Pathways Students Receive a Special Field Trip For Good Attendance

Several Pathways to Potential students in Niles recently received a fun reward for perfect attendance. They were taken on a field trip to the Discovery Center and carousel in St. Joseph, thanks to the generosity of First Church of God in St. Joseph.

The students and their families were transported by buses, donated by First Student bussing, from Niles to St. Joseph, where church members greeted them. They were given unlimited passes for access to the Discovery Center and carousel and provided a pizza meal and a picture with Santa; each child left with a gift.

These children were randomly selected from a group of 58 students who had perfect attendance at Ballard Elementary School in Niles last fall. Organized by success coaches Sherry Forler and Tracy Maefield, the event was a Pathways to Potential incentive for students to attend school. It was a huge success, as it created memories for the students and their families and rewarded the students for their dedication to school.

“This event would not have been possible without the generosity of the members of the First Church of God and the dedication of our P2P Ballard Team, who encourage and reward the students for their attendance,” said Krista Hainey, Berrien County MDHHS Pathways to Potential mentor.

Pathways staff members are appreciative of the community’s support through the church of the attendance incentive program.