The opportunity came from the outstanding relationship the school has with the Sumpter Township Police and Fire Departments. Dean of Middle School Robyn Mallari said she was approached because of Keystone’s large property that allowed for a helicopter to take off and land. Add in classroom space for additional instruction, and it was a perfect match.
Half of Keystone’s students watched the helicopter land, and the other half were able to see it take off, creating exciting memories. When pilots came out of the helicopter, students welcomed them with a round of applause. Students then learned about when this procedure is used and the roles Sumpter’s fire and police departments play in the process.
Mallari said the message to students was brief, but helped students grasp how important these flights are.
“They talked about what their role is during these events and what the helicopters are used for,” Mallari said. “They let us know if we see this helicopter in the air, then there’s an extreme emergency and they’re trying to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. They shared that in the air, they’re not only flying the helicopter, but they’re also providing medical support.”
Middle schoolers had the chance to speak with a pilot through a connection with one of their teachers. Mallari said it was exceptional inspiration for scholars as they decide future careers.
In addition to having students learn from the experience, it created buzz among the school and community. Staff members were also in awe to witness it firsthand.
“A lot of the staff were recording and saying ‘What an amazing experience, it’s not often you’re able to see this,’” Mallari said. “It was really nice to see something fun and exciting.”
This event is just one example of the strong partnerships Keystone has with its local law enforcement and emergency personnel. Law enforcement monitors Keystone’s arrival and dismissal if they’re available and makes sure to engage students with high fives when they do walkthroughs of the school.
Mallari said officers also support family events, often engaging with students and families, participating alongside them. The Sumpter Fire Department also gave a demonstration to Keystone students during Safe Schools Week. With these close partnerships, Keystone is ensuring students have a welcoming and safe learning experience.
“Without our partnerships, this wouldn’t have been as easy to implement,” Mallari said. “We always want to support our community, so it was easy for us because we have amazing partnerships with our community.”
About Keystone Academy
Keystone Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Belleville, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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