When DE Jared Verse jogged into the gymnasium at Big Creek Elementary School to the roaring cheers from students lining the bleachers, he had flashbacks to playing Just Dance as a kid in school. With memories flooding back of his childhood days in gym class, Verse ran down the front row with a huge smile across his face as he gave out high fives.

After greeting the students, Verse answered their questions, which ranged from his favorite pre-game snack — Cheez-Its— to his favorite part about school, which was recess. Verse also revealed that if he wasn't a football player he would be a writer.

"I remember when I was their age, it was one of the most memorable times of my life," Verse said. "I wish that we had people that came to my school and did exactly what I was able to do today and just be a good memory for them."

On Nov. 3, Verse attended the Browns' Gym Class Takeover, presented by Meijer, at Big Creek Elementary School to celebrate students' good attendance. The event was the third of four Gym Class Takeovers that the Browns will hold in the 2026 fall semester.

Verse, after answering questions, presented Berea City School District with a check for $2,500 on behalf of the Cleveland Browns Foundation and Meijer to provide further support for the district's attendance efforts.

Following the conclusion of the opening assembly, Verse stood near the exit to interact with each student as they left the gym. A group of students chosen for their strong attendance stayed to participate in six non-contact football stations with Verse, including an agility ladder, a flag-wall relay race and tic-tac-toe with flags.

Verse helped the students practice their ball security while also competing in an agility race at another station. At the end, he signed each of the students' shirts as a lasting memento of the day.

"Wherever you are, you have to make an impact in the community," Verse said. "Being in Cleveland, being back in Ohio, it's one of the most important things. And being able to make that impact on the kids is very important."

The Gym Class Takeover was held as part of the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, which was launched in 2019 by the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, now managed by Battelle. The Network, which is currently active in 201 districts across Ohio and impacts 611,000 students, works to reduce chronic school absenteeism.

Berea City School District, which Big Creek Elementary School is a part of, joined the SITG! Attendance Network during the 2023-24 school year. Big Creek Elementary School has seen the impact of the SITG! Attendance Network has made, including a seven percent decrease in chronic absenteeism since the 2023-24 school year. After the event, Big Creek Elementary School Assistant Principal Samantha Turner, who introduced Verse at the assembly, explained how special the moment was for the students.

"That was probably one of my favorite things so far that I've done as an assistant principal," Turner said. "Seeing their faces and how excited they were, and also how proud they were of the growth, attendance and the decrease in chronic absenteeism. We are so proud of them, and it was cool to see that they were proud of themselves also."

In addition to their dedication to improving school attendance, the Browns remain committed to advancing both youth and high school football throughout Northeast Ohio. The Browns achieve this goal through their year-round programming — which includes camps and other initiatives — that promote the emotional, intellectual, physical and social development of participating youth athletes. They focus on promoting participation, equity and development while creating equal opportunities for youth football and supporting coaches, officials and parents.

Browns Flag In-Schools is one of their initiatives, which is active in 17 SITG! districts. The Browns' third Gym Class Takeover served as the introductory event for the Berea City School District into the program, which will become the 18^th district. Browns Flag In-Schools is a turn-key flag football implementation model provided to physical education teachers that establishes a base for lifelong physical activity for their students. The program works with the SITG! Attendance Network by providing school-based activities to further engage students and increase school attendance. Gym Class Takeovers, presented by Meijer, are one of those experiences for schools activating Browns Flag In-Schools.

Prior to the implementation of the Browns Flag In-Schools program, Big Creek Elementary School has seen the power of their partnership with the Browns through the SITG! Attendance Network.

"We do monthly challenges, the Browns supply us with a lot of giveaways and prizes for the kids, as well as our attendance pledges that we do at the beginning of the year," Big Creek Elementary School Principal Lindsey Capacetti said. "And having the partnership to have them be able to come in and do events like this is just cherry on top of the cake. It's incredible."