“When a teammate needs help, we give”

In the first week after the deadly tornado that hit Nashville, teachers, parents and students at the city’s public charter schools rolled up their sleeves and got to work, helping families and teammates in their communities who were most affected. 

In some cases, charter school teachers and leaders organized recovery and relief efforts, even in the wake of damage to their own homes. Schools kept their buildings open for homework help and for parents who needed childcare, they delivered food to those without power, and they even covered the cost of short-term rentals for families and staff members whose homes were destroyed. 

In the KIPP Nashville community, where dozens of families were displaced or without enough food, teachers delivered meals and distributed grocery store cards, and organized volunteer groups in North and East Nashville. The network, which has a saying, “When a teammate needs help, we give,” had a staff potluck on Wednesday night for team members who didn’t have power – in addition to providing a meal, staff packed food boxes for their colleagues in need. Similarly, they invited KIPP families over the weekend to stop by one of the schools to pick up free supplies, clothes, and food. School staff and families have continued dropping off donations even into this week, and schools are distributing additional food, clothing and supplies to those who need it most.

Valor Collegiate Academies has covered the cost of temporary housing for a handful of teachers and families who were displaced or without power for an extended period of time. In partnership with Greater Heights Missionary Baptist Church, Gideon’s Army & Hands On Nashville, the school organized a volunteer day in North Nashville, where we helped put on a fish fry for 500+ members of the community and first responders. At the event, 50 Valor staff and family members were on hand to collect and organize supplies, assess needs from families, and distribute supplies, meals and snack bags for them to take home. 

At least 80 RePublic Schools families were in need of food or childcare since school was out last week, and 20 families had been displaced from their homes. RePublic leaders created an emergency fund to give money directly to families for relief.

The homes of two STEM Prep families were completely leveled by the tornados, and at least 20 more families had storm damage. After making contact with every single one of their families either in person or by phone to ensure their safety, they delivered food to more than 1,000 unique students and families. Like other schools, the STEM Prep team secured housing and accommodations for about 15 staff members and families who were displaced. And to cap off the first week, they held a community soccer game and open gym last Friday, and served a hot lunch, for approximately 150.

Purpose Prep staff spent the week traveling through different areas of North Nashville and East Nashville, serving food, preparing emergency supply essential boxes for victims, and cleaning debris in front of houses and organizations. On Friday, they visited Park Avenue Enhanced Option Elementary School to help prepare their site to welcome students and staff from Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary School after they were forced to relocate due to building damage from the storm. 

Rebuilding after the deadly tornadoes will take months, maybe years, but charter school leaders say the camaraderie in their buildings between teachers and families has given them a strong foundation for what’s to come. 

“Our families, students and teammates are resilient and strong, and it was incredible to see our community jump into action to lend help and support,” said Randy Dowell, executive director of KIPP Nashville. “We had teachers, with no power themselves, leaning in to volunteer in other parts of the city hardest hit. I’m proud of how everyone came together, and continues to come together, to ensure our city and schools can rebuild and come back stronger than ever.”