CANTON — Superintendent Jill Rossetti and Construction Technology Instructor David Blakeley are pleased to announce that Blue Hills Regional Construction Technology students will begin deck construction at a home in Dedham this month.
Junior and senior Construction Technology students will begin construction at the home on Avery Street in Dedham beginning Monday, April 5.
This project was chosen by Blue Hills for Construction Technology students to participate in after the homeowners inquired about students at Blue Hills completing the project.
“After we were contacted by the homeowners, Superintendent Rosetti and I visited the home to determine if the project they proposed aligned with our school curriculum,” Blakeley said. “The scope of work would entail students demolishing a previously existing deck that wasn’t constructed in compliance with current codes and then constructing a new deck in its place. We decided that this project would be a good learning experience for our students and give them hands-on construction work to perform.”
The homeowners’ deck plans were then submitted to Superintendent Rosetti and Vocational Director Michelle Sylvia and approved by the School Committee.
To begin the project, students first did a material takeoff to determine what materials will be needed to complete the project. Following this assessment, students then began the demolition process on March 22.
During the demolition process, students determined that throwing away all of the previously existing pressure-treated material in a dumpster would be a waste of resources. As such, students methodically dismantled the existing deck in order to save as much material as possible to repurpose or reuse at the site.
With demolition completed, students will begin construction on Monday. Students will be at the construction site on alternating weeks and are expected to be at the site every day, weather permitting.
Additionally, with the remaining pressure-treated material, students plan to re-furbish a pre-existing single-story garage that is adjacent to the deck and falling down.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of April.
“Projects such as this one provide our students with the hands-on experience they need to excel in their future careers in construction,” Superintendent Rosetti said. “I look forward to seeing their completed deck and refurbished garage at the end of their project.”
To learn more about the opportunities and programs offered at Blue Hills Regional Technical School, visit www.bluehills.org.
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