December 6, 2010

E.J. James Public School’s popular Holiday Shop, held December 1, was another resounding success, as some 3,000 items were sold to bolster Christmas cheer, teach a few life lessons and, most importantly, help some worthwhile charities.

The Holiday Shop began in 2003 at Ecole Linbrook. Since Linbrook closed this year, some of those students now attend E.J. James but staff, students and parents wanted to continue the tradition, heavily. Proceeds are donated to The Oakville Parent Child Centre and Ten Thousand Villages.

E. J. James families were asked to look through their homes for ‘treasures’ they were no longer using and asked them to donate those items. In addition, there were generous donations of items from a few local businesses. E.J. James also has an eager craft club, who, under parent supervision, produced hundreds of beautiful crafts to sell at the Holiday Shop.

What also make the event more personal is the older students help the younger students pick out gifts to buy.

It’s an activity the community truly “embraces”, says parent volunteer Monique Newman, who alongside parent volunteer Carolyn Dell, were instrumental in getting the shop up and running.

“Younger children wait their turn each year until finally they are old enough to be the ‘elves’ helping younger children shop,” says Newman. “Typically, the students from Grade 5 to 8 take leadership roles, which include producing crafts, helping the younger children shop, creating ‘jingles’ to advertise, assisting with decorating the gym and wrapping gifts. The shop could not run if not for the support of more than 50 parent volunteers each year.”

E.J. James Principal Suzanne Leclerc-Harwood says the shop also has a clear curriculum tie-in by helping students learn leadership skills.

“It ties into our School Improvement Plan, which includes elements of safety and well being. It is an activity where we are building a sense of community,” she says. “We look for opportunities for all students to get involved in a school event. This, we hope, will give them a sense of belonging. As children shop for their family and friends, it teaches them the joy of giving – one of life's lessons.”