More than 100 handmade wares designed and created by Life Skills students at high schools in School District 43 (SD43) will be for sale on Wednesday, May 8.
The first annual Spring Market at Gleneagle Secondary in Coquitlam (1195 Lansdowne Dr.) will run in the school foyer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; it is open to the public.
Among the items being sold by the students and their learning support teachers at the 16 vendor tables include cards, dog treats, jewelry, T-shirts, candles, dish clothes, jams, candles, sprays, coasters, dish clothes and other home décor.
Besides Gleneagle, the participating schools are:
- Centennial Secondary
- Dr. Charles Best Secondary
- Heritage Woods Secondary
- Pinetree Secondary
- Port Moody Secondary
- Riverside Secondary
- Terry Fox Secondary
As well, Tri-City businesses that have a connection to a high school student with a disability will also be part of the inaugural market; they include Gabi and Jules, Jones Bones Biscuit Co. Just the Way You Are, Living Your Legacy Apparel and Shimai Cookies and Cakes.
Cash and card tap are accepted; however, some vendors only accept coins and bills.
Jacqueline Oldejans, a Gleneagle Secondary educator who is helping to organize the event, told the Tri-City News today, May 7, that about a dozen Gleneagle teens are involved in the venture, of which SD43 granted $500 for the enterprise.
At Gleneagle, market preparations started last December at the suggestion of educator Kim Coventry. Proceeds will pay for the students’ materials and offset fees for future field trips with the Life Skills cohort.
“We had a lot of fun doing this,” Coventry said, noting the Gleneagle group has now called itself the Happy Family Crafters and follows three mottos:
- Crafting is a 27/7 State of Mind
- Be Ready to Craft At All Times
- Spontaneous Outings Will Happen
SD43’s first Spring Market is attracting a lot of attention.
Coquitlam Couns. Matt Djonlic and Trish Mandewo, as well as Port Coquitlam Couns. Glenn Pollock and Nancy McCurrach, are expected to pop into Gleneagle on Wednesday to see the handmade crafts and talk with the Life Skills students.
