December 2000 News Archive

Tuesday, December 5, 2000

Powell Skateboard Enhances Wood Technology Options

Powell Skateboards, a local company, is working with local schools to provide a unique opportunity for students. The company partners with La Cumbre Middle School (LCMS) and Goleta Valley Junior High School (GVJHS) and sells them, at a discounted rate, the main, prefinished component that students use to create their own skateboard. Powell Skateboards provides prefinished wood skateboard "decks" (the wood portion of the skateboard) at the substantially reduced price of $12 each. Students enrolled in the wood technology course purchase the deck at cost. To complete the skateboard, students are entitled to acquire trucks (wheels) from a local vendor at a discounted rate.

Michael Furukawa, promotions manager for Powell Skateboards, stated "It’s good that students can understand the processes involved in building a skateboard, as opposed to going to the store and buying it." Furukawa continued, "The problem solving and hands-on experiences involved in this project may encourage some students to think about future opportunities in areas such as research and development, laminating, and other facets of production."

As part of the industrial technology program, Santa Barbara School District teachers Daniel Zaich (GVJHS) and John Paciano (LCMS) offer this skateboard option to eighth-grade students.

Wood technology, taught by John Paciano, is a one-semester elective in La Cumbre Middle School. In Paciano’s eighth-grade class, students are provided instruction in both hand and power tools. After completing their requisite salt and pepper shakers, jewelry box, and C.D. holder, students are permitted to work on extra credit projects. Extra credit projects include a cutting board, a CO2 cartridge-powered dragster, self-designed projects, or a highly-popular laminated skateboard.

John Paciano outlined the steps involved in creating a skateboard: "Students begin building their decks by designing a template or a pattern that is used to trace the shape and size of their choice. The band saw is then used to make all the preliminary rough cuts. The next step involves the use of a power disc sander to finalize the overall shape and smooth out all the rough edges. Wood files are used to fashion half-round edges. The final step involves applying a wood sealer to protect the deck from moisture damage."

According to Paciano, the program offers a number of benefits to the 30 La Cumbre Middle School students that apply each fall. "Not only are more students participating in the industrial technology elective courses but the skateboard decks have helped to attract a good cross section of students. The shop provides an excellent atmosphere to all of our students for working and learning to cooperate with one another."

Meanwhile, during a recent lunch hour, as John Paciano kept a watchful eye, La Cumbre student Jose Romano patiently filed the edges of his skateboard. Asked why he signed up for the class, Jose’s answer was simple: "I like this class because it’s been my dream to do a skateboard."

Friday, December 1, 2000

D.O.N.S. Day 2000 Will Take Place on December 6

The current Santa Barbara High School District seniors are the first graduating class required to complete 60 hours of community service during their four years of high school. To help students become aware of local non-profit organizations, Santa Barbara High School will host its third annual D.O.N.S. Day, standing for Doing Outstanding Non-profit Service. Local charitable organizations will set up tables and displays in the gymnasium on December 6, 2000, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, to inform students of volunteer opportunities. According to event organizer, Bill Dodson, the event is fun and festive and students are eligible to win prizes.

Last year, over 50 non-profit organizations participated in D.O.N.S Day, signing up hundreds of student volunteers. For example, the Museum of Natural History signed up over 50 students to help as dinoguides. Transition house enlisted over 40 student volunteers.

Since the requirement was instituted by the Board of Education in school year 1997-98 (making 60 hours of community service mandatory for high school graduates in the Class of 2001), Santa Barbara High students have donated over 45,000 hours of service to the community.

For further information on D.O.N.S. Day, contact Bill Dodson in the Santa Barbara High School Career Center, 966-9101 extension 227. Santa Barbara High is located at 700 E. Anapamu Street.