A new jewelry line designed by students is becoming a fashion trend among Poplar Bluff Middle School staff. 

Treasured Trinkets, a craft business launched to help Life Skills students develop fine motor skills, was introduced to the school community last month during Open House. 

“We’re having students try new skills so they can learn to one day be independent,” explained Shalyn Copas, teacher of the fifth and sixth grade class. “They’re asking for help, building grit, [exerting] the appropriate effort when challenged, working at a reasonable pace and they’re leaving here knowing how to make the stuff, which is also neat.” 

Students rotate stations in small groups on Fridays, and school personnel are invited to stop by the classroom to place custom orders of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. A register is set up for students to practice making change, and the class assists with inventory after reviewing sales. So far over 50 pieces have been sold. 

The class helped create the logo for the business, selecting the desired font. Staff members were asked to submit business name suggestions. Teacher Julia Dragon is credited for coming up with the final choice and was rewarded with a free necklace for her participation. 

The proceeds from the store after purchasing the necessary supplies will go toward a field trip. Last year students studied world geography and then visited the Lazy L Safari Park north of Cape Girardeau to learn about the countries from which the animals in the petting zoo originated. 

In years past, the functional activity of the Life Skills class involved a drink and snack cart that students used to make deliveries throughout the building. This summer Copas decided she wanted to come up with a “non-food related” activity that went beyond teaching social skills, she said. 

To submit an order, join the Facebook group Treasured Trinkets by PBMS. Click here to watch a video from the store’s grand opening. 

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Cutline: Fifth grade teacher Leslie Elledge purchases jewelry from student Jose on Thursday, Oct. 3. “I am pretty much only gonna buy earrings from them,” Elledge commented.