Market gives St. Catharines Collegiate another opportunity to connect with community

Teacher Lisa Koster was joined by Grade 11 business students Kevin Watson and Josh Eymann last month as St. Catharines Collegiate ran its vendor booth at the St. Catharines Farmer’s Market. ~ Luke Edwards photo

By Luke Edwards

A vendor stall at the St. Catharines farmer’s market means the work of its students isn’t just going towards good grades, they’re also supporting the school and providing tasty treats or keepsakes for the public.

For a few weeks each spring and fall, the downtown market welcomes students from St. Catharines Collegiate, who sell a mixture of items created by members of technology classes like culinary, manufacturing and construction. The partnership gives the students real world experience, while also raising some money to go back into their school departments.

“It showcases our students’ work,” said Collegiate teacher Lisa Koster.

The vendor booth at the market is just one of several ways the school offers experiential learning for the students, in addition to running the school cafeteria and offering some catering at the District School Board of Niagara offices.

“This is just another one of our ways to build community relationships and give students hands-on learning,” Koster said.

Money raised through the sales goes back into the school departments, allowing classes to buy additional items that may not be available through regular school funding. For instance, Koster showed off some charcuterie boards students made that utilized hardwood types that aren’t often available in construction classrooms.

Koster said it usually picks up around lunchtime, when nearby residents and office workers search for lunch options. Fortunately the students had some homemade pizza, along with baked treats to go with the charcuterie boards, coasters, and other items.

An additional bonus, she said, is that Collegiate alumni often stop by, offering a chance for former students to connect with current students or reconnect with their high school teachers.

The school’s stay at the St. Catharines market wraps up in mid-May. The school is also planning its annual plant sale, on Wednesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Catherine Street school. 