North Springs Charter High School Wins $10,300 Grant

Sign up for the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter!

---

North Springs Charter High School has received a financial boost from one of Sandy Springs’ flagship organization.

The Sandy Springs Society recently awarded a $10,300 grant to the school’s Math Department. The grant was used to purchase classroom response devices for the more than 1,600 math students taking courses ranging from Algebra 1 to AP Calculus.

“The hand held devices encourage participation from each and every student,” said Math Department Chair Jessica Woods, who collaborated with the Friends of North Springs Foundation to write the grant. “Students can click in their answer and instantaneously the answers are posted for the class to see and it can be anonymous. It’s a great way for teachers to determine if students are understanding the concept being taught.”

Student Deraun Fry agreed, adding it’s easier to ”get the answer.”

“It’s a lot faster,” he added. “It’s fun.

Sandy Springs Society President Karen Meinzen McEnerny and Philanthropy Chair Joan Plunkett visited Fry’s Algebra 1 to see the devices in action.

“We are so impressed,“ McEnerny said. “Students are learning skills they’ll need for their future and we’re happy the clickers will be used by so many students.”

Plunkett, who also served as a past present, added the Sandy Springs Society -- the city’s largest philanthropic organization -- has given over $3 million back to the community in its 27 years of service.

This latest grant is the second one the school has received. Last year, the Science Department used funds to purchase lab equipment needed for lessons.

---

Photo 1: Algebra student Deraun Fry with Friends of North Springs Foundation grant chair Mary Reid, Sandy Springs’ philantrophy chair Joan Plunkett, Sandy Springs Society President Karen Meinzen McEnerny, Principal Eddie Ruiz, Math Department Chair Jessica Woods, and Foundation president, Sandra Jewell.
Photo 2: A North Springs Algebra 1 class shows off the new response devices they are using to reinforce math concepts with Sandy Springs Society president Karen Meinzen McEnerny and Philanthropy Chair, Joan Plunkett. The devices were purchased thanks to a $10,300 grant from The Sandy Springs Society.
Photo 3: Joan Plunkett, Sandra Jewell, Mary Reid and Karen Meinzen McEnery pose with North Springs Charter High School’s turtle. The turtles found throughout the City was a major fundraiser spearheaded by The Sandy Springs Society. Plunkett’s son-in-law is former NSCHS grad Frank Weisser, a Naval Academy graduate and lead solo pilot for the Blue Angels.
Photo credits: North Springs Charter High School