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

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

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System. This episode, producer Dee Daniels talks with Kimberly McGuire, Executive Director of Student Support Services, and Dr. Douglas Simmons, Director of Counseling Services, about graduation season and celebrating the class of 2026 in Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

They discuss what graduation represents for students, families, and the entire school community, and share behind-the-scenes planning details at Enmarket Arena, including rehearsals, cap-and-gown coordination, security and clear bag policy, nursing/EMS support, and diploma logistics. They explain ticketing (15 tickets per graduate via Enmarket-specific Ticketmaster access), arrival timing, seating and accessibility, free parking, hydration, and that ceremonies are livestreamed with replays on YouTube via the district graduation page.

They also offer guidance for families supporting graduates emotionally and practically through postsecondary transitions, emphasizing self-advocacy, persistence, and using available resources.

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

00:41 Meet the Graduation Team

01:54 Why Graduation Matters

03:29 Behind the Scenes Planning

06:39 Speeches and Student Moments

07:22 Tickets Timing and Entry Tips

12:19 Livestream and Replays

12:50 Supporting Graduation Emotions

16:27 Advice for the Class

19:18 Looking Ahead and Final Congrats

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System - this episode ... producer Dee Daniels interviews Dr. Troy Brown, network superintendent for elementary and K–8 schools, about SCCPSS Summer Level Up opportunities.

Brown outlines four summer learning tracks: initial credit for high school students seeking advanced credits; credit recovery/remediation for grades 3–12 tied to promotion or graduation; blended learning with targeted platform-based support; and literacy enrichment camps for English learners in K–2 and 6–8, plus RISE (adaptive recreational and instructional enrichment) and extended school year for special needs students.

Families will be notified if attendance is required, with registration and strict four-week attendance expectations; transportation is provided except for Choice program students. He highlights optional offerings like Oatland Island and Massey camps, scholarships so cost isn’t a barrier, Georgia Tech-linked Seismic STEM camp, and workforce apprenticeships. Brown also shares home learning tips and his path into education inspired by a former math teacher.

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 Introductions

00:35 Summer Level Up Overview

01:19 Four Summer Learning Tracks

02:24 Family Requirements and Logistics

03:32 Camps at Oatland and Massey

04:41 Scholarships and Extra Programs

06:19 Preventing Summer Learning Loss

08:20 Explorers Academy Breakdown

09:17 Ignite Reading Tutors

10:47 Dr Brown Career Journey

13:08 Closing Thanks and Wrap Up

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System

Recording at the Massie Heritage Center, producer Dee Daniels interviews Andrea Burkiett, Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction at SCCPSS, about early learning and why it matters.

Burkiett shares how a childhood moment inspired her to become a teacher and explains early learning (birth–5) versus early childhood education (K–5), emphasizing that learning begins at birth and that 90% of neuron pathways develop from birth to five. She describes how early experiences shape vocabulary, book handling, routines, and peer interactions, and outlines misconceptions that pre-K is “babysitting,” noting it is standards-based, intentional learning through play.

The conversation covers early literacy (conversation, storytelling, sounds), early math (sorting, patterns, comparisons), social-emotional growth, enrichment to build background knowledge, and kindergarten readiness through language exposure and life skills. She highlights Georgia’s Child Find, encourages enrolling four-year-olds in available pre-K seats, and describes a typical pre-K day of large/small group centers and targeted instruction.

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 Introductions

00:30 Andrea’s Origin Story

01:56 Why Early Learning Matters

03:58 Foundations Kids Build

06:57 Early Literacy in Pre-K

08:24 Math Through Play

09:29 Social Emotional Growth

11:16 Enrichment Beyond Screens

14:13 Kindergarten Readiness

17:01 Support for Different Needs

20:09 A Day in Pre-K

22:16 Future Vision and Career Advice

25:10 Closing Thanks

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System

Producer Dee Daniels interviews Christina Maldonado, director of Oatland Island Wildlife Center, about her 30-year education career and path from district science specialist to director.

Maldonado shares Oatland’s history—from a 1927 railroad conductors’ retirement home to a 1941 U.S. Public Health Service research facility (including invention of the fly strip), then its 1974 agreement to be operated by Savannah-Chatham schools and full transfer in 2004.

She explains the mission to foster appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and discovery, featuring only native plants and animals. Oatland spans 100 acres with over two miles of trails, about 40 species and 100 animals that cannot survive in the wild, and nearly 30 staff. They offer field trips, camps, toddler Tuesdays, Citizen Saturdays, author events, volunteer opportunities, and membership and donation ways to support animal care and enrichment.

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 Guest Intro

00:40 Oatland Memories and Impact

01:14 Christina Path to Director

02:34 Oatland History Timeline

04:52 Mission and Native Wildlife Focus

05:57 Animals and Rescue Stories

08:05 Trails Habitats and Visitor Experience

10:00 Behind the Scenes Team

11:23 School Programs and Community Partners

13:05 Field Trips and Partners

14:05 Year Round Programs

14:36 Camps and Toddler Tuesdays

15:25 New March Reading Event

17:12 Why People Visit

18:42 Citizen Saturdays Explained

19:11 Youth OWL Program

21:15 Volunteers Make It Work

21:52 How to Support Oatland

23:48 Closing Thanks and Links

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System

Producer Dee Daniels interviews curator Steve Smith at Savannah’s Massie Heritage Center about the site’s history, programs, and future. Smith traces Massie’s origins to Peter Massie’s 1841 bequest that funded a school built by architect John Norris and opened in 1856; it later served as a Union hospital, a Freedmen’s school, and then the first public school in Georgia’s first public school system formed by Savannah and Chatham County in 1866, operating until 1974.

After years of reuse, Friends of Massie helped reopen it in 1978 as a “museum school” using the “community is the classroom” model of place-based education. Smith describes exhibits on Savannah’s city plan, architecture, preservation, maritime history, Native Americans, and a 19th-century classroom, plus events like May Day and outreach programs such as History on Wheels, while noting building repair needs and growth in visiting school groups.

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 Massie

00:32 Origins After the Fire

02:46 From School to Heritage

05:30 Savannah First Public Schools

06:24 Where Massie Sits

08:49 Museum School Model

11:27 Touring the Exhibits

17:58 May Day and Programs

22:07 Future Goals and Repairs

24:34 How to Visit and Book

26:09 Closing Thanks

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System

Producer Dee Daniels is at the Massie Heritage Center with District Math Content Specialists Stephen Salley - K-8 Content Specialist, Dr. Beth Tuck - Elementary Content Specialist, and Dana Marie - 6-12 Content Specialist.

They discuss changing the mindset that some people are “not math people,” emphasizing math as puzzles, games, and problem-solving—not just computation—and the reward of seeing students make connections. The guests explain the district’s K–12 math textbook adoption: 16 vendor proposals were rated by a nine-person group and narrowed to four products now being piloted in 24 schools for about six weeks, with educators and community members able to review materials and complete rubrics/surveys.

They outline how parent-teacher communication and events like Math Night help families understand instruction and advocate for students. Key dates are shared: public review at Port Wentworth on February 19 from 4–6 PM and the end of educator review and the classroom pilot period on February 27. The conversation closes with each guest naming influential educators and affirming math as their favorite subject.

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 + Meet the Math Team

00:29 “Everyone’s a Math Person”: Changing the Mindset

00:58 What Math Content Specialists Do (K–12 Roles)

01:33 The Best Part: When Math Finally Clicks

02:55 New K–12 Math Textbook Pilot: What’s Happening

03:35 How Textbook Adoption Works (16 Vendors → Top 4)

04:15 The “Why”: Consistency, Access, and Support for All Learners

06:06 How Teachers & Families Can Review and Give Feedback (Public Review Details)

08:08 Bridging Math at School and Home: QR Codes, AI, and Parent Advocacy

10:15 What a “Math Night” Is (and Why It Helps)

12:17 What the Adoption Means for Students: Models, Discourse, Real-World Math

15:49 What Happens Next: Scoring Rubrics, Key Dates, and Final Selection

18:30 Quick-Fire: Influential Teachers & Favorite Subjects + Wrap-Up

In this episode of "After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System, producer Dee Daniels sits down with Samantha King, the Director of Instructional Technology and Media Services.

Recorded from White Bluff Elementary School's media center, the discussion covers the evolution of educational technology in SCCPSS, the integration of personalized learning tools like Waggle, and the importance of digital citizenship. Samantha also outlines the district's rigorous cybersecurity measures, policies on cell phone usage, and plans for the future, including the strategic adoption of AI and other emerging technologies. The episode concludes with a heartfelt shout-out to inspiring educators and some fun reflections on student life.

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 Introduction to Samantha King

00:58 The Evolution of Technology in Classrooms

02:49 Integrating Technology for Better Outcomes

06:29 Teacher Training and Support

08:01 Digital Citizenship and Information Literacy

11:05 Parental Involvement and Resources

12:55 Student Privacy and Cybersecurity Measures

17:39 Personal Cell Phones in Schools

23:18 Emerging Technologies: AI and VR

25:48 Getting Support and Final Thoughts

27:39 Fun Questions and Closing Remarks

In this episode of "After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System, producer Dee Daniels visits White Bluff Elementary School and interviews Amy Perry, the Director of Career Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs.

Amy explains the evolution of vocational training into modern CTAE programs, detailing the 17 career clusters and 45 unique career pathways available to students. The conversation covers the hands-on learning experiences, work-based learning opportunities, and the introduction of new career pathways such as HVAC, heavy equipment operations, and virtual reality certifications.

Amy shares success stories, including student projects, field trips, and the significance of industry-recognized certifications. The episode also touches on the importance of life skills, dual enrollment, and the high graduation rates among CTAE students. Finally, Amy reflects on her own educational journey and the inspirational teachers and mentors in her life.

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 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:33 Understanding CTAE: Definition and Mission

01:26 Evolution of Vocational Training

03:13 Exploring Career Clusters and Pathways

05:13 In-Demand Career Pathways

08:14 Hands-On Learning in CTAE

10:35 Work-Based Learning and Community Partnerships

12:23 Industry Recognized Credentials and Student Success

17:14 Middle School Preparation and Dual Enrollment

21:19 Personal Reflections and Closing Remarks

Welcome to 'After the Bell' the official podcast of Savannah Chatham County Public School System!

Producer Dee Daniels is at White Bluff Elementary's media center with Jessica Horton, the Director of Choice Programs at SCCPSS. Jessica shares insights about the 27 specialized Choice Programs available to students.

From STEM to performing arts, these programs allow students to pursue their passions from K-12. Jessica explains the application process, benefits of the choice programs, and the pilot transportation initiative. She emphasizes the importance of following students' interests and their role in the program's success. Join us for an inspiring conversation about how these programs empower students and prepare them for the future.

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 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Overview of Choice Programs

01:38 Application Process and Criteria

03:27 Developing New Choice Programs

05:52 Specific Choice Programs and Opportunities

08:03 Application Timeline and Requirements

10:16 Transportation and Accessibility

11:29 Auditions and Specialized Programs

14:20 Personal Insights and Fun Questions

17:06 Career Journey and Final Thoughts