By James Robinson

Students in the Chimacum Schools Construction Trades Program are learning valuable trade skills while giving back to the community.

“What we do at the school should create a ripple in our school and in the community beyond,” said Daniel Evans, program instructor.

Evans delivered this message to school board members during a presentation and tour of his classroom on March 13.

“Last year we partnered with the Community Boat Project,” Evans said, and this year, his class has a tiny house project underway and is building animal shelters for Center Valley Animal Rescue.

Evans said, while students build plenty of cutting boards, he and his students also strive to create “projects of meaning.”

Kailee Hirschel, a ninth grader and first-year student in the program, is building a rabbit hutch for the Quilcene-based animal rescue organization.

Hirschel created the vision, drafted plans and worked with Evans to bring her vision to life. She said the project has been challenging yet rewarding.

“This was my first really big project and I’ve been super excited about it since the beginning,” Hirschel said. “Knowing that it is going to a good cause is one of the best things about this class.”

In addition to the rabbit hutch, students are building a cougar enclosure and other structures that are also destined for the animal rescue organization.

“My favorite thing about the program is how the teacher helps the students use their artistic creativity, instead of a bunch of assigned projects,” said Sitka Vicha, an 11th-grader and second-year student.

Evans said, in addition to helping students channel their innate creativity, he also works to help them develop leadership skills, community mindedness, and a work ethic. Students learn skills required for all construction trades such as measuring, proper use of hand and power tools, reading plans, OSHA compliance, framing, and finish joinery. They also learn project management skills such as planning, time management, flexibility, adaptability, perseverance, and self-control.

Participating students work toward a certificate approved by Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), recognized by industry leaders across the state, Evans said.

“It’s building, just like you’d find in any shop,” Evans said, adding that the skills learned in his classroom can be applied to life beyond high school.

Last year, Evans said students partnered with the Community Boat Project to build a Rubb Shelter behind the high school’s wood shop. The shelter is a relocatable tent-like structure used in the construction industry as well as emergency situations. Evans said the shelter can be used to build tiny homes and studios, and any number of larger projects.

Evans is preparing to launch a cabinet-making project that can be used to outfit tiny homes.

“This space slowly changes every day, but it gets better every year,” Evans said. “We try to create a greater impact.”