On December 7, Maple Heights City Schools received a $20,000 donation as part of their involvement in the Stay in the Game! Keep Learning, Every Day Network. The presentation was held at John F. Kennedy Elementary School.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation, a partner of the Stay in Game! Network, attended the event, as the first stop on their 10 Days of Giving.” Maple Heights City Schools are partners in the statewide Stay in the Game! Network, which is focused on improving attendance and engagement which will lead to the success of our students. The donation will go towards attendance initiatives throughout the District encouraging students to stay in the game by attending school everyday. The district has used this partnership to encourage strong attendance and to encourage teachers, students, and families to keep learning every day through a variety of interventions, and activities.
“We are here today to present a grant for $100,000 to the Stay in the Game! Network,” said Donna Manwaring, Cleveland director of operations, Arby’s. “This grant will support Maple Heights City Schools, and other school districts, in their efforts to implement attendance interventions that will provide support for students to help them get to school and stay in school so they can have a bright future.”
“On behalf of the Cleveland Browns Foundation and the Stay in the Game! Network, thank you Arby’s Foundation for your generous donation to support Ohio students and their education journey,” said Renee Harvey, vice president, Cleveland Browns Foundation. “Arby’s has been a true partner in the attendance space since we launched the Stay in the Game Network in 2019 and has worked alongside us to reduce barriers and increase attendance in the state of Ohio.”
Dr. Charlie Keenan, superintendent of Maple Heights City Schools, thanked these organizations for their amazing support of its students and district. “Student attendance is so important here at Maple Heights City School District because we know how closely it is linked to student success,” said Dr. Keenan. “If kids don’t show up, then they cannot learn. It’s that simple. But there are also real barriers that sometimes can get in the way of students being able to fully engage in their education. This grant from the Arby’s Foundation and the Stay in the Game! Network will help us reduce those attendance barriers and make a real difference for our students here at Maple Heights.”
Students at John F. Kennedy Elementary School were treated to lunch by Arby’s and had the opportunity to meet Cleveland Browns’ safety, John Johnson, III and Cleveland Browns mascot Chomps. Johnson and Chomps stayed to help students make snowflakes and holiday cards and take pictures and sign autographs. These students were chosen because they showcase their amazing leadership and citizenship skills by getting to school every day and making education a priority. “That is what the Stay in the Game! Network is all about – when our students have challenges, they show dedication and determination to Stay in the Game and keep learning every day,” said Dr. Keenan.