Sandy Springs Society Donates Grant To Riverwood Foundation

Sign up for the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter!

---

The Sandy Springs Society has donated a $7,000 grant to the Riverwood Foundation.

The grant will be used to advance Riverwood International Charter School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination initiative, its nationally recognized learning program for college preparedness launched in 2014.

This is the second grant the Springs Society has provided to the AVID program, which was established to promote school-wide learning and performance.

Ranked as one of Georgia’s top 10 Most Challenging High Schools and recognized as one of the state’s top Advanced Placement Merit Schools, AP STEM Achievement Schools and AP STEM Schools, Riverwood is focusing on raising graduation rates, particularly among students in the academic middle.

Students apply to join the AVID program, and teachers undergo special training in the use of AVID’s tools and methodologies.

“We greatly appreciate The Sandy Springs Society’s award,” said Principal Dr. Robert Shaw. “Since AVID’s establishment at Riverwood, support from The Society and the Riverwood Foundation has enabled teachers to attend training and get the program off the ground, and has helped AVID students succeed with the necessary tools and tutoring. This fresh infusion of funds is helping us charge forward with this important initiative.”

Riverwood’s first AVID students completed their freshmen year with a B average, and many of the students who had not been ineligible for honors and AP courses were approved for such higher level classes for the 2015-2016 school year.

“AVID has made a difference in my first year of high school by teaching me the fundamentals of organization,” said Jatoria Shaw, a Riverwood sophomore participating in AVID. “It is impossible to be successful in school without good organizational skills and mine have improved a lot.”

Karen Meinzen McEnerny, president of The Sandy Springs Society, said the group is “committed to doing our part to improve the quality of life in Sandy Springs.”

“We support Riverwood’s AVID program because it makes a difference in the lives of many families,” Meinzen McEnerny added. “Keeping students in school and providing a path to their long-term success is not only good for Riverwood; it’s good for our entire community.”

Founded in 1988, The Sandy Springs Society is a group of residents who support Sandy Springs nonprofit organizations in the areas of heritage, arts, education, the environment and social services.

---

Photo: Back row, L to R, students Lillian Weinstein, Daniela Zepeda, Maia Stapleton, Julisa Bautista, Phillia Pryor, Megan Ta, Brittany Rhodes, Paige Bradshaw, Maria Paque, Jatoria Shaw, Jordan Luck, Prince Gaines, Jesus Flores, Jabari Marts, Rosa, Mocezuma, Fran Mahan, Brittany Sailors, Max Gertz and Gene Archer. Front row, L to R, Suzanne Caruthers, president of the Riverwood Foundation; Dr. Robert Shaw, principal of Riverwood International Charter School; Elizabeth (Lib) Thompson, past president of the Sandy Springs Society, Gail Cohn, the Society’s civic affairs chair, and Coach Leonard “Buck” Jenkins and head teacher of Riverwood’s AVID program.