Vic West student's candy business a sweet deal for the PAC

At May's general meeting, the Parent Advisory Council was delighted to hear a presentation from 8-year-old Vic West Elementary student, Kai Webb, about the launch of his own candy vending machine business. Parents gathered around the table in the school staff room were struck not only by Kai's business ambition, but also by his intentions. This young entrepreneur wants to donate 25 per cent of the profits from his new business to his school PAC.

Kai's mom, PAC Co-Vice President Debbie Webb, said Kai had been talking about many business ideas with his parents and the candy machines was one they figured he'd have a good chance at being successful with. "He also does really want to help others and hears us talk about the PAC and what we do for the school," said Debbie, "This is great way for him to give back and help his school, friends and himself."

Taking some time away from his busy school (and business) day, Kai answered a few questions for us about his new business venture.

1 - What are your goals for your business?
"I want to learn about money and business. My goals are to expand my business, get some money and buy a laptop. I also want to help the school."

2 - Why have you decided to give a portion of your profits to the PAC?
"So they can buy supplies, field trips and events like Story Theater. In our class we are almost out of erasers and this might might help get us more. This will help all the kids in my school."

3 - What have you learned so far?
"I have been learning more math, like less expensive candies will give me more profits. Jelly beans so far cost the least per gram, so they will make the most profit and I can make it give the most amount of candy to people as well. I have been writing letters to businesses and talking to businesses, which helps me learn about talking and writing. I have learned to have the measurements of my vending machines which is part of being descriptive and ready."

4 - Any advice for other people about starting a business?
"Have a plan. Talk to businesses about your idea, and be loud and proud of your business. Act on your plan and leave your fears behind."

Good advice! Kai's candy machines, which accept quarters, will be proudly available for use at the PAC's annual garage sale coming up on Saturday, May 25th from 9-noon in the school gym. Sweet!

Garage Sale Day: donate old treasures and find new ones

The annual Victoria West Elementary School PAC Garage Sale is coming up on Saturday May 25th from 9-noon in the school gym. This fundraising event brings together the school community and the Vic West community in support of important school programs and activities. You can help by:

DROPING OFF A DONATION OF USED ITEMS

Donations are now being accepted in the front office, 750 Front Street.

BAKING DELICIOUS GOODIES 

Can you spare a dozen muffins? Cupcakes? Cookies? We will be selling baked goods to all those hungry garage salers (with Spiral Cafe coffee too). Baked goods can be delivered on Friday, May 24th to the school office, or brought to the sale.

BRINGING YOUR EMPTIES FOR OUR BOTTLE DRIVE

Bring your bottles and cans and we will take them in, count them and do the messy work. (alcohol containers ARE accepted)

BRINGING YOUR PENNIES

Do you have piles of pennies sitting around? Bring them on by and we will roll them and donate them to the MS Society. This is a commitment the PAC has made to support grade one student, Cole Rant, in his goal of raising money for this cause.

VOLUNTEERING AT THE GARAGE SALE

We are always in great appreciation of anyone willing to spend a couple of hours of their time on the day of the sale. We will be looking for people to come and help from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please consider spending the day with us to help raise money for our school. Contact the PAC at vicwestpac@gmail.com.

SHOPPING FOR TREASURES

Every purchase you make at the garage sale helps the PAC support school programs and activities. Come select for a wide variety of used items.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Rain garden reading

What's a relaxing thing to do outdoors on a sunny day? Read, of course! These photos were contributed by Division 7 teacher, Ms. Solecki, who encouraged her students to take advantage of a beautiful day and read in the school rain garden.

Buy Mabel's Labels and support the Vic West PAC

Support Our Fundraiser!

As a way to target the problem of lost belongings and a large lost and found closet, Victoria West Elementary PAC is fundraising with Mabel's Labels, a company with all types of labels that are colourful, indestructible, easy-to-use and fun!

Iron-Ons, Stickies, Bag Tags, Allergy Alert labels & more! Personalize your labels with names, nicknames, initials - whatever you choose. Cool icons help even little ones identify their own belongings. Dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested! Dispatched within 24 hours!

Click on the Mabel's Label's graphic above to place your order while helping our PAC fundraiser!

About Mabel’s Labels!

"We are moms who were frustrated by the amount of stuff that left our houses, never to return. After lots of research and testing we created the perfect fun, durable labels for the stuff kids lose!

Our sticky labels and clothing labels, which are dishwasher, microwave and laundry safe, are not only practical, but also designed to be very special to each child. The labels are customized with a child’s name, favourite mix of colours and an icon (animal, symbol, etc.). We have also expanded our product line to include personalized stationery products, ID wristbands and household labels.

We strive to continuously design innovative labels for babies, kids and grown-ups alike. You’ll be amazed at what you can label!"

MS Walk fundraising success!

Thank you to all Victoria West Elementary students, staff and families who came together to raise $200 for the Multiple Sclerosis Walk on Sunday, April 14th. Every contribution mattered. An extra special thank you to Eden Forbes who donated $55 of her birthday money to her friend and classmate, Cole Rant, who was raising money and doing the walk for his grandmother, Barri Ann, who was a former student of Vic West and whose journey with MS sadly came to an end this past February. 

And who's that with the pink hair?! A big shout out to school principal, Mr. Cardle, who kept his word and dyed his hair a lovely shade of pink to celebrate reaching the fundraising goal. The promise was a great motivator for the students to get those loonies and toonies donated.

Vic West is Best!

Monk Office School Supply Fundraiser

MONK OFFICE SCHOOL SUPPLY FUNDRAISER

Save time! Save money! Raise funds for your child’s school!

April 15, 2013

Dear Vic West Parents/Caregivers,

The VW PAC is offering you the opportunity to get your school supplies for next year. They will be hand delivered to the school in June. Imagine, when August rolls around, instead of going all over town to get the right school supplies, you can just open your box of pre-packaged supplies (that you picked up at the school at the end of June) and send your child to school with them!

Here is how it works: you look over the order form you received in your child's backpack, (which is based on what grade your child will be in next year), decide on what you want to purchase, and write a cheque for the supplies. Cheques are to be made payable to Monk Office.  Have your child hand in the form, with the cheque attached, to their teacher by Friday, May 3^rd.

** Please make sure to include your phone number and email address on the order form so that we can contact you when the supplies have arrived, which will be around June 18^th.

If you have any questions, please email us at vicwestpac@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Your Parent Advisory Council

Victoria West Elementary School

Win a Samsung Galaxy tablet!

The PAC is announcing an exciting new raffle! First prize is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (valued at $200), and second prize is a $100 gift Monk Office gift certificate. These raffle prizes are being generously donated to our PAC by Monk Office. Tickets will be on sale for $1 per ticket at all PAC-organized or participated events for the remainder of the 2012/2013 school year. Upcoming opportunities to buy tickets include:

Bottle drive on Friday, April 5th at 8:15-9 a.m. (in the courtyard)

General PAC meeting on Wednesday, April 10th at 6:30 p.m. (staff room)

Parent Education Night on Thursday, April 11th at 6:30 p.m. (in the library)

Movie night on Thursday, April 19th at 6 p.m. (in the gym)

and many more...

So gather your loonies and toonies and try your luck at winning these amazing prizes!