Our Story
We are a group of virtual OCSB grade three students from Assumption , Corpus Christi and St. Brigid Elementary Schools. Our teacher Ms. Somers registered us in the Ottawa Catholic School Board's Social Entrepreneur Program . The goal of this program is to provide students with a meaningful and authentic opportunity to deepen their learning and to make a positive difference in the world. Our business coach is Ms. Weil and she facilitates our weekly business meetings and helps to guide our learning. We are also supported by Miss Perkins who is an OCSB Immaculata grad and is now a business student at the University of Ottawa. She assists us with media and graphic design. We work together to connect, collaborate and create!
Welcome to Civitas Smile Bags
We chose the name Civitas Smile Bags because we are all about partnerships. Civitas means "community" in Latin. We offer a small gift bag of hope. In each bag you will both give and receive. Your purchase will support a grade 3 virtual class in learning how to make the world a better place. The profits from your purchase will go to charity. We want to help support the homeless and hungry in the city of Ottawa. Each bag contains a lip balm, a reusable cloth mask, a chocolate treat and a special message from us!
Our Product
Each organic cotton Civitas Smile Bag has a Mama Dye reusable mask, a Twenty20 shea butter lip balm, a Cylie chocolate bar or chocolate robot and a special message from us!
Our Partners
Twenty20 Skincare is an Ottawa based business featuring natural ingredients from Ghana. Your purchase will help to support a female black owned business.
Cylie Artisans Chocolatiers is an Ottawa based business that focuses on the art of chocolate and pastry. Your purchase will help to support a female co-founded business.
MamaDye is an Ottawa based business that makes custom made tie dye masks and more. Your purchase will help to support a female owned business.
Reviews and Testimonials
Review
I was so proud of purchasing three Civitas Smile Bags for three reasons! Firstly, Ms. Somers invited me to her virtual class when she had one of the local partners (Twenty20 Skin Care) join the class so that this entrepreneur could share how she started up her business from scratch! I could see the students' engagement increase as the presentation moved forward because the class was going to be supporting this local business. Secondly, the Social Entrepreneurship Program is highlighting the importance of our Deep Learning Framework and how it supports students in learning about "real life" situations. Not only are they learning about it, they are actively engaged in the learning and are true partners! Finally, I personally loved the products that were in the bags. As soon as I opened my bag, I ate the locally made chocolate (Cylie Artisan Chocolates) immediately! Well done grade three students and Ms. Somers!
-Shelley Montgomery- OCSB Superintendent of Student Success, Elementary
Who We Support
Social Enterprise
We donate the profits from our business to charity. We researched a variety of social issues and decided that the homeless and vulnerable populations in our city need our help. We are donating our profits to help support the good work of The Ottawa Mission and Furry Tales Rescue.
Location
OCSB Virtual Grade 3 Student Business
Civitas Smile Bags
Ottawa, Canada
Local pick-up:
Corpus Christi Elementary
798 Lyon Street, Ottawa
OCSB Internal Mail Delivery is also possible. Please advise about your location.
Pick-up begins February 1st, 2021
Mon - Fri
9 a.m.- 3 p.m.