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New HHS shop program to teach next generation of Healdsburg tradesmen
Plans will be unveiled at meeting on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.
By Nathan Wright
Staff Writer
Plans for Healdsburg High School’s new construction technology program will be unveiled at a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 inside the campus’s black box meeting room.
The community group spearheading the project is asking for input on efforts to transform the school’s old metal shop into a modern facility designed for the next generation of contractors and tradesmen in Healdsburg.
Conceptual plans call for a flexible workplace suited for small groups of students learning trade skills relevant to real-world construction. “Instead of having a student build a birdhouse, let’s have them build a wall,” said community organizer Ray Holley.
Holley envisions a shop complete with a computer lab, mock-up areas for group projects and a wide variety of tools and machines that will allow students to learn different skill sets and techniques.
The community group is partnering with the Healdsburg Unified School District to launch the program next fall. Holley hopes to have the final drawings for the renovated shop finished by the end of the calendar year and a budget. He then plans to begin fund-raising to pay for materials. Local contractors have already offered to donate their time to build it.
While the community group irons out the details on the new shop, high school vice-principal Matt Myers is drafting course descriptions for the program’s new classes. The program will include a class on construction technology and a second in environmental science relevant to tradesman.
“This will be a green construction technology program,” explained Myers. “Students will get an overview of global warming and renewable energy. While learning about insulation in one class they’ll be learning about the importance of reducing fossil fuels in the other.”
Once the courses are approved by the school board the biggest challenge begins: finding the right teacher to lead the modern shop program. “The teacher has to have a bachelor’s degree and experience in the field of construction,” said Myers. “They’ll need a vocational credential, which requires five years in the field. We’d like to find that person within the community, but we also want to find the right person for the job.”
Holley believes that the right teacher will not only be proficient, but also a magnet who will build the program into, hopefully, a full-blown academy. “We need a charismatic, energetic teacher who will draw kids to the program,” he said. “I hope this program will become as popular as some of the marquee programs here, like football, theater and ag.”
And, most importantly, Holley wants the program to be relevant. He’s surveyed Healdsburg tradesman asking what skills should be taught in high school. He was surprised to find that many “soft skills”—like showing up to work on time, wearing professional attire and eating breakfast before work—were some of the most popular responses.
He’s also preparing a focus group of young builders in the area to discuss what skills and lessons they found most valuable in high school and early in their careers.
For information on how you can support the plans for the new program contact Ray Holley at 206-1867 or healdsburgshop@gmail.com.
The community group spearheading the project is asking for input on efforts to transform the school’s old metal shop into a modern facility designed for the next generation of contractors and tradesmen in Healdsburg.
Conceptual plans call for a flexible workplace suited for small groups of students learning trade skills relevant to real-world construction. “Instead of having a student build a birdhouse, let’s have them build a wall,” said community organizer Ray Holley.
Holley envisions a shop complete with a computer lab, mock-up areas for group projects and a wide variety of tools and machines that will allow students to learn different skill sets and techniques.
The community group is partnering with the Healdsburg Unified School District to launch the program next fall. Holley hopes to have the final drawings for the renovated shop finished by the end of the calendar year and a budget. He then plans to begin fund-raising to pay for materials. Local contractors have already offered to donate their time to build it.
While the community group irons out the details on the new shop, high school vice-principal Matt Myers is drafting course descriptions for the program’s new classes. The program will include a class on construction technology and a second in environmental science relevant to tradesman.
“This will be a green construction technology program,” explained Myers. “Students will get an overview of global warming and renewable energy. While learning about insulation in one class they’ll be learning about the importance of reducing fossil fuels in the other.”
Once the courses are approved by the school board the biggest challenge begins: finding the right teacher to lead the modern shop program. “The teacher has to have a bachelor’s degree and experience in the field of construction,” said Myers. “They’ll need a vocational credential, which requires five years in the field. We’d like to find that person within the community, but we also want to find the right person for the job.”
Holley believes that the right teacher will not only be proficient, but also a magnet who will build the program into, hopefully, a full-blown academy. “We need a charismatic, energetic teacher who will draw kids to the program,” he said. “I hope this program will become as popular as some of the marquee programs here, like football, theater and ag.”
And, most importantly, Holley wants the program to be relevant. He’s surveyed Healdsburg tradesman asking what skills should be taught in high school. He was surprised to find that many “soft skills”—like showing up to work on time, wearing professional attire and eating breakfast before work—were some of the most popular responses.
He’s also preparing a focus group of young builders in the area to discuss what skills and lessons they found most valuable in high school and early in their careers.
For information on how you can support the plans for the new program contact Ray Holley at 206-1867 or healdsburgshop@gmail.com.
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