#GIVINGSTORY: The Green Heart Project to Bring Community Garden to MSE@Burns

Story by cnmAdmin2030 / November 7, 2019

The Green Heart Project (GHP) is dedicated to helping schools bring their garden programs to life through support and educational resources. The GHP has ongoing, successful relationships and gardens at both Meeting Street Academy-Charleston and Meeting Street Elementary @Brentwood and have been vital in helping to foster student engagement as well as community relationships. So when Meeting Street Elementary @Burns decided a garden would be apart of their new campus plans, it was an easy decision to partner with The GHP.

The garden creation process has been a collaborative effort between many, including MSE@Burns students who are very involved in making the garden come to life. Last spring, students learned all about gardens through our core curriculum, Wit and Wisdom, as well as through additional read-aloud books. At the end of the year, Green Heart came to campus and students were able to design their dream school garden along with their landscape architect, who incorporated the students’ designs into the garden blueprints.

Those blueprints are set to be complete in Spring 2020. MSE@Burns and The Green Heart Project are hopeful the garden will mean many things for the Dorchester-Waylyn neighborhood and act as small seed in eliminating the problem of limited fresh food access for the community. We believe it will not only help educate students about food systems and the benefits of organically-grown fruits and vegetables, but allow many diverse communities to have a unique, common space to facilitate relationships. This project will provide many opportunities for partner and sponsor organizations, further connecting our students to mentors in the Dorchester-Waylyn neighborhood and the North Charleston community as a whole.

Upon completion, GHP will lead the maintenance and upkeep of the garden with Farm and Project Manager Nathan Burnell alongside our Garden Coordinators, myself and Tara Warrington. Burnell will also support the school-based Garden Committee, serving as a resource to boost school involvement in the garden. Students, particularly MSE@Burns third graders, will resume their involvement when the project becomes apart of the Extended Day Program in Spring 2020. Lessons will feature culturally relevant crops and culinary dishes thanks to GHP’s staff participation in Racial Equity Training.

Thank you to our entire community and especially The Green Heart Project. We are inspired by your staff’s dedication and are grateful to you for making this dream come to life for our students and families.

If you’re interested in becoming involved, stay tuned for the announcement of Garden Build Day that MSE@Burns will be hosting where students, families, staff, and community members can all participate in the garden’s construction.

 

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About Meeting Street Schools

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), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, 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.

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Our Schools

MSA – CharlestonDowntown Charleston, SC - Independent School - Since 2008 - 364 Students

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.

MSA – SpartanburgDowntown Spartanburg, SC - Public School - Since 2012 - 323 Students

MSA Spartanburg stands 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. MSA Spartanburg 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.

MS – BrentwoodNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2014 - 694 Students

MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS 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 MSS network.

MS – BurnsNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2018 - 478 Students

Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS 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 MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns 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, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.

MS – Jasper & BeaufortJasper County, SC - Public Charter School - Fall 2023 -

MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.

CommunityVoices

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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.”

— NikToshia GilesTeacher

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“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”

— Tyeka GrantParent

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“Meeting Street Academy is my family. They taught me that I am valuable. I am an asset to the world…They asked me, ‘What is your dream?’ I had never been asked that before. The MSS community gives me the strength to pursue my dreams.”

— Kadelyn SteedStudent