SR3 Parent Connection

At our most recent Board of Education meeting, we recognized two individuals who have given countless hours of service to Savannah R3—Rachel Piper and Than Wagers. Serving on a school board is no small commitment, and we are grateful for the time, leadership, and care they have given to our students, staff, and community. We wish them both the very best in their next chapters and thank them for the lasting impact they’ve made on our district.

At the same time, we are excited to welcome Sharona Johnson and Nick Morgan to the Board of Education. With every transition comes an opportunity for growth, and we look forward to the fresh perspectives and unique viewpoints they will bring as we continue our work together on behalf of students.

This time of year also means I’m hammering out the details of next year’s budget. My goal is to be a responsible steward of district resources while making sure we continue to provide strong opportunities for our students and fair compensation for our staff. While there are still some moving pieces with state funding, we’re staying focused on making thoughtful decisions that support our schools and ensure every student has what they need to thrive—no matter what. Public education plays a vital role in our community, and that responsibility is always at the center of this work.

All of this work ultimately comes back to the day-to-day experiences our students have in the classroom. As we head into these final weeks, we want to make the most of every opportunity for learning and growth.

We know “spring fever” is real this time of year, but attendance matters. Each day in the classroom brings meaningful learning experiences, especially as students prepare to wrap up the year and complete spring assessments. Thank you for your partnership in helping your child stay engaged, present, and ready to finish strong.

We appreciate your continued support of Savannah R3 and the role you play in making our schools a place where every student can thrive.

~ Dr. Brian Hansen

On April 22nd, you may notice a large number of emergency vehicles and first responders at Savannah High School. Please don’t be alarmed—this is only a drill.

Our annual Docudrama presentation will be taking place on campus. This powerful and realistic mock accident scene is part of an important safety lesson for our high school students in the days leading up to Prom.

Every year, local first responders partner with SHS to show the real-life consequences of dangerous driving behaviors like texting and driving, drinking and driving, or driving under the influence. It’s an impactful way to remind students to make smart, safe choices on the road.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue working together to keep our students safe.

Spring testing season is just around the corner, and while it can sometimes feel like a big moment, it’s really just one piece of the bigger picture when it comes to your child’s learning.

These assessments give us a snapshot of how students are doing with grade-level skills and help guide instruction moving forward. They also give families insight into areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

What do these tests really measure?

State assessments are designed to measure how well students are mastering grade-level standards in subjects like reading, math, and science.

They are not a measure of a student’s worth, potential, or overall success—but they do help:

• Identify areas where students may need additional support
• Guide teachers in planning instruction
• Provide a consistent way to track progress over time

How families can help

The best support doesn’t come from cramming or added pressure—it comes from helping your child feel prepared and confident.

A few simple things go a long way:

• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep
• Encourage a healthy breakfast before school
• Help them arrive on time and ready to go
• Offer encouragement and keep things positive

Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can say is simply: “Do your best—that’s enough.”

Keeping it in perspective

It’s easy to put a lot of weight on testing, but these results are just one tool we use. Your child is learning and growing in many ways that can’t be captured in a single test.

At SR3, we look at the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—and spring testing is just one checkpoint along the way.

As we head into the final weeks of the school year, it’s a great time to take a quick look at your student’s lunch account and make sure everything is in good shape.

Starting in May, students must have money in their lunch accounts to purchase a meal, as no unpaid charges will be allowed.

If a balance goes negative:

• An alternative meal will be provided
• Breakfast service will be paused until the balance is resolved
• À la carte purchases will not be available

The good news—any money left in your student’s account at the end of the year will carry over to summer school or the 2026–27 school year, so there’s no downside to making sure your account is squared away now.

A couple of important reminders:

• Students can always purchase a meal if they have money in hand
• Students are never singled out or embarrassed due to a negative balance
• 
  

We know this time of year moves fast, so consider this your nudge to take a quick look and wrap up any outstanding balances before summer. You might even set a quick reminder on your phone to check every couple of weeks.

Not sure how to check your student’s balance or make a payment? We’ve got you covered with this Parents' Guide to TeacherEase: 👉 https://app.smore.com/n/k29rp

Summer will be here before we know it, and there’s still time to sign up for Summer School at SR3.

Our summer program is designed to keep students engaged, connected, and learning—without the pressure of grades. It’s a great option for families looking to maintain a routine while giving kids a chance to learn in a more relaxed, hands-on environment.

Whether your child thrives on structure, enjoys being around friends, or just needs something to do during the day, summer school can be a great fit.

For families with students transitioning to middle school, summer school also provides an opportunity to get comfortable in a new building and start the year with confidence.

If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to enroll.

📅 Program Details

• Dates: May 26 – June 26, 2026
• Days/Times: Monday–Friday, 7:40 AM – 2:40 PM
• Locations: John Glenn, Minnie Cline, and SMS

✏️ How to Enroll

Enrollment is quick and easy—just use the link below to get started:
👉 https://forms.gle/JGjv8isht5Akooyy8

*Please Note: Remedial courses offered at the Middle School and all Courses offered at Savannah High School will require grades and assigned work.

Technology moves fast, and it's hard to keep up with all of the latest gadgets. You may have started to see more about “smart glasses” recently—especially glasses that can be fitted with prescription lenses and used just like everyday eyewear.

There’s no question—this technology is impressive. Many of these glasses can take photos, record video, play audio, and connect to apps, all hands-free. In the right setting, they can be a powerful and convenient tool.

However, smart glasses are not permitted during the school day at SR3.

This includes any version of smart glasses, even those fitted with prescription lenses.

There are a few important reasons for this:

Privacy matters
Smart glasses have built-in cameras and microphones that can record without others realizing it. In a school setting, this creates concerns in classrooms, hallways, and especially in private spaces like locker rooms.

Academic integrity
Because these devices can take photos or access information discreetly, they create opportunities for cheating or sharing test content.

Consistency with school expectations
Our schools maintain a no cell phone and no wearable technology expectation during the school day. Smart glasses fall into that same category.

We understand that some of these products can be appealing—especially when paired with prescription lenses. If your student needs glasses for vision, we ask that a traditional pair of glasses be used during the school day.

We know this technology is new, and many families may not be aware of what these glasses can do. We appreciate your help in keeping the school a safe, respectful, and focused environment for all students.

*the 2026-27 academic calendar is now available.

If you haven’t completed your student’s Spring Enrollment Update in TeacherEase yet, there’s still time to get it checked off your list.

This quick update helps us confirm student information, plan for next year’s enrollment, and start preparing for the 2026–27 school year.

Most families can complete it in just a few minutes, but it makes a big difference behind the scenes.

👉 Log in to TeacherEase and follow the prompts to complete your update.

Need help?

You can walk through step-by-step instructions here:
👉 https://app.smore.com/n/nq5ds

If your student will ride the bus for the 2026–27 school year, bus registration must be completed by July 1.

This step is part of your Spring Enrollment Update and is essential for building transportation routes over the summer.

Students who are registered by July 1 will be included in back-to-school route planning and can expect transportation to be in place at the start of the school year.

Students registered after July 1 may still be added, but bus service may not begin until after Labor Day.

👉 To register, log in to TeacherEase and complete the Spring Enrollment Update for each student.

A couple quick reminders:

• One form must be completed for each student
• If you’ve already completed enrollment, you can still access the bus registration using the button on the district website

Families with unique transportation needs (such as split custody) should contact the transportation provider directly to make arrangements.

There's a lot of information in this newsletter, but there's even more on the Back to School section of our website. And if you still can't find what you are looking for, give us a call! All of our campuses are open during regular school hours.