Enterprising students at Pleasant Corners Public School (PCPS) near Vankleek Hill have raised $5,000 to help para cyclist Joey Desjardins get to the World Championships in Zurich Switzerland later this year.
The Kidpreneurs of grades 5, 6, and 7 showed off their business savvy on Thursday, June 13 at the school’s Business Fair. As part of the Real-World Learning (RWL) initiative of the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB), 120 students created 21 small businesses selling a variety of trinkets and tasty treats. The centre of the school took on the feel of a busy mall and food court during the Business Fair, which was attended by parents and community members.
Kidpreneurship is meant to encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship in youth.
“Learning about business development from the ground up,” is how teacher Jennifer Anderson described it. She oversees RWL activities at PCPS.
The UCDSB provided $4,000 to help the students start their various businesses. All of the proceeds went to fund Desjardins travel costs for the World Championships in September.
“We’re going to help him get there with the funds we raise tonight,” Anderson said.
Desjardins, who attended PCPS, led the way on Friday, June 14 at the PCPS Community Bike Ride. That morning, 120 students in grades 5 and 6 followed Desjardins along roadways and through the playground surrounding the school. Not all students had a bicycle of their own to use, so 32 bicycles were collected from other people in the community so everyone could participate. PCPS graduate and triathlete Lisa Gauthier also participated in the ride. She and Desjardins were inducted into the PCPS Wall of Fame on Friday.
Desjardins competed at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. On June 14, he said he is still waiting to find out if he will be competing as part of Team Canada at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris in August and September. Desjardins said it all depends on selection criteria.
“There’s 10 of us competing for four spots,” Desjardins said.
