MARYSVILLE — The McDonalds on State Avenue was bustling with students, parents and teachers Oct. 9, as the restaurant conducted its “McTeacher Night” on behalf of Totem Middle School.

“Teachers are behind the counter, parents are busing tables and kids are outside, waving down cars,” said Totem Middle School teacher Jennifer Schmidt, as McDonalds employee Shahad Al-Mansuri helped her work the cash register and take orders from customers. “The last time our kids cleaned graffiti.”

The McTeacher Night helped raise funds to send 42 students and 11 adult chaperones to Washington, D.C., and New York City, Jan. 19-24, in time to see the presidential inauguration in person. In addition to giving the group a tour of the Smithsonian and invitations to an inaugural ball “just for kids,” the group will also visit the Empire State Building, Ellis Island and Rockefeller Plaza.

In the meantime, 15 students, half a dozen school staff members and a dozen parents were on hand at McDonaldsto help cover the cost of approximately $1,700 per student for the trip. The McTeacher Night is the latest in a series of fundraisers that has already included car washes and silent auctions.

“I look forward to seeing the kids have fun,” Schmidt said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”