Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative Students Create and Sell Holiday Crafts for Fairhaven Youth Vendor Fair

DARTMOUTH — Executive Director Catherine Cooper is pleased to share that Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) students participated in the Youth Vendor Fair in Fairhaven on Dec.15.

SMEC students in the Transitional Services Program (TSP) prepared for the vendor fair by creating various crafts throughout the week and working in teams to create a final product. They made cloud slime and Christmas tree and snowflake ornaments.

A TSP staff member and her husband donated wooden trees and ceramic ornaments. Students then decorated their own wooden Christmas tree, decked with lights and holiday elements.

Students also created stovetop potpourri kits made of dried cranberries, oranges, cinnamon, and other spices, which were popular with fair shoppers.

“I was happy to help,” one TSP student said.

Another added, “It was fun to work together in teams.”

After crafting their wares, the items were sold at the Youth Vendor Fair in Fairhaven on Sunday, Dec. 15. A TSP student assisted volunteers with selling the items at the fair throughout the day.

“I’m incredibly proud of all of our students and staff who came together to make this a successful community event, while also participating in activities that reinforce the value of teamwork,” TSP leader Jen Levasseur said. “I’m thrilled that we were able to highlight the incredible work that our students regularly produce while also spreading the word in the community about our program and enriching activities.”

About Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative

The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative is a public education collaborative established in 1975. SMEC is an extension of 10 public school systems, which make up its membership. The present membership includes the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rochester and Old Rochester Regional public school districts. SMEC accepts students for enrollment in its programs from school systems throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The Collaborative’s programs and services are locally based and locally directed and are designed to supplement the special education resources of its member districts.

SMEC offers a variety of services for students with special needs aged 3-21 as well as adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, visit smecollaborative.org.

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