S&P Cuts the Ribbon on Outdoor Classroom for HISD’s Benbrook Elementary School
Last Friday, Satterfield & Pontikes (S&P) and honored guests gathered together to cut the ribbon and officially open the outdoor classroom at HISD’s Benbrook Elementary School. The outdoor classroom was the culmination of a unique collaboration between S&P and the Sam Houston Area Council’s ScoutReach program, an elective in select Houston ISD schools where kids can learn about scouting. As part of the program, 5th grade boys and girls at Benbrook Elementary School were taught about various aspects of a construction career, including architectural sketching, blueprints, safety, framing, building materials, measurements, project success planning, tools, and other skills needed for designing and constructing buildings. The program gave students the opportunity to learn from experts in the field about the skills and knowledge required for a career in construction.
“This is a very exciting project that really highlights what scouting is all about: you take the skills that you are learning in that classroom and bring it out to the real world,” said SHAC COO Thomas Franklin. “This is a unique opportunity to show how the private industry can come together and be a three legged stool with the scouts and the schools to support the community, and be able to do some great things for some great youth.”
Before cutting the ribbon the students were joined by Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House, SHAC COO Thomas Franklin, S&P CEO George A. Pontikes Jr., and Benbrook Elementary School Principal Dana Darden to sand the final bench of the classroom.
S&P is honored to have partnered with HISD and the SHAC ScoutReach to bring this project to life at Benbrook Elementary School. We are proud to have provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry and the various roles available within it, as well as hands-on experience in designing and constructing a building. The project represents our commitment to education and community engagement, and we are inspired by the enthusiasm and curiosity of the students who participated in the program. S&P remains dedicated to supporting local communities and promoting education in the construction industry. We look forward to continuing to work with schools and organizations to provide valuable learning opportunities for students and inspire the next generation of construction professionals.
April 18, 2023
