405 and see why Maggie’s Morning School is  “The Creative Alternative!”

Upcoming events at Maggie’s Morning School which are open to the public include: 

1) Gently-Used Sale Saturday April 20, 8 a.m. – Noon. School parking lot. Indoors if there is inclement weather.

2) Open House Week – Monday April 22 – Friday April 26. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a..m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Come see what makes Maggie’s “The Creative Alternative” for Pre-school and learn about Maggie’s summer program “Earthworks”.

For the school year, Maggie’s serves children ages 18 months (by Sept 1) through 3 classes of State-Funded (FREE) Pre-K.

For the summer program, Maggie’s serves children 18 months (by Sept 1) through children entering 2nd grade.

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here.  Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.