We’re thrilled that it’s almost time for Charter Day at the Capitol 2025!
📅 Tuesday, May 6, 2025
🎉 With over 1,800 attendees registered, this will be our largest celebration yet — a powerful demonstration of support and unity for Michigan’s charter schools!
Please take a few moments to read this email carefully and completely and share it with others attending with your group — it contains important information to help your group navigate downtown Lansing and enjoy a smooth event experience.
Star International Academy has registered 35 people in total. Please email me by COB tomorrow if this number is inaccurate so I can adjust the food count.
Cookie Logistics:
Do you have an estimated arrival time yet? I’d be happy to take your students to the cookie tables so they can get set up as soon as they arrive.
Lunch will be from 12:00–1:00 PM on the Capitol lawn, and that’s when cookies will be served. We’ll have tables set up near the lunch tent for cookie distribution. Cheese pizza will be available for your attendees, and we’ll make sure to set some aside for your group.
To help things run smoothly, we’re asking large school groups to send just one representative to pick up cookies for their group. We’ll provide paper bags that your students can fill with cookies and hand off to them.
Let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for your help in making this happen!
🕐 EVENT SCHEDULE
10:00 AM – Registration Opens
➡️ Pre-registered groups: Please send ONE representative to the tent with the “Large Group Registration” banner with your group’s t-shirt sizes ready. We’ve ordered plenty of T-shirts but can’t guarantee sizing (no youth sizes) — we encourage wearing your school swag or school colors in case we run out of your size. If you receive shirts, please wear them to show our charter pride!
10:00–11:00 AM – Student Performances
- 10:00 AM – Will Carleton Academy Choir
- 10:15 AM – Dove Academy Dance Team
- 10:30 AM – Basketball Team Tributes
- 10:45 AM – George Crockett Academy Drumline
- Plus, be sure to stop by the amazing showcase school tents and learn about innovative things happening in charter schools!
11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Capitol Steps Program & Group Photo
- Will Carleton Academy choir to sing the national anthem
- Guest speakers & honorees
- Encourage students to make signs/posters celebrating their love for their charter school!
12:00–1:00 PM – Living Wax Museum & Lunch on the Lawn
Lunch tickets will be provided at check-in (again — just one representative per group). Bottled water will also be available.
- See some of Michigan’s legislators come to life! Students from charter schools around Michigan will be portraying legislators in this living wax museum.
- Enjoy a special performance from American International Academy’s marching band!
- There will be a student bubble release to end the day in a celebratory way!
🚗 LOCATION & PARKING INFO
📍 Capitol Building
100 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933
Travel Notes:
I-496 and US-127, specifically the exits around Downtown Lansing, are undergoing construction. We recommend you add an additional 30 minutes to your travel time if you can to account for the construction, and please follow GPS for the fastest route.
Parking Options:
Use the Passport Parking App for metered street parking (max 4 hours; must move zones to extend). Nearby garages include:
- South Grand Ramp – 201 S Grand Ave
- C&W Lot – 231 S Capitol Ave
- North Grand Ramp – 219 N Grand Ave
- Townsend St Ramp – 221 Townsend St
🚌 Large Vehicles & Buses
MAPSA has reserved bagged meters on the east side of Capitol Ave. for Showcase Schools, buses, and large vehicles — first come, first serve. Buses may also park at the Michigan History Center lot (small fee).
⚠️ Please do NOT allow students to cross the street from the bagged meter area.
👟 WHAT TO WEAR & WEATHER CHECK
🌤️ Weather Forecast for Tuesday, May 6, 2025:
- High: 69°F (20°C)
- Low: 53°F (12°C)
- Conditions: Increasing cloudiness throughout the day
- Precipitation: 3% chance
As seasoned Michiganders, we know that the forecast may change closer to the event — come prepared rain or shine! We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather conditions to your preference.
✅ FINAL REMINDERS
- Only ONE person per group should check in.
- Know your group’s shirt sizes ahead of time and wear school swag in case we cannot accommodate your t-shirt size.
- Lunch tickets and details will be in your group envelope, based on your registration count. Let us know ASAP if anything has changed.
We can’t wait to see you at the Capitol! 💜🙌
Let’s make CDAC 2025 the best one yet! 🎉
—
Sarah Paciorek
Project Management & Operations
Hamadeh Educational Services Student Government Association 