Demand for student-grown poinsettias has been so great this year that students in the Special Service’s Transition Program at Lincoln-Way East High School have completely sold out of the holiday plants.

“The students did an excellent job in the greenhouse,” said Joshua Kreske, the transitional coordinator at Lincoln-Way East. “They were able to work cooperatively with their peers and job coaches to produce an outstanding crop of poinsettias. Their hard work and dedication was superb.”

Students sold their last poinsettia Dec. 13.

They began growing the 400-plus plants in the school’s greenhouse in September. They began selling them to the community at the end of November.

“The community continues to display great support for our Transition Program,” said Kreske.

Students will now turn their attention to growing Easter Lilies and a variety of annuals and vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, impatiens, geraniums and petunias.

Community members will have an opportunity to purchase the annuals and vegetables in the spring. The plants usually go on sale in May. For updates, email houseofblooms@lw210.org.

About 40 students are involved in the greenhouse project, giving them an opportunity to learn valuable job skills, such as how to work as a team, how to follow multi-step directions, how to advocate for themselves and how to problem solve.

The program was initiated by Lincoln-Way East’s Special Services Department two years ago to benefit students with special needs. Students call their business House of Blooms.

Proceeds from each sale are used to further develop transitional opportunities and experiences for the East students in Special Services.