L-Way students selling poinsettias
From Staff Reports November 29, 2012 11:38AM
Lincoln-Way East High School senior Matthew Frame waters one of the many poinsettias for sale in the school’s greenhouse. | submitted photo
Updated: January 1, 2013 6:23AM
Months of hard work and delicate nurturing have paid off for students in the Special Service’s Transition Program at Lincoln-Way East High School.
Students have been growing about 400 poinsettia plants in the school’s greenhouse (House of Blooms) since September and are ready to begin selling them.
“The kids in the transition program have done an awesome job,” said Joshua Kreske, the transitional coordinator at East.
“The poinsettias are absolutely beautiful this year,” he added.
Students began growing the poinsettias from rooted cuttings in September, learning how to keep them moist in the early stages; and then pinching their tops to promote growth.
Four weeks in, they carefully transplanted the poinsettias from 2-inch pots to 6-inch pots.
About 40 students were involved in the project, giving them an opportunity to learn valuable job skills, such as how to work as a team, how to follow multistep directions, how to advocate for themselves and how to problem solve.
The program was initiated by East’s Special Services Department two years ago to benefit students with special needs.
Students are selling their poinsettias for $5 each. Each one comes with a decorative foil cover.
A deluxe version, which includes a decorative foil cover, ribbon, glitter and a handmade holiday planter decoration, also is available for $7.
Those interested in purchasing a poinsettia may contact the Special Services Department at 815-464-4121.
