Sandy Springs Together

Everyone Deserves a Voice

SST Blog Posts

Sandy Springs Charter Middle School sees double digit improvements on Georgia Milestones

Editor’s Note: Sandy Springs Together periodically publishes letters or comments from community members who raise a concern we feel should be considered by the broader community.

Please let us hear your thoughts.

 By Melody Kelley, PhD

Sandy Springs Charter Middle School, (SSCMS), located on the northern end of Sandy Springs, has a lot to be proud of this year. 

After accomplishing significant increases in Georgia Milestones Assessment scores, this school was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Fulton County School System for Outstanding Academic Achievement.  

  • 8th grade Science
  • 8th grade Social Studies
  • 7th grade Math and Physical Science
  • 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts
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Sandy Springs: LEARN from D.C. on the importance of smart revitalization

Are YOU coming?  We hope so…

On November 7th at 6:00 p.m., Sandy Springs Together is hosting a Community Meeting to discuss the lessons learned from the Atlanta BeltLine, and we really hope to see you there.

One thing is clear: We, as a city, can do a better job of anticipating the OBVIOUS consequences posed by the proposed amenities that our city is implementing, such as the Master Trail System, the community center, access to the river, among others.

For example, let’s take a look at the Bridge Park in Washington D.C.

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Sandy Springs must be innovative, but smart when tackling the affordable housing crisis

For many years now, the city of Sandy Springs has made it a point to say that revitalization in our city is not about gentrification, or even displacement. 

And yet — that is exactly what is happening. Recently, the city council approved the Trail Master Plan, which is comparable to the Atlanta BeltLine. And to be clear, we are in favor of the trails and know that they will enhance our community.

However, we know that the BeltLine made clear mistakes, as was acknowledged by the Mayor in the kickoff meeting for the city’s North End Revitalization Task Force.

At Sandy Springs Together, we feel it’s necessary to educate our community  about the mistakes that have been made — and that Sandy Springs is about to make, as well.

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What can Sandy Springs learn from Atlanta’s BeltLine?

We have an exciting invitation to share with you. 

On Thursday evening, November 7, we will host the most important public meeting so far in the life of our organization.

From 7 to 9 pm, we will talk seriously about skyrocketing housing costs, traffic congestion and how future development impacts affordable housing.

Our special guests will be Dwayne Vaughn, Beltline Inc. and David Jackson, Beltline Partnership. 

The discussion will be moderated by Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum and a member of the Board of Directors of The Author M. Blank Foundation.

  • What can Sandy Springs learn from Atlanta’s Beltline?
  • Thursday, November 7
  • 7-9 PM
  • Sandy Springs United Methodist Church
  • 86 Mount Vernon Hwy.
  • Atlanta, GA 30328
  • SandySpringsTogether.org/RSVP

Sandy Springs is investing in redevelopment by building green space and walking trails and other much needed projects.  

How do we add all of these improvements while REDUCING TRAFFIC and making sure our families, including young families and seniors, will still be able to afford to live here?

We MUST ACT NOW and learn from others who have faced these challenges.

Please join us for this important conversation: SandySpringsTogether.org/RSVP

IMPORTANT: Save yourself a seat by registering in advance, and receive a chance to win one of several $50 gift certificates! Must be present to win. SandySpringsTogether.org/RSVP

Enterprise Community Partners Southeast announces support of Sandy Springs Together

Sandy Springs Together is excited to announce that on July 25, 2019, we received an official letter of support from Enterprise Community Partners Southeast.

Read the Letter: ECPS Support Letter of Sandy Springs TogetherDownload

On their website, ECPS lays out their goal to “bring together nationwide know-how, partners, policy leadership and investment to multiply the impact of local affordable housing development.”

For more than 35 years, ECPS has been working toward a vision where “one day, every person will have an affordable home in a vibrant community, filled with promise and the opportunity for a good life.”

In their letter of support, ECPS lays out the challenges presented by the ongoing affordable housing crisis. “These housing cost increases create burdens on working families, making their ability to afford other basic needs such as food, medical, and education more and more challenging.”

They go on to say that affordable housing “is a regional problem and it must be addressed with a regional solution. Sandy Springs Together may be a model others want to explore.”

We are excited to have our friends at ECPS standing with us as we work toward the future. The best is yet to come for our community.