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

SCCPSS Registration 2026–27: Online Enrollment, PowerSchool, Address Updates, and Transportation Tips

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

SCCPSS After The Bell: Student Senate on Student Voice, Mental Health, Dress Code, Cell Phones, and AI in 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 [https://www.sccpss.com/contact-us] District Calendar [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar] Lunch Menus [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar/menus] Literacy is Our North Star [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/strategy-performance/literacy-is-our-north-star] Engagement and Outreach [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/partners] Map of Schools [https://www.sccpss.com/district/map-of-schools] Athletics Department [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/leadership/secondary/athletics] Career Opportunities [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/human-resources/careers] Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell" [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   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

HATS OFF: Graduation Season 2026 with Kimberly McGuire and Dr. Douglas Simmons

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System. [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/after-the-bell] 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 [https://www.sccpss.com/contact-us] District Calendar [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar] Lunch Menus [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar/menus] Literacy is Our North Star [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/strategy-performance/literacy-is-our-north-star] Engagement and Outreach [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/partners] Map of Schools [https://www.sccpss.com/district/map-of-schools] Athletics Department [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/leadership/secondary/athletics] Career Opportunities [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/human-resources/careers] Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell" [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   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

Summer Level Up: Camps, STEM, Apprenticeships, and Literacy Support with Dr. Troy Brown

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/after-the-bell] - 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 [https://www.sccpss.com/contact-us] District Calendar [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar] Lunch Menus [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar/menus] Literacy is Our North Star [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/strategy-performance/literacy-is-our-north-star] Engagement and Outreach [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/partners] Map of Schools [https://www.sccpss.com/district/map-of-schools] Athletics Department [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/leadership/secondary/athletics] Career Opportunities [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/human-resources/careers] Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell" [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   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

Early Learning Matters: Kindergarten Readiness, Literacy, and Play-Based Pre-K with Andrea Burkiett

"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/after-the-bell]   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 [https://www.sccpss.com/contact-us] District Calendar [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar] Lunch Menus [https://www.sccpss.com/calendar/menus] Literacy is Our North Star [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/strategy-performance/literacy-is-our-north-star] Engagement and Outreach [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/public-affairs/partners] Map of Schools [https://www.sccpss.com/district/map-of-schools] Athletics Department [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/leadership/secondary/athletics] Career Opportunities [https://www.sccpss.com/departments/human-resources/careers] Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell" [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   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