Sarah Smith Elementary School

2023-2024 Curriculum Narrative

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 

The largest percentage of SSEF funding is dedicated to academic enrichment and curriculum-enhancing educational programs. These dollars support curriculum initiatives that further all SRS students' mastery of Math, Science, English, and the Arts. 

Academic Competition Programs 

Provides funds for academic competitions such as the Technology Fair and Science Fair, where select SRS students represent our school in district- and state-level competitions.

Grades: 3-5

$500 

Classroom Libraries 

In addition to the school’s media center, classroom libraries and the bookroom provide broader access to literary resources. In-class libraries help enhance literacy and increase time spent reading. They also help improve fluency, phonics, phonemic awareness, and reading comprehension. Funds pay for books for each class, leveled readers, and novels to support both the Georgia Standards of Excellence and the IB Inquiry-based Units. Grades: 

All

$5,000 

Guided Readers

Guided readers are used by teachers in a small group of students, with the same level of reading skill, to navigate the reading process to where they read independently. These lessons teach students in a guided reading group how to develop reading comprehension.

All

$1,500

Fundations

Fundations is a systematic phonics, spelling and handwriting program.  The program involves lessons that focus on skills that improve alphabet awareness, decoding, spelling and vocabulary development.

Grades: K-3

$1,500

Specials: Art, Foreign Languages, Music, & PE 

Provides funds for program-enhancing training, materials, and equipment to supplement what APS provides. 

Grades: All

$12,000 

Technology Integration

Provides instructional technology and hardware to assist in the goal of equipping every classroom with state-of-the-art teaching tools. 

Grades: All

$5,000 

MATH

Our new math standards encourage children to learn to demonstrate skills and strategies needed to succeed in mathematics, including critical thinking, reasoning, effective collaboration, and expression. Provides materials to support student success in math.

Grades: K-5

$15,000

Math Manipulatives 

These include base ten counters, geometry builder sets, ten frame sets, teaching cash registers, measuring spoons, geoboards, play money, clock dials, and more. These manipulatives help students learn about counting, time, measurement, geometric shapes, addition, and subtraction to support the Georgia Standards of Excellence and Eureka Math. 

Grades: All

$1000

SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES 

High Touch High Tech 

Local scientists set up and oversee in-house field trips that provide our students with hands-on learning directly tied to each grade level’s Science curriculum and the Georgia Standards of Excellence. 

Grades: All

$17,400 

TOTAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS……………….$58,400

TALENT & MANAGEMENT 

The SSEF is committed to supporting faculty development opportunities that encourage teaching innovation and excellence. Investments in this area include a focus on improving teacher efficacy in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. 

Classroom Investment Funds 

With the goal of enhancing the teaching environment at SRS, the SSEF provides a $300 check to every full-time teacher to purchase individualized classroom supplies in support of the curriculum. Part-time teachers receive a check for $150, and Kindergarten paraprofessionals receive a check for $50. 

Grades: All

$22,000

International Baccalaureate Training 

SSEF funds are available for all teachers to attend IB training and development opportunities. 

Grades: All

$30,000

Teacher Initiatives Program (Faculty Grants) 

The SSEF offers a grant program  allowing teachers to apply for up to $500 through the Teacher Initiatives Program, to try out innovative ideas and fresh educational approaches in their classrooms. 

Grades: All

$3,000 

Teacher Training & Enrichment

SSEF funds are available for teachers to attend training in the following areas and more: Fundations, Fountas and Pinnell reading and writing, Dual Immersion, and GATE.

Grades: All

$20,000

TOTAL TALENT & MANAGEMENT………………. $75,000

SYSTEMS RESOURCES

The SSEF invests to build systems and resources to support IB, Dual Immersion implementation, and ESOL community support.

Dual Immersion 

Funds provide classroom materials and supplies in English and Spanish to support the fidelity of program implementation for dual immersion cohorts in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Additionally, these funds support professional learning for the teachers. 

Grades: K-5

$2,000 

International Baccalaureate Inquiry Materials, Resources, Dues, & Programming Fees 

SRS first earned IB status in 2006. The IB program encourages students to be active, curious learners, well-rounded individuals, and engaged world citizens. This program impacts the whole curriculum at SRS as this instructional philosophy permeates all facets of our instructional programming. IB teaches each student essential skills for learning and becoming a productive global citizen. SSEF funds pay for inquiry materials for each grade required development and training of teachers, and programming fees and dues. 

Grades: All Grades

$15,326

TOTAL SYSTEMS & RESOURCES………………. $17,326

CULTURE 

The SSEF strives to foster and support a positive, informed, and engaged school culture and community. 

Administrative Support 

Provides funds for the Principal and Assistant Principals to use for additional needs not met by APS, such as trophies and medals for annual student awards. 

$2,500

International Travelers Week 

The International Travelers Program is a week-long classroom immersion in the culture, history, and language of a foreign country. The program, which is unique to Sarah Smith, is a collaboration among a cadre of dedicated parent volunteers, teachers, and administrators and “transports” the school to a new country every year. It is consistently noted by Sarah Smith students as one of the most fun and memorable learning experiences each year.

Grades: All

$2,000 

TOTAL CULTURE………………. $4,500

TOTAL 2023-2024 SSEF BUDGET………………. $155,226