New shop at Seven Persons School providing early experience in trades for students

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Samantha Johnson
Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer

Students at Seven Persons School (SPS) in Grades 7 through 9 who choose to take the option in construction and mechanics now have a new shop to learn in. Previously, the class was taught in a one and half car garage that was unheated and not insulated. This year they moved over to the old Firehall in Seven Persons and, with money raised by the SPS parent council and some funds from Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) division office, have purchased some additional equipment.

The building is divided into two bays and one side is being used for the construction part of the option and the other side for mechanics. Teacher Mark Resch and the students in the two classes have been setting the shop up since September while also working on new projects. Along with purchasing new equipment and tools, along with installing some new wiring in the building, all items from the old shop were moved over. Recently purchased was a hydraulic lift for the maintenance side and a tire change machine along with a balancer will be arriving shortly.

On the construction side there were some recently completed projects, such as some cat houses and a septic tank cover, along with some new projects in progress. Other students were helping to set up and organize the shop by hanging tools and small equipment on boards or cleaning up the work areas.

“It says mechanics and construction, but they have the flexibility to choose what they want to do,” explained Resch. “The students tend to have an idea of what they would like to work on and then we build it.” Resch is hoping everything is set up by May 2025 and then he plans to start a welding module, explaining the courses are an introduction to various trades for the students.

Toby Fisher is in grade 9 and has taken shop all three years because he enjoys it and said he is considering enrolling in the School of Trades next year. He and Grade 7 student Jaxon Arnal were working on getting a carburetor out of an ancient International 55 ride on mower. “It’s basically all I do at home,” stated Fisher, “you kind of figure it out yourself. If you take something apart and figure out how it works, it’s self-explanatory.”

Arnal explained someone was taking the lawnmower to a scrap yard near where he lives and agreed to let him have it for $10. “We got it home that night and it started right up, but then it started to power down, so we have to take out the carburetor,” said Arnal.

Chanel Turgen is also in Grade 9 and has taken the shop option since her Grade 7 year. She wants to train to be a vet tech after high school but also wants to live on a farm.  “I grew up on a farm and it’s something I enjoy. My friends are in this option, so I do it with them. Sometimes we build things for us and sometimes for other people when they order it. This is the second septic tank cover we’ve built.”

Trustee Graeme Dennis initially brought the idea of a new shop for SPS to the board. “I am excited for the students of SPS with this shop and learning facility. The shop program will allow students to get a hands-on start with an early experience into many of the different trades. This is a win for students as they will be able to enter a separate building which will allow them to have that true working shop experience. Students’ safety is extremely important in any shop environment and the larger dedicated space will certainly help keep students safe. The Seven Persons Community (via fundraising) and Cypress County (with the building) has certainly helped PRPS make this shop for the school a reality. PRPS can’t express thanks enough to all that have helped bring this shop to life for student learning.”