Savannah Standard

On May 15, 2023, Myers Middle School was awarded the Family-Friendly School Partnership Award by State Superintendent Richard Woods. The award is part of the Georgia Department of Education's (GaDOE) Family-Friendly Partnership School (FFSP) Initiative, which began in 2010. This initiative aims to help Title I schools create welcoming environments that encourage family involvement and improve student achievement.

The initiative focuses on fostering a sense of belonging among parents and schools, encouraging parental participation in education. Myers Middle has made efforts to enhance family involvement through improved communication, including social media use, establishing a welcoming family engagement room, and increasing opportunities for families to participate in school events.

Initially an annual awards program sponsored with partners like the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE), The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of Georgia, and the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), the FFPS initiative shifted in 2017-18 to support schools that voluntarily work on improving their environments without formal awards. Schools selected join a two-year cohort to further these goals.

Title I schools are invited to apply online. A panel reviews applications based on criteria such as geographic location and representation across different school systems. Schools must identify two S.M.A.R.T. goals related to improving welcoming environments as part of their application process.