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