2024-25 Back-to-School Newsletter

In addition to the general information below, families can find more specific information for Lower, Middle, and Upper School via the Resource Boards.                Lower School LINK—Middle School LINK —Upper School LINK

SCHOOL UNIFORMSStudents are required to wear a school uniform from Lands' End. You may order by phone or online (1.800.469.2222 or www.landsend.com). Lower & Middle School code: 900138850; Upper School code: 900132580. More detailed information about our dress code appears in the student handbook. The Parents’ Association oversees an on-campus Uniform Closet, offering gently used uniforms and spirit wear for families. The Uniform Closet is located in Modular E. (Modular E is located to the right of Demere Gym, and parking is available behind the Little School). In addition, customizable Hornet spirit wear and hoodies are available at savcds.org/spiritstore.

TEXTBOOKS (6th-12th) & SUMMER READINGInformation is posted to the website on your child’s respective school division’s “Important Information Board” under Resources.

HORNET SHOPThe Hornet Shop reopens on Wednesday, August 7, with summer hours 9:00AM-2:00PM  (closed Friday, August 9). Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted forms of payment. During the school year, the Hornet Shop will be open from 8:00AM-4:00PM. Follow the Hornet Shop on instagram (@scdshornetshop) for new merchandise and daily food options. 

CAMPUS & GATE HOURSRegular campus hours are 7AM - 9PM Monday - Friday and 7AM - 7PM on the weekends. The Stillwood Drive gate opens ​each weekday ​at 6:30AM. The Cedar Grove and Willow Road gates are open from 7:30 -9:00AM and 2:30 - 3:55PM Monday - Friday. The Cedar Grove and Willow Road gates are locked during holidays, weekends, and summer break. Campus closes for all federal holidays. 

MEDICAL RECORDS & SCHOOL FORMSTo ensure the health and safety of all of our students, SCDS requires health forms on file with the School prior to the start of each school year. SCDS requires all students to be age-appropriately immunized with all the required vaccines BEFORE they can attend school.
REQUIRED FORMS Jr. Kindergarten - 4th Grade: SCDS utilizes the School Website to download and submit required forms for Jr. K-4th Grade. Click HERE for directions to access complete and submit the required forms.
REQUIRED FORMS 5th-12th Grade: SCDS utilizes both the School website and DragonFly to download and submit required forms for 5th-12th grade. 

• STUDENTS (Non-Athlete) 5th-12th Grade Click HERE for directions to access, complete, and submit the required forms.

• STUDENT-ATHLETES 5th-12th Grade Click HERE for the SCDS Athletic Clearance Guide with directions to access, complete, and submit the required forms.

CAMPUS PARKING DECALSParking decals will be mailed in early August. If you need an additional one, please stop by Triol Hall or call/email Lisa Team at 912.961.8802 or team@savcds.org. All vehicles entering campus must display the sticker in the lower left corner of the windshield (driver’s side). If your car has no current decal, secure one in the Triol Hall office. When entering campus, please slow to ensure that our staff can screen all vehicles properly. 

EMERGENCY TEXT COMMUNICATIONIt is important that we have an accurate database of SMS text numbers in the event of a campus closure or event. ** Even if you have previously received text communications from the School, you need to double-check to make sure your SMS # is set up. If it is not, you will no longer receive texts when we turn on the auto-sync between databases.**

Please set up your SMS (wireless) # in your School Website/Blackbaud Settings area to receive Emergency Text alerts from Country Day. Please click HERE to follow the directions to set up your preferred TEXT number. 

SCDS BUS TRANSPORTATIONThe bus routes for 2024-25 include Pooler, Richmond Hill, and Dutch Island / Daffin Park. To request bus transportation for the coming school year, please complete this REGISTRATION FORM by July 19, 2024. We will follow up with all registrants by July 31 to confirm details. If you have additional questions, please contact Michaela Shank, Assistant Director of Operations, at mshank@savcds.org.

EXTENDED CARE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMSAfter Care (JK-5th grade and 6th-8th grade) is available for a fee, and information and registration will be emailed to parents on August 1st. Information and registration for our 2024-25 After School Program offerings will be emailed after the start of school. Morning Wait (JK-5th grade) runs from 7:30-8:10AM in Old Gym, and registration is not required for this complimentary service. 

SCHOOL LUNCHSchool lunch (JK-12) is included in Country Day tuition. Our lunchroom vendor, SAGE, offers a wide variety of nutritious offerings each day. The daily menu, as well as listings for allergens and dietary restrictions, is available on our website under “Quick Links” at the top. In addition, the Touch of SAGE App is available in the App Store for mobile devices.

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION & WEBSITE LOGIN ISSUESPlease remember to update the School if any changes occur throughout the year. All changes should be emailed to contactinfoupdate@savcds.org. You may also email this address if you have difficulty logging into the SCDS website.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONSThe majority of correspondence from school is distributed electronically. Please keep your preferred email address updated within your online profile and ensure that Country Day’s email domain (@savcds.org) and our pushpage address (noreply@savcds.org.myenotice.com) are added to your SPAM filter’s whitelist and/or contacts.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH SOCIAL MEDIAOur social media accounts are a great way to stay updated on campus activities and upcoming events.
Instagram: instagram.com/savannahcountryday, instagram.com/scds_athletics and instagram.com/scds.arts
Facebook: facebook.com/savannahcountryday 
X: twitter.com/savcds and twitter.com/scds_athletics

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGSParents will be notified of school closings or delays via our phone, email, and text message systems. In addition, we will post emergency announcements on our website homepage and on social media. Please keep your contact information updated throughout the year to receive alerts from the school. Information for the emergency text system is included above in the Emergency Text Communication section. 

START-OF-SCHOOL EVENTS

Wednesday, August 7: JV/Varsity Fall Sports Information Night- Jelks (6:30PM – 7:30PM)
Thursday, August 8: 9th Grade Student & Parent Orientation (10:00AM – 12:00PM)
Thursday, August 8: Upper School Fall Athletic Media Day (12:00PM – 4:00PM/ Specific team times TBA)
Friday, August 9 - Monday, August 11: Freshman Weekend
Monday, August 12: Grades 10-12 New Student & Parent Orientation (10:00AM – 12:00PM)
Tuesday, August 13:
- Middle School New Student / 6th Grade Student Orientation- Andrews (8:30 – 9:30AM)
- MS Open House for returning students (optional) (10:30AM – 3:00PM)
- Jr. K Students Meet the Teachers & Parent Orientation- DuBose (9:00 – 10:00 AM)       
- K-5 New Students Meet the Teachers & Parent Orientation- DuBose (10:00 – 11:00AM)
- K-5 Open House for returning students (optional) (11:00AM – 12:00PM)               
Wednesday, August 14: First Day of School for JK-12
Friday, August 16: Back-to-School Coffee- DuBose (8:45AM)       
Wednesday, August 21: Fall Sports Information Night for Grades 5-8th- Jelks (6:30PM – 7:30PM)                                        Thursday, August 22: Lower School Parents’ Night (6:00PM)
Wednesday, August 28: Middle School Parents’ Night (6:00PM)
Thursday, August 29: Upper School Parents’ Night (6:00PM)