About After the Bell: The Official Podcast of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
After the Bell is the official podcast of Savannah-Chatham County Public School System — your all-access pass to the people, programs, and stories that make our schools shine.
Each episode, we go beyond the classroom walls to highlight student voices, teacher perspectives, and the innovative programs shaping the future of education in Savannah. From academics and the arts to mental health, nutrition, athletics, and career pathways, we’re bringing you the conversations that matter most to our school community.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, or neighbor, After the Bell gives you a fun, informative, and inspiring look at the heart of SCCPSS.
Cracking the Code: Literacy, Tutoring & the Data Behind Student Success | Heather Corbett & Jessica Reid Sliwerski
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
15 Sept 2026
Strategic Business Partnerships and Workforce Development in Savannah-Chatham Schools with Clyde Newton
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
1 Sept 2026
Rethinking School Cafeteria Food with SCCPSS Nutrition Manager Matthew Kubiak
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
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact After the Bell: The Official Podcast of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
