Submitted by Rich Tamblyn Principal, Toniata Public School – December 4th
When kids get excited about their work, those joyful feelings are contagious. And spreading happiness and joy is the purpose behind the student-run card company that has formed at Toniata Public School.
The idea started in October when the Grade 1 students in Sherry Leeder’s class were making Halloween cards. The students enjoyed card making so much, they wanted to continue. That’s when the notion of a card-making company took shape.
With Leeder to guide them, the students created a business plan and brought it forward to Toniata Principal Rich Tamblyn, who says there was no way he’d say no to such a creative endeavor.
“When kids are this passionate about their work and can make a simple activity like card making turn into a business, there are so many learning and character-building opportunities that come with it. They are small people, but they have big plans, and I’m excited to support them,” says Tamblyn.
With the green light to continue, they came up with a company name (Kids Wonder Fun), a logo, found investors to donate card-making supplies, and even named their executive team.
With CEO Quinn Sheffield, President Gracie O’Neil, COO Clark Casselman and IT Guy Isaac Guerin at the helm of the executive team, the class has business meetings to discuss their next card creations, and have even formed a Creative Consulting Team, which decides the card themes and colours.
“The kids make all the decisions with running this company. It started out as a media literacy activity but has expanded into so much more. We are really hitting every area of the curriculum with this project. I’m excited to see where they take this throughout the school year,” says Leeder.
Kids Wonder Fun has made more than 70 cards so far and has no plans of stopping. Their latest partnership is with Senior Support Services (CPHC), which will be delivering Christmas cards to local seniors’ residences. The cards from Toniata will be going to Bridlewood Manor in Brockville.
While the class takes the company responsibility seriously, they always stay focused on why they launched in the first place.
“We are only five- and six-year-olds and we are already running a business,” says Quinn. “The point of running this business is to make people happy.”
In a typical year, students would visit seniors’ homes but with strict COVID-19 precautions in place, that isn’t possible. Instead, area seniors will receive hand-made cards. Although not affiliated with Kids Wonder Fun, Lyn Public School and Westminster Public School will also be making cards for local seniors’ residences in conjunction with CPHC. Lyn’s cards will go to Mapleview Lodge in Athens and Westminster’s will go to Rosedale in Brockville.