"Race to Nowhere" Movie Event Success!
On March 24th and 25th over 300 Sandy Springs parents, teachers and administrators attended our first SSEF educational movie event, Race to Nowhere at Riverwood International Charter High School. Portrayed through the heartbreaking stories of students, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools where students have been pushed to the brink, educators are burned out and worried, and parents - trying to do the best for their kids -unwittingly contribute to the problem.
Following the movie, Dr. Abby Friedman (Powers Ferry Psychological Associates) and Jay Underwood (High Meadows Academy Head of School) on Thursday night, and Harriet Litsky (CEO of Advancing Educators) and Dr. David Schwartz (Powers Ferry Psychological Associates) on Friday night, lead thought-provoking discussions with attendees. SSEF was pleased to be able to facilitate a community conversation about the educational environment in today's high-stress, fast-paced world. Future educational movie events will be coming soon! |
|
Senior Push Student Spotlight
(L to R: Kevin Taylor, GA Dept. of Labor, Muhammed Abdullah, Ariel Petro, Counselor)
January of last year, North Springs Charter School (NSCHS) Senior, Muhammed Abdullah, had no plans and no direction. "I didn't know if I was going to take a year off or start school. I didn't really know anything about how to apply to colleges." Luckily for Muhammed, Ariel Petro, NSCHS counselor, launched the second year of Senior Push, an SSEF sponsored program designed to assist seniors who have no post-secondary high school plans. Senior Push students are walked through the college application process by trained parent volunteers. SSEF provides the application fees and mailing costs, and some Board members volunteer with the program. Last year, over 70 seniors participated in Senior Push and approximately 70% went on to achieve their post-secondary plans. Currently for 2011, 57 students are in the program.
Demetria Lane, an SSEF Board member, was Muhammed's parent mentor. "It was a privilege to work with such a motivated young man. His life now has limitless potential." Muhammed feels very appreciative to have participated in Senior Push. This spring, he returned to NSCHS as an invited speaker to the 2011 class of Senior Push. His hope was to do what was done for him: inspire students to continue to work toward their futures and pursue their educational aspirations and dreams. |
|
An ALL STAR Afternoon
Our second year of Afternoon All Stars at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School has been a huge success! We have grown to serving over 120 students in this comprehensive after school program. Partnering with Georgia State University, the program runs from 4:00PM to 6:00PM, Monday through Friday and incorporates academics in the first hour followed by sports and recreational activities in the second hour. It also includes many unique activities such as, field trips, special events, guest speakers and workshops. SSEF provides financial assistance for students who are on free and reduced lunch. All other students only pay $200 per nine week session to attend the program.
Among other notable guests this year, Atlanta Falcon football players Erik Coleman, Kroy Biermann and John Abraham (pictured above) visited ASAS student-fans. The football players participated in enrichment activities with the students and then spoke about the importance of staying in school and getting a good education. |
