Harold Hatcher breaks out the baking

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/04/2015 (3807 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Looking for a locally crafted gift for Mother’s Day? Look no further, for the students and staff at Harold Hatcher have you covered.

Harold Hatcher Elementary School (500 Redonda St.) is hosting its third annual Spring Bazaar & Bake Sale on Sat., May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It’s kind of dual purpose,” principal Tom Code said of the event, which last year drew about 300 people to the Transcona elementary school.

“For one, it’s for the fundraising,” he said. “But we’re always looking for ways to create reasons for people to come here. Not just as a way to educate kids, but so everyone feels this is part of our community. This is one way that we can move towards that goal.”

“It was a different way to fundraise, rather than having kids take home stuff to sell and to bring the community into the school,” added Tasha Kettles, who sits on the Parent Council and Library Fundraising Committee and organizes the bazaar and bake sale.

Funds raised at the Spring Bazaar & Bake Sale go towards the continued remodelling of Harold Hatcher’s open concept library, which sits across from the office as the heart, or “hub,” of the school.

“Libraries are becoming learning commons,” vice-principal Pamela Alexander said. “It’s not just a place where kids will read quietly, but places where kids can interact, and learn with other groups.”

Built in 1975, much of Harold Hatcher Elementary School is built around the open concept, as are a number of other schools in River East-Transcona School District and across Winnipeg.

“The philosophy was if you had open areas, you could work together as classes,” Code explained. “It’s a good idea, so long as you are working together. If you’re working independently, it becomes more of a challenge.”

Code added that the students at Harold Hatcher respond very well to the open concept design, but as the school continues to grow, there is pressure to close up some of the open rooms into more traditional classrooms.

However, there are no such plans for the library. Remodelling plans are in place to improve the library.

“We need some furniture to make it more comfortable,” Alexander said.

“There are things being made to block sound,” added Code. “We’d like to add some lighting. That’s what we’re fundraising for.”

Bake sale items are donated by staff and parents of students. All the crafts for sale at the Spring Bazaar & Bake Sale are handmade locally in Manitoba, with a table of student-made crafts for sale as well.  There will also be a silent auction.

“Every crafter donates an item that they would sell on their table to the silent auction,” Kettles added.

Proceeds from the bake sale and silent auction will also benefit the library, as does the $1 entry fee to the event. Lunch is also available for purchase on site.

And as though that weren’t enough to entice local baking and craft enthusiasts out of the woodwork, Kettle reminded everyone that the event is held May 2, which happens to be “the weekend before Mother’s Day…”

Facebook.com/TheHeraldWPG
Twitter: @heraldWPG