For the 2011-2012 school year TRADART has partnered with the following entities in the operation of the Tools for Schools program:
Buena Tool
· Carpinteria and Santa Barbara area junior and senior high schools
Hayward Lumber
· Los Robles High School/Los Prietos Boys' Camp
· Santa Barbara City College Construction Academy
· Santa Barbara Contractors Association
· Santa Barbara County Education Office’s Partners In Education
TRADART’s main goals through these partnerships is to increase the skills and skill-levels students learn and to define a construction technology pathway from the junior high school, the high school to the community college and to the world of work. A related goal is to increase the visibility and importance of the wood shop and construction technology classes at the junior and senior high schools and the community college.
TRADART board members have met with the teachers as a group a number of times to clarify this year’s individual goals which include:
· Administering a pre and post test to enrolled students to quantify student knowledge gained by taking the classes.
· Administering a satisfaction survey to students to determine the usefulness of the class.
· Creating projects with the materials and tools provided through the Tools for Schools program that can be used by the community or school.
· Using guest speakers-demonstrators from industry on a monthly basis to provide students with “real world” applications.
· Providing monthly job seeking and job keeping skills development units to students.
· Identifying students who are prepared to enroll in a voluntary after school job readiness training class and/or paid internship over the summer.
TRADART Foundation's Tools for Schools program directly served 1,180 students during the 2010-11 school year. 940 students were from three local junior high schools and 240 students were from five local senior high schools.
Please take a look below to see what is happening this year at the various school sites.
Carpinteria High School Teacher - John Avila
Carpinteria High School teacher John Avila reports the students have been digging footings and pouring 6 yards of concrete. His students are planning to build six tack boxes, each 6' h x 3' w x 2' deep.
Dos Pueblos High School Teacher - Mike Ibach
The following note from teacher, Mike Ibach, explains what his students have been doing so far this year:
I received tools and supplies from Buena Tool,thanks to Tradart and the Santa Barbara Contractors Association.
My students recently completed a Display Wall for the Library. The Art Department was awarded a grant and it was decided to create 2 free standing walls to show off student work.
Additionaly 14 feet of shelf space was created for art books. Some of my students helped design, build, paint and install the project.
Students repaired and painted cheering leader boxes.
Student also repaired an outdoor display case which was damaged.
Woodshop students have been building tables, skate decks, lathe projects.
Thanks to Douglas Hardwood Floors we've made countless cutting boards from material that they've donated.
Holiday Toys
Goleta Valley Junior High School Teacher - Bill Gourley
Teacher Bill Gourley and his crew of eager junior high school students have been busy this year working on individual student projects. Take a look at these professional-looking items that have been created by students who had no experience with wood before enrolling in the class this year. Pretty amazing! Also, a note from Mr. Gourley:
We have really been helped a great , great deal by the tools for schools program.
We have been able to expand our program and buy matterials such as pine lumber, glue, saw blades, sanders, and many other needed tools.
We have been able to make many projects such as jewelry boxes, cutting boards, salt and pepper shakers, and also perform many "school improvement projects" around our campus.
Without the generous support of tools for schools I am afraid we might not have much of a technology program to speak of.
Many Thanks!
La Cumbre Junior High School Teacher - David Abel
Students taking David Abel's Wood shop classes have been enjoying their hands-on experiences by making individual projects as depicted below. Most students have never had experience working with wood or using hand and power tools used in the shop. Mr. Abel reports that his students are maintaining a 100% attendance rate in his classes. The smiles on his students' faces show they like taking the class and are very proud of their work!
San Marcos High School Teacher - Hopefully To Be Announced Soon
The wood shop and construction tech classes at San Marcos High School are not being offered at San Marcos High School during the fall semester. TRADART board members have met with the new superintendent, David Cash, to determine why they were not offered and to see if they can be reinstated for the spring semester, which will begin in January 2012.
Santa Barbara High School Teachers - Jeff Squires
Jeff Squires began teaching wood shop and construction tech classes at Santa Barbara High School in spring 2011. Please check back for pictures of class and student projects.
Santa Barbara Junior High School Teacher - Scott Lehman
Scott Lehman was hired over the summer to teach the wood shop classes at Santa Barbara Junior High School. TRADART board members are working with Scott to provide him with support as he begins his new assignment. Please check back soon to see pictures of the class and student projects that are being created.
