Rooted in Service: NHA’s Earth Day Cleanup

At National Heritage Academies^® (NHA^®), the "why" behind the work often leads back to our vibrant school communities and buildings. While our teams at the Service Center support our schools behind the scenes, they are always looking for ways to get closer to the heart of our mission. This year, operations staff, consisting of the Construction, Facilities, Real Estate, Safety, and Food Service departments, traded their keyboards for gardening gloves to celebrate Earth Day with a hands-on restoration project.

The Seed of an Idea

The inspiration for this initiative took root last December. After seeing the positive impact of the People Services team’s volunteer work, organizers began brainstorming how their departments could show up for students and staff.

The challenge was finding a way to contribute as a group without disrupting the rhythm of the school day. When Angela Wilbur, construction project coordinator and buyer, suggested an Earth Day cleanup, it felt like the perfect fit.

"Our teams love being in the schools," said Emilie Smith, manager of community outreach and wellness. "The Earth Day cleanup was a great solution. It gave us a chance to contribute in a helpful, hands-on way without disrupting the classroom space."

Making an Immediate Impact

This marked the inaugural year for the project, with efforts focused on River City Scholars and Vista Charter Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At River City, a school known for its deep community ties, the team recognized that the campus appearance reflects the pride of the neighborhood. 

"River City is a very community-based school," Wilbur noted. "They loved the idea of not just cleaning up the building, but also cleaning up the community spaces around the school." 

Because many families walk their children to school, the team focused on planting vibrant, low-maintenance flowers along the sidewalks to create a beautiful daily commute for the community.

At Vista, the mission shifted from simple planting to total restoration. While the team originally considered repainting a shed, a consultation with Principal Dawn Donati revealed a more urgent need: a dozen flower beds that had sat untouched for years. The volunteer crew spent their three-hour window clearing out years of overgrowth, rebuilding the structural borders of the beds, and planting hardy flowers designed to survive the Michigan summer with minimal upkeep. This effort was more than just a quick fix; Donati shared that a student leadership group will now take over the care of these beds, turning the team’s hard work into a lasting lesson in stewardship.

More Than Just Weeding

While the physical transformation of the grounds was the primary goal, the organizers hoped the project sent a powerful message to the students. Because recesses occurred right in the middle of the work windows, students got a front-row seat to the transformation. 

"We hope students see people taking pride in their school and feel inspired to do the same," Smith reflected. "If it encourages them to help keep their playgrounds and outdoor spaces clean, that would be awesome."

Beyond the environmental benefits, the day served as a vital connection point for Service Center staff. The goal was to allow the team to enjoy supporting local schools in a tangible way that their daily office roles don't always provide. It proved to be a successful way for colleagues to connect, collaborate, and build relationships outside of the typical workday.

A Growing Success

As the team drove away from Vista on Friday afternoon, the success of the day was measured in more than just bags of weeds. They left knowing they made a meaningful impact.

"It was a big project and more than we could finish in the time we were there," Smith admitted, "but we made a lot of progress and helped create something the school can now maintain more easily."

Ultimately, the warmth from the school staff confirmed that the mission was accomplished. 

"It was really nice to see how happy the staff was that we were there," the team shared. "Knowing we made an impact and that our help was appreciated made it feel like a success."



What a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day, operations staff! Thank you for all your hard work.

About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.