Back-to-School Safety: What Every Family Needs to Know

Back-to-School Safety: What Every Family Needs to Know

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 [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/]

Season 2 Kick-Off: SCCPSS Back-to-School Registration, Transportation, PowerSchool, and Family Engagement

"After the Bell" - the official podcast of the Savannah Chatham County Public School System [https://www.sccpss.com/] - 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 [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 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

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