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Suffield expands hands‑on construction pathway with Home Builders Institute for 8th graders
Summary
Suffield School District reported its first-year Home Builders Institute served 21 students in grade 8, funded by grants and donations, and emphasized hands‑on projects and employability skills; participating students described building a stool, shed and picnic tables and said the class helped them consider careers in the trades.
Rebecca Osleger, the district’s director of technology, told the Suffield Board of Education on May 19 that the Home Builders Institute (HBI) completed its first year with 21 students and was funded by grants and donations. The program, unique in the state for beginning in eighth grade rather than ninth, focuses on tool and safety training, construction math, tool recognition and employability skills.
Suffield Middle School technology education teacher Kevin Mattia was recognized by the board for developing and launching the program. Two eighth‑grade students, Ailison Hespelt and Kruthi Komalla, described classroom projects including making a stool, designing and building a shed, and constructing picnic tables. They said the course emphasized teamwork, problem solving and practical skills that helped them think about career options.
Board members asked whether the class influenced students’ career plans and what the students would say to peers considering the course. Superintendent Matthew Dunbar thanked Ms. Osleger for coordinating the program and the board expressed support for the class and its community partnerships. The presentation did not include cost per pupil or plans for expansion beyond the existing cohort; funding was described generally as grants and donations.
