NORWICH – When Norwich Middle School English teacher Amy Spittler and her Student Investment Group first came up with the idea to sell Candy-Grams in support of the Chenango SPCA, they anticipated selling around 100 of the personalized, confectionery messages.

Instead, they sold nearly 400, raising over $150 for the local animal shelter.

Initiated this year, NMS’s Student Investment Groups meet once per week on Friday morning, participating in a variety of activities, Spittler said. The program focuses on a number of themes, including leadership, responsibility, fundraising and organizational and cooperative skills.

The whole idea, according to Spittler, is to make connections with kids that teachers may not have in the classroom otherwise.