The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sandy Springs Education Force comes to aid of local schools
Long before Sandy Springs was a city in its own right, residents were thinking about ways to improve the local schools. In 1993, a group of school board members and community advocates came together to establish after-school and mentoring programs.
Though that initiative waned in the early 2000s, it was brought back in full force 10 years ago when Irene Schweiger was named executive director of the Sandy Springs Education Force to support the city’s 10,600 students.
“The idea is to rally around the schools in the community, and everyone can do something, whether it’s read- ing to students, working with them on robotics or drones, or donating,” said Schweiger. “Everybody can do something at their interest level, and combined with everyone else, you can move a mountain.”
Led by a 21-member board of educators, business partners and residents, the non- profit focuses on Sandy Springs’ 11 public schools. The input from various sectors supports a range of programs aimed at helping stu- dents graduate and be productive.
“Sandy Springs is a unique area,” said Schweiger. “We are part of Fulton County Schools, and we have two high schools, two middle schools and seven elementaries within our borders. It’s also a very affluent community, and there are many wonderful private schools here.”
And that leads some to question why the community needs an education force to begin with.
“The fact is 55 percent of our students are on free and reduced lunch,” said Schwei- ger. “We particularly try to focus on those students to make a difference.”
The organization works closely with principals to address the specific needs of each school and students. As part of the literacy initia- tives, struggling students are paired with reading buddies from the community. Mini-li- braries stocked with donated books in four school lobbies allow students to pick books and keep them. Last year, that initiative gave away 14,000 texts. The Force is currently working on a lit- eracy program to address the “summer slide” — the season when kids usually stop reading.
Free after-school programs are also important. At Sandy Springs Charter Middle, more than 100 students have access to free homework help and support through a partnership with After School All Stars Atlanta, overseen by the College of Education and Human Development at Georgia State University.
“We have the only school they work with outside the Perimeter,” said Schweiger. “We also have tutoring and enrichment programs at North Springs that might include bringing in a business leader to talk about careers and the importance of staying in school.”
The Force pairs graduating seniors who have yet to figure out their post-high school options with counselors and volunteers who work with them one-on-one. Funds are available to help students pay for college applications or SAT test fees. A recent training session for those volunteers drew 40 people. That sort of community support is what makes the community’s schools better, said Schweiger: “The collective impact is astounding.”
STEAM-centered support is another priority. On March 13, the Force presents its ninth annual exhibition of real-world STEAM applications, with more than 25 local companies showcasing the work they do. Students also get to demonstrate their projects. The free event is open to the public at 6 p.m.