Dear SPARK Parent,
Welcome to Springdale Park Elementary School (SPARK) for the 2014-2015 school year! SPARK had a great year of
academic performance in 2013-2014. For the fifth year in a row, SPARK is one of the best-performing, most
sought-after elementary schools in the district and in the metro Atlanta area. Donors like you have made these
accomplishments possible.
Thank you for your support!
Since 2009, the enthusiastic SPARK community has recognized the needs of the teachers and students through
very active parent and community support in-kind and financial contributions. It is important that we recognize
and thank this tremendous community for making our school all it can be! In the 2013-2014 school year, SPARK’s
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Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) funded not only lockers for the 5 graders but over $80,000 in programs to
support our teachers and our children. The following programs would have not been possible without the financial
support of this community:
 Saxon Phonics
 Leveled Reading Book Room
 STAR Assessment for Math and Reading
 Brain Pop
 Common Core Standard Development
 IXL Math
 Study Island
 Writing Coach
 First in Math
What do we need from you this year?
As SPARK continues to grow, the total financial need grows. We have increased the student population to at least
680, an estimated additional 60 students over last year. To provide the same level of support to our school,
SPARK’s PTO Annual Fund from families must raise at least $112,000. This translates to a minimum cost of
$165/student. We would like to reach a 75% participation rate. We are hoping for a BIG improvement in
participation over last year’s 33% participation. Of course, everyone cannot contribute equally, so please consider
some of the following questions when you determine your 2014-2015 contribution level:
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How many children do you have attending SPARK this year? Do you have younger children that will be
attending SPARK in the future?
How passionate are you about your desire to provide your child and your child’s teacher access to the
tools they need to excel?
Can I spare a little extra considering that not every family can contribute?
How important is it to you that your child’s school meets or exceeds the performance of comparable
schools?
How much would an alternative school cost if you had to select a different one for your child?
Please help us reach our $112,000 goal by becoming a SPARK Supporter today!
How did SPARK do last year?
Based on the PTO consistently funding some of the extra support of the writing coach and other higher education
experts over the past three years, SPARK has achieved the highest average writing scores in the district for three
consecutive years!
Additionally, teachers are more confident from training geared toward the new Common Core Standards
Development. From that training, students received individualized curriculum in math and reading based on their
STAR assessment scores, the computer-based evaluations that teachers conduct quarterly. Much of the
enrichment software provided by SPARK Supporters is available for students to use at home to continue their
academic growth.
Our strategic investments pay off! Our testing performance improved significantly in most areas.
What about our future needs?
In 2014-2015, our goal is not only to offer a strong academic program, but to improve on our past performance.
We need YOU to make this happen!
Our tax revenues WILL NOT support the school’s needs in 2014-2015. We know the APS budget is inadequate in
supporting the high level education that we demand for our children. Enrollment is up, and the APS budget is
down. The SPARK Annual Fund is focused on specific investments that the Atlanta Public Schools budget will not
support but that are needed to improve our children’s overall performance.
Despite improvement in test scores and curriculum enhancements, there is more to do. Principal Yolanda Brown
and the PTO have identified the following instructional tools that would make a significant difference:
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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Curriculum and Programs
STAR Science and Reading/ELA Assessment Licenses
Saxon Phonics
 Enrichment Programs
Shurley English
 IXL
Wright Score Common Core Writing
 Reflex Math First in Math
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Study Island
 Writing Coach for 4 and 5 graders
Brain Pop
 Orton Gillingham Training
These curriculum needs cost approximately $70 per student.
How will our expansion impact our necessities?
2014-2015 will be an exciting year with our new building welcoming us on our first day. The new building offers a
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Technology Lab, Specials classrooms, and 4 and 5 grade classrooms. This year, we will need computers for the
Mac Lab and classroom Promethium Boards. APS does not fund the replacement of functionally obsolete
equipment (Macs are no longer approved technology). Our new software is not supported by the antiquated
hardware. Consequently, we will need to raise money for the following hardware:
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One iPad cart
30 Mac Books
Replacement Projections (Promethium Boards)
This computer lab will cost approximately $65,000, translating to $95 per student.
Thank You in advance for your support!
Sincerely,
Lisa Marie Smith
Fundraising Director
2014-2015
Laura Rebillot
SPARK Supporters Chair
2014-2015