Parent Letter (PDF file)
Wood shop is great fun, and a practical introduction into a possible career. Students learn basic skills in planning, assembling, and finishing wood projects. The class includes many different levels of woodworkers. It is designed as a "hands on learning" class in that students learn mostly by doing. Critical thinking skills are used daily.
The number one word in the shop is SAFETY ! Our machines are fine quality, industrial strength woodworking tools. They are very powerful, which helps if you are trying to cut something as hard as wood. That is the blessing side. The down side is that these same tools can injure someone in a split second. Injuries can be serious.
Because of the injury potential, we spend a lot of time going over how the machines work, the safety rules, and give a safety test. Unless everybody in the class passes the safety test, nobody is allowed to go to work.
Parents and students alike might ask if this class is safe. I believe it is, but only if the rules are followed ! Almost every injury that I have seen results from the violation of a rule that was on the safety test. The shop has a history of very few injuries. Keep your eyes open, know the rules, and if you don't know how to use a tool or do some operation, ask before proceeding.
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