SAVANNAH, GA – July 27, 2023 – Savannah Classical Academy (SCA) has come to the aid of fellow Chatham County based charter school, Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) to avert a nutritional crisis situation at the beginning of the semester on July 26. Like other charter schools, SCA – Chatham County’s only K-12 charter school and TIMA – a K-5 elementary charter school are part of the district school system but have the autonomy to operate under the direction of the school leaders and board of directors. This results in an occasional variance in semester dates compared to other schools in the district. TIMA’s semester began on July 26, six days earlier than most district schools return on August 3. Although the district has an obligation to provide school meals to any charter school if these are requested, late in July the district advised TIMA that this would not be possible before August 3.
SCA has an independent nutrition program which provides lunches for its own students, so they were able to assist with a combination of nutritiously balanced, hot, and “grab and go” lunches for TIMA students during the six days that the district failed to provide meals. “TIMA is extremely grateful for the support of Savannah Classical Academy, who ensured our students received quality nutrition from their first day back at school,” said Peter Ulrich, Principal of TIMA. “It is encouraging to know local charter schools can partner together and rely on each other to serve the needs of Chatham County students.”
As the school has invested in a comprehensive nutrition program including a new kitchen, vocational training for students, and high-quality meal options for its students, SCA’s school nutrition staff, led by manager Kerry Saengthong, was able to assist in this emergency when TIMA reached out to them.
“SCA is happy to help a fellow charter school and we always want to serve children in our community. It is proven that nutrition is a vital part of the learning process, and I am pleased that we could provide a solution for TIMA to ensure their students received the lunches they expect and deserve,” said Barry Lollis, CEO of SCA.
Savannah Classical Academy (SCA) was founded in Chatham County in 2013 as a lottery enrollment public charter school. SCA’s mission is to provide every child with a classical and academically rigorous education while instilling a commitment to civic virtue and moral character. SCA is committed to developing literate and articulate students who will become active, responsible members of the community and will make a positive contribution to society. For more information visit www.savannahclassicalacademy.org.
Tybee Island Maritime Academy was the first and is still the only elementary school in the state of Georgia with an educational program focused on career choices emphasizing maritime education integrated with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). For more information visit www.tybeeislandmaritimeacademy.com.
