Exciting Changes in Ridgeland: Meeting Street Jasper & Beaufort Transforms into Heartwood Community School!
Hey there, Ridgeland! We have some delightful news that’s bound to create buzz in the community. The beloved Meeting Street Jasper & Beaufort, a school that opened its doors just last year for our little kindergarten and first-grade scholars, is getting a fabulous makeover. Come August 2024, it’ll be officially rebranded as the Heartwood Community School! Isn’t that catchy?
Heartwood: More than Just a Name
Now, you might wonder what inspired this new moniker. Well, according to Kelley Marsh, the school’s spokesperson, the name “Heartwood” symbolizes the strong and resilient core of a tree, representing the school’s mission to nurture our students. “This mirrors the school’s mission of fostering stability, strength, and nurturing a vibrant community where students can flourish both academically and personally,” Kelley exclaimed with excitement.
That’s right, folks! While the name is changing, the school’s dedication to its students and families remains steadfast. Heartwood Community School continues to provide a tuition-free public charter education aimed at both academic excellence and emotional well-being. No wonder so many families are excited!
A Visionary Name with a Purpose
The name “Heartwood” was proposed by Any Dungan, a member of the school’s Board of Directors. Drawing from her experience as a Master Naturalist, she realized that the heartwood is not just the central part of a tree, but also acts as its foundation. It reflects what the school stands for: a safe haven for learning where every child can grow and thrive!
“At Heartwood, we are reminded of the strength and resilience at the core of every child, much like the heartwood at the center of a tree,” said Principal Jennifer Brown. With small class sizes and personalized attention with two teachers per classroom, students are not just numbers—they’re individuals making their learning journeys special!
Building a Brighter Tomorrow
But that’s not all—Heartwood Community School is on a mission to expand. A brand-new, state-of-the-art facility is under construction and will be ready by Fall 2025. Picture this: classrooms designed for both elementary and middle school kids, creative spaces for arts and music, a commercial-size kitchen, a gymnasium, and even outdoor areas with an interactive nature trail and playgrounds!
How cool is that? And it doesn’t stop there! The school will be adding one grade level each year, starting with grades kindergarten through third grade for the upcoming school year. This is truly a phenomenal opportunity for our community!
Promoting Health and Wellness
Health and wellness are high on the agenda too! Sydney Lubkin, the school nurse, envisions integrating health into the daily curriculum, including expanding the school garden. “This promotes a healthy lifestyle for our scholars,” she shared enthusiastically.
Furthermore, the school’s Physical Education teacher, Jeremy Hardy, believes that Heartwood will offer life-changing experiences for our young learners. “Heartwood Community School will be a great asset to our community,” he stated, clearly excited about the new opportunities on the horizon.
Join the Heartwood Family!
Heartwood Community School is paving the way for a new generation of leaders and dreamers in the Jasper and Beaufort communities. If you’re interested in enrollment or want to learn more about this innovative school, head over to their website at heartwoodcommunityschool.org!
With all these remarkable changes and plans, Heartwood Community School is truly set to nurture our children into the creators and leaders of tomorrow, making bright futures a reality. What an exhilarating time to be a part of the Ridgeland community!
