Spring 2025 Academic Support Program Recap: Celebrating a Year of Growth and Achievement
As the 2024–2025 school year drew to a close, Fuse Project proudly wrapped up another impactful semester of our Academic Support Program with a strong focus on two essential pillars: recognizing the educators who make our work possible and celebrating the students who continue to show growth and achievement.
Honoring Our Partners in Education
We kicked off May with heartfelt gratitude during Principal’s Day on May 1. Our team delivered handwritten cards and restaurant gift cards to the incredible principals at all three of our Avenue partner schools – Florence Howard Elementary School (FHES), Calloway-Smith Middle School, and Pathway K5. Their leadership and unwavering support form the foundation of our partnership, and we know that none of this work would be possible without them. (Pictured below: Mrs. Flowers of FHES and Mrs. Payton of CSMS; not pictured but very much appreciated: Mrs. Glover of Pathway.)
For Teacher Appreciation Week, we delivered special surprises to show our sincere thanks. At FHES and Calloway-Smith, we treated faculty to a “Thanks a Brunch” Chick-fil-A breakfast. Thanks to the generosity of Chick-fil-A on Dauphin Street, all the biscuits for this special celebration were donated! At Pathway K5, teachers were treated to lunch courtesy of Moe’s Original BBQ in downtown Mobile, complete with a nacho bar and dry rub wings, served by volunteers Caroline Choe (Fuse Project junior board member), Haley Courtney (Order of Fuse member), and friend of Fuse Mariah Dewitt.
We also made a special stop at FHES to honor teachers who helped students achieve outstanding iReady test growth in reading and math. Mr. Standifer, Mr. Ransom, Ms. E. Smith, Mr. Portella, Ms. T. Williams, and Ms. Lamar each received a $50 Walmart gift card and a personalized thank-you note for their role in increasing the number of students performing on grade level.
One of the most joyful surprises came in the form of a unique giveaway: BOO Braces! As a grand finale to Teacher Appreciation Week, FHES principal Mrs. Flowers hosted a “Wheel of Fortune”-style giveaway where every teacher spun to win a gift card, and one lucky name was drawn to receive a full set of braces, thanks to our BOO! Project sponsor, Harvey and Thomas Orthodontics. Congratulations to Mrs. Edwards, who will begin her smile transformation this July!
To cap off the semester, Fuse Project hosted FHES’s End-of-Year and Retirement Celebration at our own Fuse Factory. It was a morning filled with warmth, laughter, and reflection as we honored two retiring educators: Ms. K. McDole, with 29 years of service, and Ms. P. Collins, who served 25 years. Mrs. Wilson and Coach Q gave touching tributes to their years of dedication, and we were thrilled to have former principal, Mrs. Manzy, join in the celebration, returning to the very place where we honored her own retirement just a couple of years ago. Breakfast was generously provided by The Breakfast Spot, owned by student parent Danielle Holland. Breakfast included build-your-own bowls, chicken wings, and pancakes which were a crowd favorite!
Celebrating Student Success
Student incentives are a core part of our Academic Support Program, not just because they’re fun, but because they motivate measurable growth. When students know their hard work is seen and celebrated, they are more likely to stay engaged, set goals, and believe in themselves.
At Calloway-Smith, we saw exciting academic strides during the third quarter. A total of 31 students earned spots on the A or A/B Honor Roll, and the average GPA for the honorees rose to an impressive 91.28! Another 25 students were recognized for perfect attendance with a well-earned Foosackly’s lunch. At the end of the year, all students enjoyed a fun-filled celebration with a giant inflatable slide, snow cones, and chili cheese nachos, thanks to the support of volunteers Margaret Carey, Abbey Huguley, Erin Delaporte, and Anna Cowart.
Pathway K5 students showed significant growth too. From Q2 to Q3, the number of students reaching their iReady goals jumped from 35 to 47! Those achievements were rewarded with a nacho party served by volunteers Amy Courtney, Lee Friedman, and Katie Jackson. To end the year on a high note, we treated the entire school to a celebratory pizza party to recognize their hard work and excellent behavior all year long.
Meanwhile, over at Florence Howard Elementary, we turned our School Store into a celebration of academic excellence. The top students in each grade based on either proficiency or growth in reading and math got to shop for fun gadgets, candy, and big-ticket prizes like Nerf guns, slime kits, sports balls, and more. In total, 24 top-tier students and another 180 runners-up received prizes. It was a powerful way to show students that their progress matters and that their efforts are worth rewarding.
Why It Matters
Whether we’re rewarding a student for mastering a new skill or honoring a teacher for going the extra mile, our message remains the same: your work matters. Incentives and appreciation are not just feel-good extras; they’re essential tools in creating a culture of achievement, belonging, and mutual respect.
At Fuse Project, we believe that when teachers feel valued and students feel celebrated, schools become vibrant communities of growth. We’re proud to support that transformation across the Avenue and look forward to continuing this work in the new school year. Thank you to Harvey and Thomas Orthodontics and to all our restaurant partners - Chick-fil-A (Dauphin St.), Moe’s Original BBQ (Downtown), Foosackly’s (Dauphin Street), Taco Mama Midtown, and The Breakfast Spot - for generously making these celebrations possible. If you’d like to help us in providing meaningful incentives, you can do so by donating to Fuse Project at fuseproject.org/donate.
