The third grade students of Sunview Elementary School will be at the Mayfield Heights Wal-Mart and the Lyndhurst Pet Supplies Plus from 10-3pm on December 17.  They are not only learning a valuable lesson in economics but in animal welfare as well. 

In a unit developed to teach students about economics the teachers have created a business opportunity for their students. Knowing that their product was going to meet the needs of pet owners in our area, the students chose to name their company The Sunview Pet Lovers. One of their first tasks was to request a $300 loan from the banker, represented by Mrs. Taylor, the school’s principal. The loan was used to purchase the materials needed to create their pet toys. The terms of the loan included using the collateral of their recess in the event they are unable to repay the loan in full.

During production, the students split into two groups to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of an assembly line versus independent production. Some items the students created included pull toys, cat teasers, and scarves for humans and pets. They created these items using fleece, tennis balls, chopsticks and yarn. To teach the students about bartering, parents exchanged cutting fleece for additional chores to be completed at home. Finally, the students determined the price of the toys they created. 

Please support these students for all of their hard work, as well as support animals in need this holiday season. All of the profits of this sale will be donated to Marilyn’s Voice, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. They primarily rescue dogs from puppy mills but also take in other abused and abandoned dogs. The dogs are immediately treated by a veterinarian and placed into foster homes where they will join a volunteer’s family and learn what it is like to be a beloved family pet. Any funds raised go directly do the dog’s vet bills and care.

To learn more about Marilyn’s Voice please visit, http://www.marilynsvoice.org/