14 September 2006, Belleville, Ontario—For 17 Quinte Secondary School students, first semester is guaranteed to be hard work—because they will be building a house.

Students will work with the skilled trades people and sub contractors of Stinson Builders Ltd. through the Quinte Student Structures Home Building Program. The program will provide school-to-work opportunities for the school’s senior technology students who enter the new four-credit Student Home Building Program. While in the program, students will construct a family home from concrete footings to completion. They will have opportunities to learn aspects of a variety of skilled trades such as carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, bricklaying, insulating, drywall, heating and air conditioning, finish carpentry, hardwood flooring, landscaping and roofing. Students will also learn teamwork, problem-solving, safe work practices and how to work effectively with other trades people.

Local retailers, businesses, suppliers and contractors have generously donated personal tools for the students, equipment, water and a water cooler, and power tools for this program. The Quinte Home Builders Association purchased a 6-foot by 12-foot cargo trailer which they have loaned to the school for the project.

This one semester program offers students opportunities to earn four credits while working to construct a 1,421 square foot house with the sub-trades associated with Stinson Builders Ltd. The students will work four days a week on-site with their teacher and sub-contractors at the residential housing development located at Lot 10, Boyce Court near the corner of Boyce Court and Palmer Road in Belleville. Students will be on the work site from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and attend classes on Fridays for in-school assignments related to the project.

Five local organizations have partnered to offer real world work experiences for local students interested in the building trades:

• Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
• The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation

• Quinte Secondary School

• Quinte Home Builders’ Association
• Stinson Builders Ltd.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO A SOD-TURNING CEREMONY

Date:      Monday, September 18th at 9:00 a.m.

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Location: Lot 10, Boyce Court (see paragraph 4 above for location)

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 18,000 students each day at 46 elementary and 8 secondary schools. Supporting student achievement is the goal of 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.

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For more information, contact:

• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1-800-267-4350, extension 2354