Poland Middle School math students learned the ropes of running a successful business, ensuring everyone gets to take part, and in giving back to the community.

It all started with an idea from fifth-grade math teacher and

Kindness Club Adviser Kristi Martin.

“The Poland Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence awards mini-grants to teachers each school year,” Martin said. “I wanted to create a project-based learning opportunity for my fifth-grade math students this year that combined a business framework as well as giving back to others.”

She said that last summer she spoke with her friend and colleague Kim Creed, who teaches the multidisabilities classroom at Poland Middle School for our school,” Martin said. “My friend and colleague Lori Mowad told me about aluminum washer bracelets which students could stamp each letter on a bracelet to create a word. We all thought it would be a great project for our middle schoolers.”

Martin applied for the mini-grant and was awarded it in October.

“The foundation generously donated all supplies needed for my students to make 500 aluminum washer bracelets,” she said. “The donated materials combined to around $1,300.”

The Aluminum Washer Bracelet Fundraiser aims to support students by providing educational resources and engaging real-world opportunities. By promoting economic inclusivity, Martin and her colleagues aimed to empower every student to thrive academically and socially.

“Each bracelet sold represented a commitment to fostering a supportive community where diversity is celebrated, and every student has access to the tools they need for success,” Martin said. “The Poland Local Schools mission statement is to educate, empower, and inspire every student at every opportunity. My goal for this project was to inspire all of our students, regardless of their limitations. One of the Poland Local School District’s core values is to build community involvement. This project allowed students and staff members to wear matching bracelets promoting Poland pride. Including all members of our student body is essential to promoting an inclusive and positive learning environment.”

In total, 66 fifth-grade math classrooms and six students from Kim Creed’s fourth- through sixth-grade classroom joined in the effort for this first-time endeavor.

The students had the tools needed to stamp words onto the washers to make the bracelets. Gift bags were included for the finished bracelets.

Martin said the whole program and forming the business fit into the curriculum very well.

“This project directly connected to the Fifth Grade Math Ohio Learning Standards,” Martin said. “One of the fifth-grade math units in our curriculum has a module which centers around small businesses and utilizing ratio tables to solve for any given amount of a product.”

She said the students held two business meetings before getting into the production segment. In the meetings profits and revenue were a major topic.

Out of the meetings came the company name Big Dog Bracelets and they calculated a $3 price tag.

“A few questions that we discussed during the business meetings included: If we sold the bracelets for more than our original $3 plan, would we run the risk of not selling as many bracelets?” she said. “What could our profit look like if we were to raise our original price? How could we advertise our business to our school? This was a great entrepreneurial experience for my students. Creating a hands-on approach to learning shows extreme benefits for kinesthetic and visual learners.”

With a name and a retail price set, the students went into production. They made the bracelets for two days before Thanksgiving break.

Customers had a choice to order blue or black bracelets with either “Poland” or “Bulldogs” stamped on the washers.

Since Thanksgiving, the mock business raised over $1,000, and orders are still coming in, according to Martin.

“The funds earned from our fundraiser (business) will be given to Mrs. Creed’s students who need some new furniture in their classroom,” Martin said. “The remaining funds will go towards flowers which Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Creed’s students will plant in the spring. This will be a nice reminder to students when they see the flowers planted at the middle school that they helped make a positive difference in our school and community.”

Martin said she has been an educator for 11 years and has found that teaching math is important, but also teaching students to be kind and giving is equally as important.

“My students have made me so proud, they have made an extremely positive impact on our school and the community of Poland,” she said.

The students enjoyed being a part of Big Dog Bracelets.

“Big Dog Bracelets made me feel that we gave back to the world and helped Mrs. Creed’s classroom,” Colton Bond said.

It was not just an educational activity, but students said they connected with the humanity part, too.

“This was a fun activity to do, and we also made a big impact on Mrs. Creed’s students. So we were helping people and having fun at the same time,” Katarina Falasca said.

“I think this business inspires people to do good things for the community and helps people who need support,” Mason Purins said.

“We spoke about (the idea) that my students and her students could come together to collaborate,