| VBCPS
has been selected as the state winner for the National
Civic Star Award and was recognized as a leader among the nation's
best education systems in promoting academic achievement through school
and community partnerships at the American Association of School Administrator's
National Conference in San Francisco in Feb. 2004. The VBCPS entry
was the Building Futures House Construction project
The
VBCPS House Project, a partnership between the Technical and Career
Education Center and VB Contractors and other area businesses, was
one of only 33 such winners nationally. Sponsored by the American
Association of School Administrators (AASA) and Sodexho USA’s
School Services Division, the award program recognizes outstanding
community involvement initiatives across the nation that enrich education.
The house construction
project involves Technical and Career Education Center juniors and
seniors in building houses from the ground up. Not only do building
trades students learn skills on the job, but they also have the opportunity
to participate in problem solving scenarios and real world challenges
and to be mentored by professionals in the field.
Supported
by the Virginia Beach Public Schools Education Foundation, the Building
Futures House Construction Project was initiated in 1991 in response
to student need for hands on training in an actual work setting. According
to Tech Center teacher and project coordinator Tony Pawlowski, over
the years almost 600 TCE students in conjunction with more than 100
community partners have collaborated on designing, building, marketing,
and selling four houses in the Virginia Beach community.
| |
VB
Contractors has served as the lead partner for the project,
designing the architectural and site plans and assisting with
project coordination. Chris Ettel, President of VB Contractors,
says, “We’re a custom home building and remodeling
company in Virginia Beach, and we are committed to improving
the skilled work force in the residential building industry.
|
We’re
proud to partner with the VBCPS Technical and Career Education Center
and provide their teachers and students with hands-on learning experiences.
This project is an excellent example of the community partnering with
the school system to promote work force development."
More than $100,000
of donated materials, cash, and services from community business partners
have gone into the four houses the students have constructed. A fifth
house, near the beach, is now under construction, and one lot awaits
groundbreaking. Profits from the house sales have been reinvested
in the VBPS Education Foundation.
Wayne Sykes, Director
of the Technical and Career Education Center, points out, “This
school-community effort illustrates the potential for positive impacts
on students, teachers, and the public when there is a coordinated
effort between schools and business partners.” For
more information on the Civic Star Award, the Building Futures House
Construction Project, or additional VBCPS community involvement initiatives,
contact Laynee Timlin,
Director, Office of Community
Relations at 427-4641
|
Additional
Contributing Business Partners Include...
Accent Kitchens
Artisans Painting
BB&T
Coldwell Banker Helfant
Realty
Cox Communications
Falcon Construction
The Joyce Agency
Kempsville Building Materials
Mosaic Construction
Mr. Comfort
Norfolk Wire & Electronics
Ornamental Tile
Overhead Door Company
Porter Blaine Corporation
Renaissance Outdoor
Contracting
Sherry, Inc.
Sign Works
Stanford’s Carpet and Tile
Taylor’s-Do-It Center |
