Lily Bagwell / October 11, 2024
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg became a hub of support after Hurricane Helene because of the school’s cafeteria team.
Cafeteria Manager Amber Fortenberry had the idea to open the cafeteria to serve lunches even though the school was closed. Because of her and her team’s efforts, Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg provided more than 1,000 meals to both parents and students who had lost homes, property and power during the storm.
“If I was going to eat, the families needed to eat, too,” Amber said.
Amber was inspired to action after she and the cafeteria’s two other employees, Mitzi Jeter and Jasmine Haywood, returned to the school to throw out food that was ruined from the storm.
She knew many families were struggling, so she made a suggestion to the school’s leadership. She, Mitzi and Jasmine could cook meals for students and their families using whatever they could find in the freezer.
Once approved, the women got to work. They were able to cook over 200 meals a day, serving everything from pizza and hamburgers to cheese quesadillas.
But serving meals wasn’t enough for Amber. She and a group of former and current teachers traveled to a nearby neighborhood to check on students and bring them food. They ate at picnic tables and watched as they played football.
“The kids showed gratitude,” she said. “You could tell they were happy we were there and made sure to say, ‘thank you.’”
Amber did all of this despite the hardships she was facing from the storm. Her family, including three children ages 9 – 15, were without power for nine days.
“It was hard to leave my family,” but Amber said she was happy to help.
Throughout her career Amber has worked at many schools, but said this one is different.
“We’re a family and we work like a well-oiled machine,” she said. “This is the most family-oriented school I’ve ever worked for.”
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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.
“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.”
“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.”
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