With smiling faces at every turn, the building was full of support for students and their academic experience. The opportunity was possible thanks to the McDonald’s on South Gratiot Ave in Clinton Township, Michigan. It’s a community partnership Principal Nickie Laney cherishes.
“We have an awesome partnership with our local McDonald’s,” Laney said. “In addition to this event, they have also gifted us backpacks and supplies, given us vouchers for free food for students and staff, and are always willing to lend a hand. We love working with them!”
With families and friends gathering to support their school, students and staff made it a welcoming and fun environment, wearing McDonald’s costumes and sharing why they love Prevail. This event also served as an opportunity to build connection among friends and peers. Prevail Principal Nickie Laney said it was a fun night for everyone.
“This was our second time doing this event, and our families and staff had an awesome time,” Laney said. “It was a great chance for us to enjoy fellowship and connect with them outside of school in the community and then add some fun into the school day.”
Prevail set up multiple tip buckets and tied each one to a fun incentive for students at school. As customers left tips throughout the night, not only were they supporting student success at Prevail, but they were also voting for fun activities. The two winning tip buckets were “Pie A Guy or Gal” and “Full School PJ and Stuffie Day.”
Thanks to the community’s generosity, students scored the chance to pie their teachers and school leaders in the face at a school assembly. Laughter echoed through the school gymnasium when students had the opportunity to send a pie pan full of whipped cream into a line of teachers wearing rain ponchos.
The school has yet to have their schoolwide pajama day, but connecting a fun incentive to this kind of fundraiser inspires students to be involved in their community. It’s an extension of the community Laney has helped build at Prevail.
“When Prevail plans an event, our community consistently shows up,” Laney said. “It’s a testament to the amazing families we have and the power we have if we stick together.”
Check out a school near you!
About Prevail Academy
Prevail Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Mount Clemens, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten 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.
Visit Prevail Academy's blog to read more stories like this.