Christmas market at Westmount School

Times Reporter   

 

Westmount school’s gymnasium was bustling with many parent and student shoppers at their annual Christmas Market on Thursday, Dec. 19.

The students from Grades 5 and 6 have a number of learning opportunities presented to them before their market of almost 10 years ever opens its doors to this year’s customers. First off, the students (and their parents) donate their products that they have created. Everything from hot chocolate mixes, ornaments, bookmarks, artwork and baking are available for a small sum of money. 

It gives the children from kindergarten to Grade 4 an opportunity to buy affordable gifts for their families. The students are taught marketing skills, advertising of their products, how to price their items, supply and demand, and an all important task in this day of technology, to deal with counting out change (a lost art for sure).

The kids have a great time making their products, and selling their products but here’s the catch … none of the money goes into their pockets. All the money raised goes to a charity or organization that they choose beforehand. This year the funds will be split between Strathmore’s Hope Bridges and the Tim Horton’s Ranch in the Kananaskis. Coordinator for this year’s market was Ms. Cook, who said their grand total raised this year was $2,926. It is wonderful for the kids to recognize the need in their communities, and then to be able to give back is a greater gift.