Investment Areas

SSEF funds provided new classroom library books for teachers, as well as phonics and decoding materials to strengthen early literacy instruction. Additional investments supported iReady, a digital program that builds fluency and comprehension, along with Morpheme Magic to reinforce word study skills. Together, these resources ensure students have access to strong foundational literacy supports across grade levels.
Grades: All - $11,961 

Local scientists bring hands-on, inquiry-based science programs directly into SRS classrooms. These “in-house field trips” align with Georgia Standards of Excellence and give students memorable applications of scientific concepts — such as weather investigations in 1st grade and cosmic explorations in 4th grade.
Grades: All - $19,940

SRS is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school. The IB program promotes active learning, well-roundedness, and global citizenship, shaping the entire curriculum at SRS. SSEF funds cover IB dues, program fees, and inquiry materials. This year, support also included evaluation expenses, adoption of Toddle as a lesson-planning tool, and purchase of science lab resources to strengthen inquiry-based learning across grade levels.
Grades: All - $20,794

The International Travelers Program is a week-long immersion in a foreign country’s culture, history, and language. Unique to Sarah Smith, it brings global learning to every student through parent, teacher, and community collaboration. This year, students traveled to Mexico through hands-on curriculum experiences such as art projects with monarch butterflies, gardens, maracas, and luchador masks, as well as cultural traditions like folkloric dance and music. Assemblies and experience stations further enriched learning, connecting students with authentic Mexican music, history, and celebrations. As part of SRS’s IB framework, International Travelers Week extends the classroom curriculum by helping students build knowledge, skills, and global perspectives beyond the textbook.
Grades: All - $5,000

SSEF funds supported both digital and hands-on resources to strengthen math instruction across grade levels. Investments included Happy Numbers and Struggly applications, printed math workbooks aligned to Georgia DOE standards, and a variety of manipulatives such as classroom clocks, coins, place value tools, and number games. These materials help students build essential skills in number sense, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning through interactive practice. 
Grades: All - $17,350

SSEF funds supported interactive programs and resources that deepen student engagement in science and social studies. Investments included Generation Genius, Science A-Z, and Stemscopes to strengthen curriculum, along with support for family Science Night, which gave students the opportunity to explore scientific concepts beyond the classroom.
Grades: 3-5 - $8,273

SSEF provides funds for program-enhancing training, materials, and equipment to supplement what APS provides. This year, support included PE equipment (pickleball sets, scooters, soccer balls, parachutes, and safety/first aid supplies), art materials, music instruments and sheet music for performances, microphones to improve sound quality, and Spanish classroom resources to enrich language instruction.
Grades: All - $8,662

SSEF funds supported interactive programs and resources that deepen student engagement in science and social studies. Investments included Generation Genius, Science A-Z, and Stemscopes to strengthen curriculum, along with support for family Science Night, which gave students the opportunity to explore scientific concepts beyond the classroom.
Grades: All - $22,901

SSEF funds are available for all teachers to attend required IB training and development opportunities. These sessions deepen teacher expertise in the Primary Years Program and strengthen classroom instruction, ensuring students experience inquiry-based learning across every subject.
Grades: All - $32,636

SSEF invests directly in our teachers through grants and professional learning. The Teacher Initiatives Grant Program provides up to $500 for educators to pilot innovative ideas and bring fresh approaches into their classrooms. SSEF also funds training in areas such as reading and writing instruction, dyslexia, GATE, faculty support, and leadership development. These opportunities ensure teachers have the tools, resources, and knowledge to better support every SRS student.
Grades: All - $13,139