Festive treats and holiday themed decorations sparkled around the Senate Room for the Self Contained Student Developmental Class’ Annual Holiday Boutique. Students and teachers browsed the handmade items set out on tables on Dec. 12 and 13 from the beginning of school until 3 p.m.
Individualized Instructor Ms. Mary Jane Card and her students spent the two days selling holiday themed baked goods and decorations at the Holiday Boutique in an effort to raise money for their class.
“I love the Holiday Boutique,” Principal Mary Jo Fosselman King said. “I always spend a lot of money. I bought a blanket, some pretzels for my fellow administrators, and a little holiday banner. I also bought some of these nice holiday gift card bags.”
Ms. Card’s students have been preparing for the Holiday Boutique since the beginning of October. They spent two periods each day making crafts and decorations to display. This project allowed the students to have fun making merchandise to sell to their friends and family while learning new life and creativity skills.
“We had a lot of fun making banana bread, pumpkin bread and brownies from scratch,” Freshman David Cosloff said. “We also made pretzel rods, rice krispies treats, chocolate-covered Oreos, jewelry, ornaments and key chains.”
The program made almost $1,000 at last year’s boutique. The students were able to sell about three quarters of their items on the first day this year and expect to surpass the previous total.
“This morning David’s father and grandmother came in and bought everything that he had made,” Ms. Card said. “They were very excited to be able to buy something that he had created.”
All of the merchandise at the Holiday Boutique was made with delicate detail and displayed each student’s intricate craftsmanship. For example, the handmade present tags look like they were hand crafted not by a high school student, but by a professional artisan.
This event is special for the students because they enjoy and appreciate seeing people who are willing to give up their time and money to buy their items. It provides the students with a sense of accomplishment.
“I think it’s a lot of fun,” Ms. King said. “The special needs students seem really proud of their accomplishments.”
All of the proceeds made at the Holiday Boutique will be used to fund new equipment and fun activities for Ms. Card’s students. They are looking forward to buying new Kindle Fire tablets and having a field trip to the Santa Anita Mall.