Markus Castro
Manila, the Philippines – In celebration of National Teachers’ Month and in time for the schools opening for SY 2020-2021, McDonald’s transformed 221 of its stores’ party areas into a work-friendly McClassroom from October 9-23, 2020, for teachers to use for free – a fitting and innovative way to help teachers as they shift to distance learning.
Supporting teachers with a work-friendly McClassroom
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As teachers adjust to distance learning, McDonald’s recognizes that not all teachers have easy access to spaces conducive to conducting online classes. In response to this need, McDonald’s has converted its party spaces into classrooms to provide teachers with clean, safe, and work-friendly learning spaces for FREE, so they can focus on delivering lessons to their students with ease. McDonald’s goal is to show support to teachers, as the brand thanks and salutes them for their contribution to nation-building through educating one student at a time.
Besides having a work-friendly environment with the McDonald’s store’s enclosed party area, registered teachers can also enjoy a complimentary McCafe Premium Roast Coffee to perk them up for the school day. Virtual backgrounds would also be provided to them to use for their online classes or meetings, and Wi-Fi access for free.
To ensure that the teachers are M Safe, a McClassroom may be reserved by a maximum of two (2) teachers per time slot for social distancing and sound level management. There will be 2 batches: a morning batch from 8:00 AM-12:00NN and the afternoon batch from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM schedule to allow for a disinfection period from 12:00NN-1:00PM. Registrants were required to wear a face mask and face shield to ensure sanitary protocols are set in place.
Smart powers e-learning at McClassrooms
The successful first leg of the project from October 5-9, 2020, was met warmly with close to 300 registered teachers enjoying McClassroom, inspiring McDonald’s to extend the project. For the second leg, McDonald’s has officially partnered with Smart Communications, Inc, which turned over 200 Smart Bro Pocket Wi-Fi units, ensuring more educators of continued reliable access to the internet through McClassroom. The next batch of pre-registration will be open from October 12-16, for the second leg’s time slots that will run from October 19-23.
McClassroom is McDonald’s way of thanking teachers for their invaluable contribution to young Filipinos’ lives, especially during this pandemic, and Smart is more than happy to work alongside McDonald’s to provide more teachers with the conducive learning spaces that they very well deserve.
“Telecommunications technology is the crucial backbone that supports public services, businesses, and people. Smart has been put in a unique position to address the evolving needs of our customers as a result of the current situation,” said Jane J. Basas, Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Wireless Business. “We are doing our best to connect as many as we could, so we have continued to provide free phones, load, and pocket Wi-Fis to students and teachers who are most in need. This initiative with McDonald’s is just the latest in these efforts to equip our teachers with the connectivity they need to be able to transition into the new normal.”
According to McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Mr. Kenneth Yang, “We would like to thank SMART Communications, Inc. for their support to our McClassroom initiative because it is through their generosity that we will be able to serve better and equip our teachers as they transition to distance learning. In the true spirit of Bayanihan, we are grateful for the opportunity to create partnerships that allow us to expand our shared efforts in giving back to our teachers.”
McDonald’s continues to say “thank you” to teachers in more ways than one.
Beyond McClassroom, McDonald’s Philippines has always supported education through its various initiatives through the years and the programs of Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines. The Ronald McDonald Read-to-Learn program has over 10,000 partner schools nationwide – training more than 28,000 educators and improving the literacy of grades 1 and 2 public school students. The brand also supports Brigada Eskwela. This year, McDonald’s
Brigada Eskwela T-shirts were sold to raise funds. All proceeds were used to procure care kits and disinfection materials for the select 40 school beneficiaries and 1,200 teachers nationwide.
By closely collaborating with stakeholders, McDonald’s can co-create and strengthen innovative solutions to foster a safer and conducive learning space for both teachers and students alike. Through McClassroom, McDonald’s moves to make a difference in Filipinos’ lives by supporting the teachers that build the nation, one student at a time.
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