April 29, 2020
The past few weeks have been pretty weird. I spend most of my days on a computer with my dog by my side. Wearing a mask in public is no longer just for superheroes and overusing hand sanitizer is no longer just a third grade thing. A lot of us were patiently waiting for our ‘normal’ to come back when we were told the unwelcomed truth, our normal isn’t coming back for the 2019-2020 school year.
I have had a lot of time to think and if this uncertain time has taught me anything, it has taught me to be grateful for our beautiful, normal, day-to-day, in-person, school routine. So, I want to thank you MSS student. I want to thank you for keeping my days exciting. A random dance move while walking in line is never out of the question and a hug just because is a regular thing. Your joy is what makes me love my job. I want to thank you for your grit. You, MSS student, are the hardest working kiddo I know. You push out TDA’s, rock out Sprints (Eureka Math tasks), dive into books all while making the time to help a friend, show some love, and spread laughter. I want to thank you for being you. When I think about all of my students, I think about how much I love your different personalities and how your uniqueness is what makes a classroom a ‘class’.
With that being said, I know what you are all capable of. I’ve seen it day in and day out. I know that you’re going to keep bringing the joy by joining in on virtual lessons with a smile or sharing your best TikTok dance move. I know you’re going to keep showing grit and working hard. I also know that you’re going to be doing all of this while staying true to who you are. Someone I respect once told me, “Instead of looking back to what was normal, let’s look forward to our new normal.” Our new normal is doing everything we did before, despite what is thrown at us.
Las últimas semanas han sido bastante extrañas. Paso la mayor parte de mis días en una computadora con mi perro a mi lado. Usar una máscara en público ya no es solo para superhéroes y el uso excesivo de desinfectante para manos ya no es solo una cosa de tercer grado. Muchos de nosotros estábamos esperando pacientemente que regresara lo ‘normal’ cuando nos dijeron la verdad desagradable, nuestra normalidad no regresará para el año escolar 2019-2020.
He tenido mucho tiempo para pensar y si este tiempo incierto me ha enseñado algo, me ha enseñado a estar agradecido por nuestra hermosa normalidad. Entonces, quiero agradecerte estudiante de MSS. Quiero agradecerles por mantener mis días emocionantes. Un movimiento de baile al azar mientras camina en línea nunca está fuera de discusión y un abrazo solo porque es algo normal. Tu alegría es lo que me hace amar mi trabajo. Quiero agradecerte por tu valor. Tú, estudiante de MSS, eres el estudiante más trabajador que conozco. Haces TDA’s, terminas Sprints, te sumerges en libros mientras haces el tiempo para ayudar a un amigo, mostrar un poco de amor y reír. Quiero agradecerte por ser tú. Cuando pienso en todos ustedes, pienso en cuánto amo a sus diferentes personalidades y cómo su singularidad es lo que hace que una clase sea una ‘clase’.
Sé de lo que son fuerte porque lo he visto día tras día. Sé que continuarás siendo alegre. Sé que seguirás mostrando valor y trabajando duro. También sé que harás todo esto mientras te mantengas fiel a quién eres. Alguien a quien respeto una vez me dijo: “En vez de mirar hacia atrás a lo que era normal, esperemos nuestra nueva normalidad”. Nuestra nueva normalidad es hacer todo lo que hicimos antes independientemente de las circunstancias.
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.
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“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
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