Crafter Edge History

Crafters Edge Expectations

Crafters Edge was founded in the fall of 1982 by the eighth grade class at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier, Vermont and is presently in its 32st year of operation. Students in the program are responsible for running a business through integrated activities in Family & Consumer Science, Technology Education and Art. Business operations include running seven school wide dances a year, production of saleable, high quality products, managing a craft fair of 50+ vendors, operating a diner serving breakfast and lunch at the craft fair, and selling products in school. Although the dances run throughout the school year, the actual business course is taught only during the first 12 weeks of the school year.

The focus and design of the Crafters Edge leadership program is to provide learning opportunities for students in the areas of communication, reasoning and problem solving, personal development and civic and social responsibility within the Vermont Framework for Standards. While everyone is working towards meeting the standards, individuals have various responsibilities and perform them in different capacities. In the late spring of their seventh grade year, students are oriented to the program, complete job applications and are interviewed by the instructors for positions within the company. These positions include, but are not limited to: President, Vice President, Financial Managers, Secretary, Advertising Managers, Dance Coordinators, Disc Jockeys, Department Managers, Department Supervisors, Associate Chefs in Family & Consumer Science, and Associates of Product Design and Production in Art. As students enter their 8th grade year, everyone is raring to get involved.

Students celebrate their accomplishments with a class trip and also donate a portion of their proceeds to needy organizations. Over the years, groups have made contributions to organizations like the Central Vermont humane society, Montpelier Food bank, Vermont Make a Wish, and Vermont Irene fund.

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