After the Bell: The Official Podcast of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools

On this episode of After the Bell, the official podcast of Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, we welcome Brian “Cruz” Cruz, lead custodial technician at Groves High School in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, recently named a finalist for the district’s 2027 Instructional Support Person of the Year.

Cruz explains “white glove service” as consistency, accountability, attention to detail, and a customer-service mindset that supports students, staff, families, community members, and vendors by ensuring campuses feel clean, safe, and cared for. He shares his path from concierge work in New York and New Jersey to Savannah and discusses how student diversity and mutual respect shape his work, including students using service hours to help when the team is short-staffed.

Cruz highlights pride in positive feedback from events like the CTAE Success Expo and advises aspiring school support professionals to pursue excellence, professionalism, and education to advance in operations roles.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Show Intro

00:28 Meet Cruz

01:31 White Glove Mindset

02:35 From New York

04:22 Award Recognition

05:55 Custodial Day To Day

07:23 Lessons From Students

09:15 Best Part Of Job

10:35 Career Advice

14:16 Closing And District Info

In this episode of After the Bell, we explore the science of learning to read, the impact of high-dosage tutoring, and what the data tells us about helping more students succeed. Heather Corbett, Director of Research and Evaluation for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, and Jessica Reid Sliwerski, Co-Founder and CEO of Ignite Reading and a longtime literacy advocate, join producer Dee Daniels for a conversation about the district’s 95 in 5 literacy goal and the importance of helping students become strong readers early.

They discuss why consistent attendance matters, how high-dosage tutoring provides students with targeted support during the school day, what research tells us about foundational reading instruction, and why giving students the right support at the right time can make such a meaningful difference.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to After the Bell

00:44 Introducing Today's Guests

01:21 Guest Backgrounds and Experience

02:44 National Literacy Month and Moonshot

05:04 What is High Dosage Tutoring

07:05 Why Consistent Attendance Matters

09:30 Supporting Families and Students

10:43 Why 60% Need Structured Instruction

14:44 Cracking the Reading Code

16:01 The Joy of Learning to Read

17:45 Research Based Solutions That Work

19:21 Closing Remarks

On this episode of After the Bell - Clyde Newton, Strategic Partnership Coordinator for Savannah-Chatham County Public School System discusses how business-education partnerships strengthen student success and regional workforce development.

Newton, a Savannah native and SCCPSS graduate with 35+ years at Georgia Power, explains that strong relationships and alignment around the district’s new strategic plan help businesses and schools pursue shared goals, improve career readiness, and maintain economic competitiveness.

He highlights partnership opportunities including classroom career exploration, facility visits, work-based learning hires, teacher externships, and the Economic Development for Educators program with SEDA, which helped SCCPSS earn designation as an economic development school district by the Georgia Department of Education.

Newton shares outcomes such as graduates hired into welding, aviation, ports, and EMT roles, including high-earning careers, and invites businesses of any size to register via the district website to get involved.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Show Intro

00:44 Meet Clyde Newton

01:51 Why Partnerships Matter

03:17 Keys to Success

04:41 Student Opportunities

05:58 Business Benefits

08:30 How to Get Involved

09:22 Real Student Success

11:36 Call to Action

12:07 Wrap Up and Credits

On this episode of After the Bell, Matthew Kubiak, Savannah Chatham County Public School System’s menu development, marketing, and promotions manager, to discuss how school nutrition supports student success and how the district is reimagining cafeteria food.

Kubiak shares his path from fine dining and executive chef roles to school nutrition, inspired by his kindergarten-teacher wife and a desire to improve how meals are cooked and received by students. They highlight free meals through the Community Eligibility Program, efforts to reduce stigma, increased participation, and a focus on appealing, nutritious menus featuring local items (including grass-fed burgers and Georgia shrimp), multicultural dishes, and student feedback via taste tests and surveys.

The conversation also covers school gardens supplying produce, improved presentation and tray logistics, literacy signage in serving lines, award-winning student recipes adapted to USDA guidelines, and new leadership under Dr. Rebecca Larson.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to After the Bell

00:37 Meet Matthew Kubiak

01:43 From Fine Dining to Schools

03:17 Chef Favorites and Fun

04:01 Free Meals and CEP Impact

05:50 Local Sourcing and Farm Grants

06:51 Surprise Hits Like Carrot Souffle

09:55 Presentation and Cafeteria Experience

12:24 School Gardens and Taste Tests

14:39 Student Chefs and Awards

16:11 Whats Next for Nutrition

17:10 Feedback Food Shows and Events

21:04 Wrap Up and District Outro

On this episode of After the Bell, we welcome Shraddha Nunziata, SCCPSS senior director of initiatives and special projects, to discuss the district’s five-year strategic plan, “Unlimited Possibilities: Every student, every school, every day,” built with unprecedented community engagement including nearly 2,000 student survey responses.

Nunziata explains the plan’s focus on creating a high-quality, consistent baseline experience across schools—fair, consistent application of rules, grading, and learning expectations—while preserving each school’s unique signature programs. She outlines expected impacts for students and families: stronger reading, writing, math and critical thinking, expanded access to pathways and wellness supports, safer environments, clearer communication, and greater transparency to rebuild public trust.

The conversation also highlights SCCPSS’s selection for GaDOE’s Innovative School Design cohort to listen, design, and pilot middle school redesigns centered on trust, relationships, and relevance, plus examples of hands-on literacy inquiry projects like student-created podcasts.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome After the Bell

00:31 Meet Shraddha Nunziata

01:36 Strategic Plan Overview

03:24 Student Impact Goals

07:13 Student Voice in Planning

10:04 Baseline Experience Explained

12:02 Innovative School Design Cohort

16:28 How Families Can Engage

19:33 Continuous Improvement Mindset

22:13 Inquiry Projects and Podcasts

24:40 Wrap Up and Resources

On After the Bell, we talk with Savannah-Chatham County Public School System COO Meagan Davidson and Emergency Management and School Safety Lt. Justin Pratt about severe weather preparedness and school closure decisions.

They explain the biggest misconception is that closures are based only on current conditions, when decisions also depend on student and staff safety, transportation over bridges, walkers and drivers, staffing across multiple counties and states, and changing conditions at arrival and dismissal. Preparedness is year-round and coordinated with SEMA, municipal partners, elected officials, and the National Weather Service through frequent briefings.

Closure recommendations consider power, access, food service, technology, and security, with families notified via the website, social media, BrightArrow texts/calls, and news outlets. They cover bus-route impacts, in-school alerts and drills, automated intercom weather warnings, post-storm facility assessments, and countywide damage tracking. They urge families to maintain emergency kits/plans and keep contact info updated.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome And Guests

00:28 Meet Meagan Davidson

01:21 Meet Lieutenant Pratt

02:30 Closure Misconceptions

04:49 Year Round Preparedness

07:35 Decision Making Process

09:11 How Closures Are Announced

12:45 Family Communication Channels

14:24 Internal Coordination

16:20 Bus Routes In Bad Weather

17:36 Severe Weather During School

19:57 Post Storm Reopening Checks

22:36 Damage Assessment Technology

23:46 Final Tips For Families

25:22 Closing Thanks

As a new school year begins, safety is top of mind for students, parents, and educators alike. In this episode of After the Bell, producer Dee Daniels sits down with Assistant Chief George C. Washington and Lieutenant Justin Pratt of the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education Police Department to discuss the comprehensive safety measures in place across the district.

Learn how School Resource Officers (SROs) do far more than respond to emergencies—they serve as mentors, relationship builders, and trusted resources for students every day. The conversation also covers anonymous reporting tools, the "See Something, Say Something" approach, emergency preparedness, the Walking School Bus program, and the layered security strategies used at schools and athletic events.

You'll also hear important reminders about the district's clear bag policy, event security screenings, traffic safety during drop-off and pick-up, and practical tips to help families navigate the excitement of the first weeks of school.

Whether you're a parent, student, staff member, or community supporter, this episode offers valuable insight into the people and programs working year-round to keep Savannah-Chatham County schools safe.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

"After the Bell" - the official podcast of the Savannah Chatham County Public School System - kicks off Season 2 with host Dee Daniels and guests Tamika Tribble, Executive Director of Engagement and Outreach, and Idell Biles, Family and Community Engagement Liaison, discussing back-to-school basics for Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

They explain how the engagement and outreach team bridges families, schools, and community and business partners, and how families can connect via sccpss.com, Let’s Talk, phone/email, and community events. Key updates include registration now open online, in-person registration help at Southwest Middle School July 14 (11:00 AM–6:30 PM) and July 16 (8:00 AM–4:00 PM), and support at the Student and Family Service Center (400 East Broad Street).

They outline required registration documents, transportation tools including InfoFinder and the Here Comes a Bus app, bus “dry runs” for families, the importance of attendance, free breakfast and lunch for all students again this year, Parent University resources, and volunteer and business partnership sign-ups.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Season Two Kickoff

00:48 Meet The Guests

02:20 Engagement Team Mission

04:05 How Families Connect

05:25 Registration Opens Now

08:03 In Person Registration Help

10:36 Who Registers And Documents

13:24 Transportation And Bus Tools

15:43 Here Comes The Bus App

18:35 PowerSchool Parent Portal

22:32 Attendance And Free Meals

26:02 Parent University Resources

29:59 Volunteer And Partner Up

30:54 First Day Favorites

32:13 Closing And District Info

Producer Dee Daniels interviews Heather DiTommaso, SCCPSS senior director of student information systems and an 18-year district employee, about preparing families for school registration.

DiTommaso explains that summer is a busy behind-the-scenes time to close out the year and set up transportation and other services, and notes that all SCCPSS students receive free breakfast and lunch. Registration for the 2026–27 school year is open now for new families and returning families with a break in enrollment, including pre-K students re-registering for kindergarten, and can be completed online at sccpss.com via Find It Fast > Registration, with in-person help available at 400 East Broad Street. Currently enrolled families should update address changes in the PowerSchool parent portal; residency affidavits must be renewed with a new proof of address before school ends.

Transportation routes can be viewed in the Here Comes the Bus app, and parents can request a PowerSchool account online to access attendance, grades, assignments, contact updates, absence notes, and report cards.

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:30 Meet Heather DiTommaso

01:13 Why Register Early

02:13 Free Meals Highlight

02:49 Online Registration Steps

04:25 In Person Help Options

05:02 Address Changes Explained

05:33 Residency Affidavit Rules

06:09 Transportation and Bus App

06:56 PowerSchool Account Setup

07:30 PowerSchool Parent Portal Benefits

08:40 First Day Feelings and Memories

10:20 Final Registration Advice

11:56 Wrap Up and Thanks

On this episode of After The Bell, producer Dee Daniels talks with SCCPSS Student Senate members Shrila Patel, Senior at Savannah Early College and Elliot Smith, Junior at Islands High School about how the districtwide student leadership group elevates student voice by identifying problems and seeking solutions across schools.

They discuss key focus areas including mental health and stress supports, communication of available resources, and making policies more consistent across schools. The students share impacts already made, including changes to uniform/dress code rules such as allowing certain hoodies and spirit wear, and note the benefit of remote learning/mental health days.

They also address ongoing concerns like bullying and discipline, future work on cell phone, grading, and discipline policies, and the need to integrate technology and AI responsibly into learning rather than banning it. They encourage more student participation and explain how to apply via flyers, QR codes, and the SCCPSS website.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 

00:00 Welcome and Guests

00:41 What Student Senate Does

01:46 Why Students Join

02:11 Goals and Priorities

03:15 Dress Code Wins

05:09 Next Policy Targets

05:40 Big Issues Students Share

06:56 Mental Health and Stress

09:20 How to Get Involved

11:30 Real Impact Moments

12:39 Bullying and Discipline

14:04 Phones and AI in School

16:08 Advice and Shoutouts

18:09 Future Plans and Wrap Up