Use it!!!! I use all of my vintage ladies and gents. I rotate through my treadles, but I have my favorites that get used almost daily. Two of my 100 year old gals have been used to make baby quilts from start to finish.
Excellent idea to teach the kids that you can recycle and use vintage items. I would love to see the projects that they make with your machine. Just post pictures in quilts made using vintage machines thread here on QB.
Someone on the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop thread can help you if you need assistance.
Have fun treadling!