Gladstone Elementary School Students
&
McDonald's Corporation Employees
team up and talk law.



What would you do if a friend promised to split her McDonald's Monopoly game winnings - and then changed her mind? This and other questions of law and facts were discussed on October 3rd when a team of ten from McDonald's legal department joined forces with 150 students at Gladstone School.

"Visiting Gladstone School was a very rewarding experience. Those of us who participated were honored to talk to students, teachers and faculty about McDonalds and its Legal Department." says Pauline Levy, Senior Counsel, who organized the team from McDonalds. "We're extremely proud to have volunteered at a school with such a rich and proud history and long standing commitment to education and enriching the lives of young people. At McDonald's we are fortunate to touch so many people's lives everyday. We feel a responsibility to do whatever we can to make the world a better place."

Gary Moreillo,Gladstone principal, adds, "The employees from McDonald's corporate legal department related very well to our students. Both groups learned from one another, which is the most appropriate outcome for this type of initiative."
Gladstone school, opened in 1884, has a long-standing tradition of serving the children of the near west side of Chicago. During the 1990's Gladstone School began accepting children from other areas of the city-to escape from over-crowding in schools in other neighborhoods; to participate in their Options for Knowledge Multicultural Program; and/or to receive various special education services. In 2000, Gladstone became a Fine Arts Cluster Magnet School, with an emphasis on drama. Gladstone participates in the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago's VOICE (4th & 5th grades) and Primary VOICE (2nd & 3rd grades) programs.

CRFC has been matching attorney volunteers with classrooms for almost 20 years. Attorneys from large firms, in private practice, and the public sector work with students in 4-8th grades in Chicago Public Schools and the Western suburbs. Attorneys form teams to work with one teacher. The team is coordinated by the attorney team leader, with support from CRFC, who acts as liaison between the teacher and team members to schedule visits and plan activities. During the visits attorneys participate in lessons that link the study of the Constitution, the branches of government, conflict resolution, and service learning to issues that relate to students' lives and improve their critical thinking skills. Teachers and attorneys decide together how best to utilize the attorneys' expertise based on the lessons being taught and time constraints.

To lean more about volunteering with CRFC or about CRFC elementary programs contact Jennifer E.R. Faus, faus@crfc.org or Jon Tuin, tuin@crfc.org , or call 312-663-9057.