Sandy Springs Education Force Inc

Reading Buddies – This program is conducted at four of our seven elementary schools. Teachers identify students in need of assistance with reading. Once per week volunteers read to a chosen student for 30 minutes during their lunch period. Orientation, support and training are provided for volunteers. Suitable books are purchased by SSEF and kept on a cart for SSEF volunteers to use with their students. The objective of the program is to foster positive feelings about reading, thereby improving motivation, self-confidence and reading skills, all centered on a meaningful relationship with a caring adult.

Mini-Libraries – This program reaches out to at-risk students by providing them with immediate, home-based access to high quality books that they can read and keep. Portable, free-standing, newspaper- type dispensaries are placed in strategic location sites at six elementary, two middle and two high schools. Volunteers collect donated books and fill the dispensaries with books that are nationally recognized as “approved reading” to ensure appropriate books are dispensed. Students are asked to take two books at a time to read at home and can either keep or return them to the bin. The program also includes an evening event with parents at both schools in which students are given books to take home with them. Mini Libraries gives out about 13,000 books each year.

Backpack Book Club - The Backpack Book Club is a free summer literacy program which will serve 100 Ison Springs Elementary School kindergarten to fifth grade students, who are economically disadvantaged. Certified teachers from the school, with the support of volunteers, will hold weekly reading and discussion sessions with students grouped by levels at their apartment complex community center. The goal of the program is that students will maintain or increase their reading levels over the summer.

Author Connection - This program invites authors to visit our schools to engage the students in reading and writing, as well as provide insight as to the path of becoming an author. Students listen to the authors read their books, ask questions about the stories and about how the authors began their writing careers, as well as ask for advice about their personal writing aspirations and experiences.

After-School All- Stars –This comprehensive after school program takes place five day per week/ two hours per day at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School, incorporating academic remediation and enrichment. The program is implemented in collaboration with the Georgia State University Research Foundation and After-School All-Stars Atlanta. Transportation is provided by the school. 97% percent of the students in the program are economically disadvantaged. Students consistently show an increase in test scores and grades, a decrease in disciplinary infractions and an increase in attendance as a result of participation in this program.

After-School North Springs - This high school program incorporates many of the same elements as its middle school counterpart. Operating three afternoons a week at North Springs Charter High School, the program offers academic support for one hour followed by enrichment activities, field trips, exposure to college and vocational schools and career opportunities.

Junior Achievement (JA) – This program is delivered to students at North Springs Charter High School in collaboration with JA and the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce provides valuable financial literacy education to ninth grade students a Career Success program to tenth graders. The program has a structured curriculum designed to educate students in a grade level appropriate manner.

SAIL & CHOSEN – For the SAIL program, Riverwood International Charter School seniors are identified by counselors in February as being on target to graduate, but without post secondary plans. Trained volunteers present options and assist students with post-secondary applications. SSEF provides funds for application fees as well as SAT/ACT fees for those students needing financial assistance. As part of the program, representatives from local post-secondary institutions visit the school. As a result of the program, 84% of the students were accepted to post-secondary institutions this year. A similar program called CHOSEN is implemented at North Springs Charter High School. 87% of the students who participate in this program are accepted to post- secondary institutions.

Link with a Leader – This program is designed to provide targeted students with an opportunity to meet and learn about the world outside of school from members of the business community. Community mentors such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and 100 Black Men of North Metro are asked to share their stories while stressing the importance of getting a good education to students who would not otherwise hear this message. Graduation coaches at both schools identified students who might be at risk of dropping out of school. Students are given a mindset survey before and after the program. Results indicated a positive impact on empowerment and self-esteem for participating students.
 
Business Bridge – SSEF works with the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee to engage members of the business community in our Sandy Springs public schools. This program matches business leaders to requests from our schools which can include speaking at career/industry centered events, as well as lending their expertise to a particular classroom unit of study. SSEF also assists members of our local business community in connecting with our students through various SSEF Programs such as SAIL/Chosen, Link with a Leader, STEAM Grant After School Clubs, After School All Stars and Junior Achievement. In addition, the community collaboration with our local businesses provides opportunities for our students to participate in career fairs, field trips and business sponsored workshops.