FOLLOWUP: Wood-shop class has reprieve for now, students say

You might recall our story one week ago about Chief Sealth International High School students circulating petitions to get support for keeping CSIHS’s wood-shop class. The spokesperson for the group, Jennifer [at right in our photo], sent an update today, saying the program has a reprieve for now: “Yesterday the teachers voted not to approve the budget that eliminated wood shop. If the district says that the school has to take the budget, then they could still eliminate wood shop.” We’re following up further to try to find out more about what happens next, and when.

Mike March 17, 2016 (8:27 pm)

Whether or not these students end up in the TRADES, the knowledge and skills learned in shop classes will add value to their education.

JanS March 17, 2016 (8:34 pm)

YAY…go Girl Power !

Mikey March 17, 2016 (9:45 pm)

all industrial arts courses are an extreme value to our future. Not every student will be a Doctor, Lawyer or Astronaut. Somebody has to stay home, turn the wrenches, build/repair your houses. Eliminating your Industrial Arts courses is akin to “Shooting Yourself In The Foot” !!!???

captainDave March 17, 2016 (10:17 pm)

Society is becoming practically helpless. Hardly anyone knows how to fix or make things anymore. We can’t rely on China and Mexico forever. Good luck to you girls! Having practical knowledge will give you so many more options in life.

LyndaB March 17, 2016 (11:06 pm)

I took wood shop and metal shop at Madison Middle School. It was great! I remember our class working together to move lumber so we could make our cutring boards and then the following quarter taking sheet metal and making them into little boxes.

TheKing March 18, 2016 (6:42 am)

Getting rid of shop classes is a reflection of the U.S. today, we are a country full of brokers who don’t build anything. Or even know how. Regionally we have Boeing and Kenworth, but across the board there is a lot less manufacturing going on.

Parent March 18, 2016 (7:28 am)

There’s plenty of academic learning to do in shop class. It’s math and physics in action. And done right, it allows for artistry. The planning process encourages independent thinking and problem-solving skills. Taking away the few opportunities offered to our teens for this type of meaningful learning is wrong. I’ve seen the work that comes out of Sealth’s little shop, and appreciated how empowered my daughter was by the instruction. Once the shop is shut down, it will be very costly to reopen. Once you lose this quality teacher, it will be nearly impossible to replace her. I hope the school battles for this class and this teacher.

wsea98116 March 18, 2016 (1:43 pm)

..Math and Physics in action!

It certainly is- well stated, Parent!

Poultine March 18, 2016 (10:13 pm)

Even if you ARE a doctor or lawyer, at some point you’re going to need a use a wrench and screwdriver to get something done at home. I’m a white collar worker, but knowing how to build simple things is a huge source of satisfaction to me.

TBH, teaching kids how to repair a hole in the wall or stop a leaky faucet would probably be more useful than the average shop project. Nowhere near as fun or rewarding, though.

wsea98116 March 19, 2016 (2:10 am)

I don’t think it’s so much about whether you become a tradesman or an accountant, or about woodworking- it’s about working with your hands and learning to create. The critical thinking that goes into physically making an object, and discovering- you can do it! I don’t need to be taught how to fix a leaky faucet, because I can figure out how to do it (or fix pretty much anything) myself. It always cracks me up when I see successful, seemingly in control people, completely helpless and at the mercy of others, to fix minor issues around their homes.

CSIHS Parent March 19, 2016 (5:05 pm)

Word is, Chief Sealth had to cut about $100,000 from its 2016-17 budget. The decision came done to choosing between keeping its International Baccalaureate coordinator (necessary to maintain the IB program) and part of a social worker position (necessary to provide support to at-risk students) OR cut woodshop (necessary for all the reasons previous commenters have shared). Our school should not have to decide between valuable programs and services that have a direct impact on students’ college and/or career readiness. Time to call or email the school board members and Superintendent Nyland.

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