At FJC, creativity doesn’t just stay in the art room — it reaches far beyond our walls.
Ms. Gaudioso, our talented art teacher, has introduced a meaningful new initiative through The Crayon Initiative, giving our students an opportunity to support children across the country in a truly special way.
The Crayon Initiative began when founder Bryan Ware noticed his children coloring at a restaurant and wondered what happens to those crayons once families leave. The answer? Most are thrown away and end up in landfills, where wax never biodegrades. Determined to find a better solution, Bryan began collecting used crayons, melting them down, and remanufacturing them into brand-new crayons.
Working alongside an occupational therapist, he even redesigned them — creating large, three-sided crayons that are easier for children to grip and won’t roll off hospital trays. These recycled crayons are then distributed free of charge to children in hospitals nationwide, bringing comfort, creativity, and a bit of joy during difficult times.
Thanks to Ms. Gaudioso’s leadership, FJC has officially collected and sent off our first batch of crayons! Soon, they will be transformed into new crayons for children who are hospitalized.
We are so grateful to Ms. Gaudioso for bringing this thoughtful, heartwarming opportunity to our school community. It’s a wonderful reminder that even something as small as a crayon can make a big difference — and that our FJC students continue to SOAR by showing Ownership, Acceptance, and Respect for others.
