Central High School

As some of you know, our school is now hosting an exploratory course from United Technology Center. I know many of our alumni have lamented the loss of our shop program, but I am happy to tell you it is back! UTC has funded a renovation of the shop space, refinishing the floors, adding new lighting, and painting the walls. It looks fantastic! On top of that, they have purchased lots of tools, cabinetry, small engines, horticulture equipment, 3D Printers, Glowforge 3D Laser Printers and materials to give our 9th and 10th grade students the opportunity to get a flavor for what their experience at UTC might look like when they are juniors and seniors. In addition they have hired Mr. Doug Depew to lead this program and he has done an amazing job so far.

The cover picture for this story is of the outdoor learning space they have created in the pines, utilizing some discarded graninte blocks that have lain out there for the last two years (and likely more). They have modified drainage outside the shop to allow for rainwater diversion, helped assemble and work on school desks in teacher rooms

Another great example of their work so far was installing french drains outside the shop to divert rainwater runoff away from the entrances to the shop. The students excavated a trench and instaalled grating and pipe to move water to the end of the building.

Mr Depew has many other plans in store for these students and as winter comes on, most of their work will likely move into the shop. Congratulations to Mr Depew, his students, and thanks to UTC for helping bring this great opportunity to our students.

-Dr. Mayfield