North Atlanta boasts students who have earned many accolades. From award-winning science fair projects to high-scoring clubs and sports teams. However, each of these accomplishments has come at a cost to students, especially regarding the fees associated with each activity. NAHS is a school with students from every economic background, but for disadvantaged families, the endless fees may be blocking their children’s participation.
One of the most obvious examples of this is the school’s annual science fair. With the high-level projects students produce, it only becomes more obvious when a student has a project that lags behind the standard. However, this may not be due to a lack of knowledge but instead to a lack of access to necessary supplies. Depending on the experiment, costs can quickly rise far past that of a three-fold poster board. The highest honor for any science fair participant is inclusion in the International Science Fair, which annually draws students from around the country. Junior Ella Sipe was able to participate in this competition last February. Sipe realizes that one reason she was able to go to the event is that her family had the resources for all the supplies she needed, including access to a lab and the funds to print her whole project professionally. Sipe has noticed, on occasion, that when her peers receive less recognition, it is not due to a lack of effort but because they may not have access to the supplies needed to complete and display their projects. “If I did not have my grandparents help me fund my project, it for sure would not have been as fleshed out,” Sipe said.
These problems do not go unnoticed by teachers at North Atlanta. In classes like IB Literature, where hard-copy books are required, teachers will work with students to provide the supplies needed. This can be seen with English teacher Carla Mills, who emphasizes the importance of having access to a physical book in her class so that students can annotate and understand the content better. For Mills, ensuring that all of her students have access to the required reading is essential, whether it comes from giving out old books or requesting mini-grants for new ones. “I want to help my students wherever possible, so I am happy to work with them to get what they need,” Mills said.
For NAHS, having the Foundation – now part of the WarrFam Organization – available is extremely useful in providing for students. For teachers who may notice that extra supplies are needed, it is extremely easy to turn to the WFO program for grants or gift cards that help fund all of their students’ endeavors. Additionally, students can apply for their own grants. This can help leaders of clubs keep their dues down and ensure that everyone has a place in activities. “We try and fill any holes in student needs we see and are open to funding the ones we may not see,” said Frances Egan, WarrFam Organization grants committee co-chair.
While there may be a while before everyone at NAHS has equal access to supplies and funding, many are thinking of long-term solutions to make everyone feel a part of the community. From WarrFam’s mini-grant programs to printer access to free computers, there has certainly been a thought process put into bridging any gaps between students. As the school continues to grow, programs like these and newly developed ones will ensure the success of the school and all of the students in it.
