Sandy Springs Education Force Inc.

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“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: SAIL/CHOSEN Twenty five Riverwood International Charter School seniors and twenty five North Springs Charter High School seniors were identified by the counselors in February as being on target to graduate, but without post-secondary plans. Trained volunteers presented options and assisted students with post-secondary applications. SSEF provided 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 also visited the school. As a result of the program, 80% of the students were accepted to post-secondary institutions. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Link with a Leader SSEF recruited volunteers from various Latino professional organizations, including the Society of Hispanic Engineers, to mentor students during their lunch hour at Ridgeview Charter Middle School and Riverwood International Charter School. SSEF also partnered with the 100 Black Men to conduct a similar program at North Springs Charter High School. School staff identified students who might be at risk of dropping out of school. Sixty students from Ridgeview, thirty students from North Springs and 30 Riverwood students participated in the program. Students were given a mindset survey before and after the program. Results indicated a positive impact on empowerment and self-esteem for participating students. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Business Bridge This program offers students the opportunity to experience a business environment while still in high school. In partnership with the Technology Association of Georgia Education Collaborative, SSEF coordinated an internship workshop with various business professionals and 25 North Springs Charter High School students. These students were identified by the business department as students who would most benefit from this program, designed to prepare high school students to submit effective applications and differentiate themselves competitively in interviews. In addition to this program, SSEF also coordinated speaker opportunities for businessmen to visit the schools and assisted with internships opportunities for students. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Reading/Literacy Programs SSEF also partners with a number of community and civic organizations to provide reading and literacy initiatives in Sandy Springs public schools. 120 students at Ison Springs Elementary School participated in the reading literacy program in partnership with Altrusa, a community service organization. SSEF partnered with Art Sandy Springs to bring the Sandy Springs Reads program to first graders at Ison Springs Elementary, Dunwoody Springs Elementary and Lake Forest Elementary schools. SSEF also requested a grant from Build a Bear Foundation to provide science books for home libraries for students at Lake Forest Elementary. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 8: Teacher Supply Closet In partnership with the Community Assistance Center (CAC), SSEF coordinated school supply drives in the community. Supplies are stored at the CAC and the Sandy Springs public school teachers can request supplies for their needy students through the SSEF website. This year, over 1400 students received needed school supplies through this program. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 9: Reading Buddies The program is an intervention program designed for reading success for at-risk students. Twelve second grade students at Ison Springs Elementary and fifteen fourth grade students at Lake Forest Elementary were identified by teachers as needing extra assistance in reading. . Volunteers were asked to come in once per week to read to a student for 30 minutes during their lunch period. Orientation, support and training were provided for volunteers. Books suitable for the grade level were 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 motiva”