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Construction
        Page 10                                                                                                Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com


                    Built for Success: Construction is Growing in Elk Mound

                                                                                high school career endeavors.      walls/stairs/roofs,  to  finish  work  like  vinyl
                                                                                   The construction program also has been   siding, metal work like soffits and door instal-
                                                                                able to take a field trip to Build My Future Wis-  lations, plus more. Each year the program is
                                                                                consin that is offered at the St. Croix County   getting stronger, with more learning opportu-
                                                                                Fairgrounds in Glenwood City. All students in   nities for students to succeed in if they choose
                                                                                construction were in attendance and this was   this for a career.
                                                                                open to 9-12 grade students in our Technology   Projects we have done include:
                                                                                and Engineering classes offered at Elk Mound.   •  Stair and deck framing.  We built 5 of
                                                                                Our school had 90 students in attendance, and   them in class to be delivered and used
                                                                                we took two full buses to the event. The Build   locally.
                                                                                My Future  Wisconsin event allows for stu-  •  We also are building a storage shed that
                                                                                dents to have a hands-on and very interactive   is 8' x 8' with a pull-down door in the
                                                                                experience in the construction field. Students   front for a local community member.
                                                                                have  the  entire  fairground to explore  topics
                                                                                like framing, electrical, concrete, tree trim-  •  We even had a chance  to have  a local
                                                                                ming, related welding, and much, much more.   contractor  come  demonstrate  how to
                                                                                Students pick what displays, equipment opera-  pour stamped concrete  “cookies”.  We
                                                                                tions, and learning labs they want to explore.   had industry speakers come in to talk
                                                                                Students even get a chance to talk to people   to the class about industry demands and
                                                                                in  the  field  to  network  with  industry  repre-  what it is like to run your own company.
                                                                                sentatives,  tech  schools,  and  apprenticeship/  I am so thankful  for all  of the support
        Bill Steinke                        teaching, this has been a class I have taught   journeymen.  They were even given a shirt   given  to  the  program  by the  college,  local
        Elk Mound Area School District      my entire career. Construction is a semester   (neon green) to been seen clearly at the event   industry/community partners, and our support-
             The construction program at Elk Mound   class and in the past, we offered the class once   and as well as other goodies they gathered   ive district that wants to see students engage
        has been growing and continues to see student   a year. This year we have had a high level of   from vendors.  and flourish as they explore the many career
        engagement  at high levels. My name is Bill   interest with two sections. The fall class had   In our construction  program,  students   opportunities in the construction field.
        Steinke, and I am the construction teacher at   16 students and the spring semester  has 10   will get to learn the basics to more advanced
        Elk Mound High School. This is my second   students enrolled, grades 10-12th. We have an   concepts in construction. For example students
        year at Elk Mound, but I am in my 22nd year of   agreement with a nearby technical college for   will learn to measure accurately, general blue-
        teaching, and it never gets old to see students   all of these students to receive a transcripted   print reading, power tool operations, potential   www.elkmound.k12.wi.us
        wanting to explore and learn about a topic like   college credit. This has been very exciting to   careers,  and dimension  lumber  to more
        construction in class. Other than my first year   see our students get a head start on their post   advanced concepts like estimating,  framing

                    Bridges Construction & Renovation

                                                                                carpentry, floor framing systems and build-  basement. 1164 Day Street is 1362 sq ft with
                                                                                ing codes.                         all rooms on the first floor. The basement is
                                                                                   Bridges students also have the opportu-  completely unfinished, but an egress window
                                                                                nity to receive OSHA 10 certification. OSHA   was installed so a future owner could add addi-
                                                                                is the Occupational Safety and Health Admin-  tional living space in the basement.
                                                                                istration, and is responsible for worker safety   For  the  2022–23  school  year,  Bridges
                                                                                and health protection.             students worked on two new home builds,
                                                                                   Upon  completion  of  the  program,  stu-  including a house at 421 4th St. in Green Bay
                                                                                dents are prepared for an apprenticeship,   in partnership  with NeighborWorks Green
                                                                                future education and in-demand careers such   Bay. The site was previously a vacant lot.
                                                                                as architecture, construction, engineering and   The  new  single  family  home  has  three
                                                                                the military.                      bedrooms and two baths.  The students built
                                                                                   Beyond skills building, the program pro-  a  24'  x  24'  detached  garage.  Students  will
                                                                                vides an opportunity for students to make a   worked  on  the  floor,  walls,  framing,  siding,
                                                                                positive impact on their community by build-  roofing  and  finished  carpentry  of  the  home.
                                                                                ing and renovating safe, affordable housing.  Because these homes have a smaller footprint,
                                                                                   For the 2024-25 school year, Bridges stu-  students had the opportunity to do more roof
                                                                                dents are working on a new home build at 929   framing, most of the drywall, and most of the
                                                                                N Broadway on Green Bay’s west side and a   finished carpentry.
                                                                                new home at the corner of Irwin and Walnut   If you have any questions about Bridges
                                                                                Streets on Green Bay’s east side, in partner-  Construction & Renovation,  call  West High
            Bridges Construction  & Renovation  is   the application  of carpentry, masonry, home
        an educational pathway within the Green Bay   wiring, plumbing and architectural design.  ship with NeighborWorks Green Bay.  School  at  (920)  492-2600  or  email  Chris
        Area Public School District that offers stu-  Throughout the one-year Bridges  Past Projects:              Ziegler cjziegler@gbaps.org.
        dents a community-based, hands-on learning   program,  students  work  together  to  com-  For the 2023-24 school year, Bridges stu-  Bridges Construction & Renovation
        experience in the construction and renovation   plete a  hands-on  project,  attending class   dents built new home builds at 1162 and 1164   website: https://west.gbaps.org/quick-
        industries.                         at  West High School for approximately   Day Street on Green Bay’s east side, in part-  links/bridges-construction-renovation
            Students work  with professional con-  two days per week and working on-site for   nership with NeighborWorks Green Bay.
        tractors to learn about structural design,   three hours a day for three days per week.   Both homes are three bedroom, two
        building  safety,  blueprint  reading,  rough   Students earn three high school elective   bathroom homes. 1162 Day Street is 1391 sq
        and  finish  construction,  modern  design  and   credits and five credits from a local techni-  ft, including a bedroom and bathroom in the   www.gbaps.org
        home improvements.  Students also explore   cal college in the areas of introduction to
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