[TheForge] OT school waste

[Andrew Vida]

About 15 years ago when my friend Jim Hayden was principal at Freehold 
Twp HS in NJ, I offered to train any students in blacksmithing/knife 
smithing free of charge.  I would provide all equipment and materials, 
and I figured he would jump at it.  Not on your life.  I have known JJ 
since I was in high school at FTHS and he was the AV coordinator.  His 
response to me almost put me on my back - I was stunned.  So much so I 
cannot even recall exactly what it was he had said.  Nothing evil - just 
utterly unexpected, and very demeaning to the notion of practical art. 
I am sure it was unintentional, but the fact that someone whose 
intellect and good character I have admired since childhood would have 
returned to me with such an intensely misguided position and opinion... 
that just floored me - so much so I didn't even bother to try to 
convince him otherwise.

Anything "shop" is not looked upon as having any value whatsoever in 
many urban and suburban settings.  it is a sad thing.

John Allen wrote:
> I took the last session of metal shop at my high school when i was a
> sophomore. That was 97-98.I think the woodshop is still there just because
> we have too many farmers here in south jersey. I also took the last session
> of woodshop in 6th grade at my elementry school. I think it is the insurance
> costs of metal in your eye vs carpel tunnel that drives shop classes out.
>