Principal's Forum November 23 at BFA Fairfax High School 6:00 p.m.

[BFA Principal Clark]

I placed this article in the November Fairfax News  but I also wanted people who use this site to see it too.  Sorry it is longer than most articles on this site but I think the readers will find the information helpful.

This fall we began looking at the best way to use the old industrial arts space.  A school committee was formed in September and received input from students and some community members.  After exploring several possibilities for the space, the committee is ready to move to the next stage of planning.  The first step is to present the committee’s draft plan to the community and provide an opportunity for input about the plan.

The Background
Two years ago when the long time industrial arts teacher retired, the position was advertised.  The hiring committee at time did everything it could to fill the position. However, no suitable candidates were available to be hired.  Last year when the budget was very tight (and there were still no suitable candidates), the funding for the industrial arts position was removed from the budget.  After contacting the Vermont Department of Education this year, I discovered that there are only 125 licensed industrial arts teachers in the state of Vermont.  To put this into perspective, there are over 290 school districts, 67 high schools and 21 regional technical education centers in Vermont.

The industrial arts classes offered students opportunities to learn in a hands on way and allowed them to see the results of their work right away.  Learning in this way is very important for some students; our challenge as a school is to ensure that students with this type of learning style have opportunities to learn this way in all of their classes.  The industrial arts classes also provided opportunities for students to use power tools and to develop skills and confidence with them.  We may need to redesign some classes so that students can still access the small hand held power tools to develop these skills and confidence.  Perhaps we may do this with an algebra only Action Physics class. 

Last spring and summer I began talking with the VT Woodworking School (which is only 4 miles down the road from school) about ways students who are really interested in developing woodworking skills can access their programs.  One thought is that the VT Wood Working School might be able to come to the high school and teach a short workshop (a couple of days) about wood inlay to all Art 1 students.  I need to continue these conversations and work with the VT Woodworking School ensure that our students have access to these kinds of classes.

The Plan   The committee’s plan is convert the space into a “Community Fitness Center” and Art Room.  A fitness center serves the school well.  Children in today’s world generally do not get enough exercise.  A fitness center would help all students to learn about exercise equipment and would create opportunities for students to develop healthy exercise habits.  Additionally, our students who participate in athletic co-curriculars would have expanded access to strength and aerobic training.  This improved access would likely result in more competitive teams with students who are less likely to be injured in the season.  If a student athlete did suffer an injury, it could also provide appropriate equipment to rehabilitate the injury.  The fitness center would have equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, elliptical trainers, strength training machines, and free weights.
   If there was interest, the community could also have access to the fitness center much like they do with the community library.  One possibility would be to work with the town recreation  department to have the fitness center open in the morning before school say from 6 – 8 a.m. and again in the evenings from 5-10 p.m.  When the fitness center was not available to the community, it would be reserved for use by school children in their PE classes and co-curricular teams. 

   By moving the High School Art room to the industrial arts room, we gain flexibility with the Art program and help to revitalize that part of the building.  We could build a small graphics computer lab attached to the art room in which students could learn about the digital arts.  Students have expressed an interest in having a dark room so they could learn about black and white photography.  The old art room could be reconfigured to be used appropriately by the middle school.

   Funding for this project could be done primarily through grants and stimulus monies.
 
   We will hold a community forum to present our ideas in detail and to receive feedback from the community on November 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Driver’s Education Room (we will have signs to point you in the right direction).  Please RSVP so that we can have materials for you, by calling Carol Stanley at 849-6711.  I look forward to seeing you there.

[slpott]

This would be wonderful. I know that we would use the gym. I also think it would be a good hang out for the kids giving them a healthy option. It is nice to know that these things are in the works. Thank you

[Henry]

If there was interest, the community could also have access to the fitness center much like they do with the community library.  One possibility would be to work with the town recreation  department to have the fitness center open in the morning before school say from 6 – 8 a.m. and again in the evenings from 5-10 p.m.  When the fitness center was not available to the community, it would be reserved for use by school children in their PE classes and co-curricular teams. 

Not sure how much I would use it, but certainly would welcome the opportunity as perhaps many others in the community would.  You can go to the Gym, but that not only cost money to belong, it also cost money for gas to get there.

[Chris Santee]

The commute sounds good to me.

[Chris Santee]

bump

[Loctavious]

What Chris - you couldn't even get warmed up with that commute/walk. 

[BFA Principal Clark]

I’d like to thank the community members that came to the forum tonight.  I appreciate all the input.  Based on the feedback to the ideas for the space I’ll be moving forward.  Again I thank the community for its support.

[Henry]

Principal Clark, Please keep us updated on what is happening.  I normally delete events after they happen, but will leave this one up under upcoming events due to the updates.

[3plusk]

Thank you Mr. Clark for your presentation last night. It's obvious you have spent much time on the idea of a fitness center. Sad only 8 people came & just a response how to keep people informed may be a community mailing much like the one for the budget input (would have been there but was at a class sponsored by our supervisory union!) Although I'm not for/against this idea, I'd just like to say it's too bad more people don't come to forums like this to give input -either for/against- rather than sitting back then complaining later! I have shared your ideas with a few so far, helping get the word out & let each come to own conclusion & express own opinion. Eventhough not supporting nor against, last night I again see how you are such a fair man, listening & encouraging everyone to speak so I just have to again say, I am so glad to have you here in Fairfax!! Thank you for the meeting!!!

[David Shea]

Mike,

Nice job trying to improve our school and our community!  Many times it is easier to just maintain the status quo than to stick you neck out and try something different.

I was very surprised to see how the space is currently being used.  The 4000 square feet of space should be made available for a purpose other than the storage of unused equipment, stage props and paperwork.

This is valuable real estate in our school and should be used in a productive manner.

Thanks for "Sticking your neck out"

Dave

[greenek]

I was unable to make the meeting the other night, as I was participating in fitness boot camp at the school around the same time that the meeting was being held. I would welcome the opportunity for a community fitness center. Thanks for taking the initiative in coming up with a creative way of promoting fitness for all of the community.

Kevin