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R-NEW House 2004
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R-NEW House Getting Ready for Sale

 

The Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin House Project house near Crivitz is in the final phases of construction by students from Crivitz and Wabeno High Schools. The year-long project is on schedule for completion leading to an open house set for Tuesday, May 25, 2004.

 

Custom oak cabinets, built by Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s (NWTC) Cabinetry program, and oak trim have been installed with the help of NWTC Adjunct Instructor Curt Anderson. Project instructor Warren McKenney has been guiding students through siding and exterior trim.

 

As the house gains its final appearance, plans have already been set in motion for the sale of the house. Doug Wagner, Real Estate, Inc., of Marinette will be the broker. The price of the home is currently set at $164,900.

 

The house is nestled in a beautiful wooded lot 13 miles west of Crivitz just south of County X off Deer Lake Road on Natures Trail. A few of the features of the home include 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, front porch, rear deck, and a jet tub in the master bath. There are also vaulted ceilings and dormers filtering natural light into the living room, dining room, kitchen, and master bedroom areas. NWTC’s Electricity program designed and installed not only regular electrical wiring but, video and data wiring as well.

 

Persons interested in learning more about the house are encouraged to contact project coordinator John Knickerbocker at 920-855-2114, extension 227 or by e-mail at knickerb@cesa8.k12.wi.us.


 

R-NEW House Makes Progress on Home/Careers

 

As Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin (R-NEW) House Project students make good progress in building a home, they are also building careers and futures for themselves. In a few cases, they are rebuilding lives as well.

In its second year, the R-NEW House Project is a collaborative effort to give high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore and train for careers in construction and related trades. Students receive about 2 hours of training each day with each school providing a “shift.” They earn both local high school credit and technical college credit through NWTC. They also receive a certificate from NWTC to note the skills the have acquired. 

“The impact on students has been tremendous,” says CESA 8 educational coordinator John Knickerbocker. “Between the two schools, we have a interesting cross-section of students. Over the past two years, we’ve had high achieving students, average students, low achieving students, at-risk students, special needs students, and last year some young ladies were involved. The project has shown it can help all these kinds of students gain greater focus in learning, acquire marketable skills, and in a few cases, it has turned potential drop-outs into high school graduates looking to further their education. What more can you ask of schools?” Knickerbocker credits much of the success of the program to the Wabeno and Crivitz school districts “for having the foresight and courage" to invest shrinking local funds in R-NEW House, and to NWTC for the instructional support.

The 3-bedroom modified ranch design is being built in the Medicine Brook Subdivision on Natures Trail Road, located about 13 miles west of Crivitz 1/3 mile south of County X on Deer Lake Road. It features 2 full bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, 3-stall garage, front porch, rear deck, American Disability Act accessibility, and more.

This year’s partners in the project are Wabeno’s and Crivitz’s school districts, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), Marinette County Association for Business and Industry (MCABI) Inc., Community Services of Northeast Wisconsin (CSNEW) Inc., and Cooperative Educational Service Agency 8 (CESA 8). This group developed the program in response to a 1999 study of construction and manufacturing employers in Northeast Wisconsin.

Associated Bank, Community Bank, Stephenson National Bank and Trust, and F & M BANK, all of Oconto, provided funding for last year’s project. Oconto County Economic Development Corporation arranged the collaborative financing effort.  This year’s funding comes from Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust of Marinette through CSNEW, with Bay Title and Abstract providing fiscal services for construction.

The project has also seen local businesses assist in providing donations of materials, labor, and assistance in teaching students various skills. Crivitz Lumber, CenturyTel, Richlen Concrete, Wisconsin Public Service, A & M Heating & A/C Inc. of Wausaukee, Jim’s Septic and Pumping Service, Morin & Johnson Well Drilling and Pump of Niagara, and even Milwaukee Electric Tool Company have all assisted in the project in one way or another. With flooring, landscaping, and other phases of construction still ahead, Knickerbocker anticipates other companies will step forward to support the program.

Persons interested in learning more about the project, or who are interested in getting involved in the project as a donor are encouraged to contact John Knickerbocker through the CESA 8 office in Gillett at 920-855-2114, extension 227, or by visiting the CESA 8 web site at www.cesa8.k12.wi.us and clicking on “R-NEW House.”
R-NEW House students learn to use hoists and other equipment to secure sheetrock panels on the vaulted ceiling over the kitchen area.

The R-NEW House Project, nestled in a beautiful wooded lot, awaits the three dormers that will accent the roofline and provide nature light to the interior.

After practicing on small panels, R-NEW House students apply their newly learned sheetrock finishing skills on a bedroom wall.
 

R-New House 2002-2003



Nestled on a ridge overlooking Lakewood, R-NEW House is a perfect spot for watch sunrises on the front porch and sunsets on the deck in back. Some fortunate people will get quite a bargain on this home with light filtering dormers, cathedral ceilings, jet tub in the master bath, and much more.
 

R-NEW House Recognized by State Organization

 

The Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin (R-NEW) House Project received an award as the “School-to-Work Project of the Year” from the Wisconsin Association for Leadership in Education and Work (WALEW). At a special luncheon held in Manitowoc on August 4th, District Administrators Rick Huisman of Wabeno and Charles Poches of Crivitz accepted the award on behalf of their schools and the partnering organizations. Cooperating partners for the 2002-03 school year, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Oconto County Economic Development Corporation, and CESA 8, also received recognition for their parts in the project.

 

R-NEW House completed their first house in Lakewood during this past school year. Eighteen students from Crivitz and Wabeno High Schools participated in the construction skills training program. In addition to the practical experience, students received high school elective credit, 13 technical college credits, and a certificate from NWTC.

 

Associated Bank, Community Bank, Stephenson National Bank and Trust, and F & M BANK, all of Oconto, funded this past year’s project. Many other businesses assisted in the project involved providing materials and services, as well as helping teach students about various phases of home construction. “It’s been kind of like the old movie, “Field of Dreams,” says CESA 8’s R-NEW House Educational Coordinator, “ Build it and they will come. In our case, we started to build the house and all kinds of people pitched in. That’s real education, schools and business working together for everyone’s benefit.”

 

The R-NEW House Program will be starting their second project in the High Falls area near Crivitz. Persons interested in learning more about the project are encouraged to contact John Knickerbocker through the CESA 8 office in Gillett at 920-855-2114, extension 227, or by visiting the CESA 8 web site at www.cesa8.k12.wi.us and clicking on “R-NEW House.”

 

 District Administrators Charles Poches (left) and Rick Huisman (right) are congratulated by WALEW President Rose Ellinger at ceremonies held in Manitowoc on August 4th, 2003.

Associate Dean of Agriculture and Service Trades Don Jaworski and NWTC Regional Coordinator Amy Chastek receive congratulations on their participation in the R-NEW House Project from
WALEW President Rose Ellinger
 

R-NEW House Project Seeks Site for 2nd Year

Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin (R-NEW) House Project students are busy finishing construction on their house in Lakewood, getting it ready for sale. While the current home is being completed, planners are already seeking a site to build next year. Program planners are hoping to procure a building site near the High Falls or Silver Cliff areas west of Crivitz to keep it somewhat central to both Wabeno and Crivitz School Districts for transportation purposes. Contacts have already been made with many realtors serving the Crivitz area, but organizers are open to all possibilities to secure a good building site. Tentatively, the plan is to use the same design as the Lakewood house, a 3-bedroom modified ranch-style with two bathrooms and a 3-stall garage. The next home will be placed on the open market for sale upon completion in May of 2004. Like this year, any proceeds realized through the project will be reinvested to continue the program.

The current project was started this past August as a collaborative effort to train high school students in residential building skills by constructing a house. Eighteen high school students (15 young men and 3 young women) are learning residential construction skills from a general contractor hired as an instructor by Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC). The post-secondary connection has meant students will receive technical college credit in addition to a certificate of instruction and high school elective credits. Their educational experience is not just wood, hammers and nails. Students learn and apply geometry, algebra, technical reading and communications skills, as well as employability skills such as teamwork, goal setting and planning, and leadership.

The program was initiated in response to construction industry demands for more skilled workers. The partners in this year’s venture are Crivitz and Wabeno School Districts, NWTC, Oconto County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC), and Cooperative Education Service Agency #8 (CESA 8). Moving to the Crivitz area, the 2003-2004 project will be in Marinette County, where Marinette County Association for Business & Industry will likely join the R-NEW House planning team.

R-NEW House Project students have been able to receive instruction in skills outside basic carpentry due to the generous contributions of a number of sub-contractors. Gem Heating and Sheet Metal Inc. and Jerry’s Custom Floors (both of Lakewood) are two of the businesses that not only supplied items for the house, but also took the time to teach students the skills related to their businesses. Other businesses have helped make sure the project is a success through different types of donations. Examples of private business pitching in are Pintsch’s Hardware of Townsend providing materials at substantial discounts, Jerry’s Crane Service hoisting trusses for gas money only, and Bartels Real Estate of Lakewood making a lot available at a significantly reduced price. Even internationally known Milwaukee Electric Tool Company got involved by donating 30 power tools to the project. It is hoped this type of generosity can be realized in the Crivitz area as the project begins its second year on a new site.

Persons interested in learning more about the R-NEW House Program are encouraged to contact CESA 8 Local Vocational Education Coordinator John Knickerbocker at 920-855-2114, extension 227, or via e-mail at knickerb@cesa8.k12.wi.us <mailto:knickerb@cesa8.k12.wi.us .
 

 

 An R-NEW House student puts a final coat of finish on a closet organizer

R-NEW House Breaks Ground
 

After three years of hard work, now the “real” work begins for the Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin House Program. Groundbreaking for the house-building project took place on Thursday, August 8th at the Brer Fox subdivision site just east of Lakewood. The project is a cooperative effort between the school districts of Wabeno and Crivitz, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation, and Cooperative Educational Service Agency 8 (CESA 8). All indications are this is the first time in Wisconsin that two or more rural school districts have collaborated to train students in residential construction skills.

 

This is the first of what is hoped to be as many as four separate house-building programs aimed at providing a well-rounded construction experience for high school juniors and seniors. Students will get training and/or experience in everything from site selection to concrete work to landscaping. Graduates of the project will receive both high school and technical college credit for their work. Students will be able to use the program as a steppingstone to further their education through NWTC, or enter directly into the construction trades.

 

For more information on the R-NEW House Program, you are encouraged to contact John Knickerbocker at the CESA 8 office. His numbers are 920-855-2114, extension 227 or 800-831-6391, extension 227. Or, he may be reached by e-mail at knickerb@cesa8.k12.wi.us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Oconto County Board, Wabeno School Board, NWTC, Oconto County Economic Development Corporation, and CESA 8 “dig” into the groundbreaking task for the new Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin House Program.


 

R-NEW House Program Unique in State

Selected students from Wabeno and Crivitz High Schools are hard at work learning and applying math, communications, and technology education skills by building a house. What makes this project unique is the fact that it is the first known time in Wisconsin that two or more small, rural high schools have collaborated for a house-building project. Similar projects have been done by two or more schools in large cities such as Sheboygan, and by single schools in several communities across the state. But with the limited resources of the two rural school districts, and support from the communities they serve, this project is well under way.

 

The class is a part of the Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin (R-NEW) House Program established earlier this year as a collaborative effort between Wabeno and Crivitz School Districts, the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), and Cooperative Educational Service Agency 8 (CESA 8) in Gillett.

 

The 19 students (16 male and three female) involved are learning residential construction skills from Warren McKenney, a general contractor hired as an instructor by NWTC. Because of the technical college connection, students will be receiving technical college credit in addition to high school elective credits. But their educational experience is not just hammers and nails. Students learn and apply geometry, algebra, practice technical reading and communications skills, as well as employability skills such as teamwork, goal setting and planning, and leadership.

 

The house is located just east of Lakewood, approximately 65 miles northeast of Green Bay on State Highway 32. The ranch-style home will feature 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full basement, 3-stall garage, front porch and a deck in the rear, giving students ample opportunity to learn about everything from site preparation and real estate to cabinet installation and landscaping. This first R-NEW House is slated to be completed in May of next year, and then put on the market for sale. Any proceeds from the project will be reinvested in the program to help the participating schools lower their costs in subsequent years.

 

The project has gained many private supporters along the way. Several construction sub-contractors from the Lakewood area, Pinztch’s Lumber of Townsend, Associated Bank, Community Bank, Stephenson National Bank and Trust, and F & M Bank, all of Oconto, and Milwaukee Electric Tool Company have already made substantial contributions to the project. “The list of contributors just keeps growing”, says John Knickerbocker, a vocational coordinator for CESA 8 who has been helping guide the program. “We have another 9 schools who want to get involved in this program as soon as possible. It’s conceivable that next year at this time, we could have three houses being built in three separate locations in the CESA 8 region.”  Talks are currently underway for projects in or near Shawano, Gillett, and Crivitz, as well as the Crandon area.

 

Persons interested in learning more about the project may contact Knickerbocker through the CESA 8 office in Gillett at 920-855-2114, extension 227, or by visiting the CESA 8 web site at www.cesa8.k12.wi.us and clicking on “Services” and “Vocational & Technical/Equity”.

- John Knickerbocker, LVEC

 

R-NEW House Program Powers Up with Milwaukee Tools

The Rural-NorthEast Wisconsin (R-NEW) House Program celebrated Christmas early with the help of the famous Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. The Wisconsin-based company generously donated 30 power tools ranging from their popular Sawzall reciprocating saw and other saws, to various types of drills, sanders, and other professional grade tools. The tools were contributed to the program to help students learn construction skills.

The gift was orchestrated by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Human Resources Vice-President Rick Ensslin and Global Training Coordinator Doug Callies. They noted the R-NEW House Program was definitely worth assisting as the state continues to struggle in keeping up with the demand for skilled workers.

The R-NEW House Program was established earlier this year as a collaborative effort between Wabeno and Crivitz School Districts, the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), and Cooperative Educational Service Agency 8 (CESA 8) in Gillett. It was started in response to Northeast Wisconsin construction companies’ call for more technical skills training at the high school level.

Currently, 19 high school students (16 male and three female) are involved in learning residential construction skills from Warren McKenney, the general contractor hired as an instructor by NWTC. Because of the technical college connection, students will be receiving technical college credit in addition to a certificate of instruction and high school elective credits. But their educational experience is not just wood, hammers and nails. Students learn and apply geometry, algebra, technical reading and communications skills, as well as employability skills such as teamwork, goal setting and planning, and leadership.

Discussions are underway to expand the R-NEW House Program to other locations in Northeast Wisconsin. This was another reason sited by Milwaukee Tool for them to get involved. They see the expansion as good for education and the construction industry in Wisconsin. The occupational category of construction-mining has employed over 100,000 people in Wisconsin at any given time this year according to Department of Workforce Development.

Persons interested in learning more about the R-NEW House Program are encouraged to contact CESA 8 Local Vocational Education Coordinator John Knickerbocker at 920-855-2114, extension 227, or via e-mail at knickerb@cesa8.k12.wi.us
 

3R-NEW House students put a newly donated Milwaukee Electric Tool circular saw to work on exterior wall materials.

 

Instructor Warren McKenney and R-NEW House4 Project students admire the new  Milwaukee Electric Tools as they unload them

3Students and instructor Warren McKenney take a few minutes out to show off the Milwaukee Electric Tools the R-NEW House project received from the professional-grade tool maker.

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