CLEVELAND — “Show up and shine!”
That’s exactly what the students at Harvey Rice Wraparound School in Cleveland did during the month of March.
Principal Lawanda Jackson says it was needed to tackle a student problem.
“We want to make them productive citizens, and we can’t do that if they’re not here,” Jackson tells 3News. “So we were having attendance problems and tardiness.”
The school’s staff partnered with 3News, McDonald’s, Ricky Smith of Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere and S.H.I.N.E. -- which was founded by our own Danita Harris -- to create the “Show up and Shine at 7” attendance rally.
It was designed to encourage students to come to school and show up on time so they’re not tardy for the party. There were games, prizes and a DJ provided the tunes to get the student grooving to the beat.
It was lots of fun -- and it worked! The real proof is in the numbers.
“We went from 30 of our students coming in on time to 60 for the month of March,” Jackson says. “From 30 to 60.”
That’s quite a jump, and a great testament to what can happen when members of the community partner with schools to help students succeed.
“It all starts with a village. It takes everybody to get involved. It makes that known to students that, you know, everybody cares about you.”
3News' Ryan Haidet contributed to this report.