Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/63126
willing to participate, and then put money in the jars of teachers they would like to see "win." The teachers with the most money in their jars are the winners. The first-place winner kisses a pig, the second-place winner kisses a goat, and the third-place win- ner kisses a chicken. "It's a kick," says Roy Beck, agriculture teacher and Bret Harte Teachers Association (BHTA) presi- dent. "All the kids and staff come down to watch it." This year, Sadler came in second Woodshop avoids chopping block How much wood would a wood- shop class sell, if students could sell wooden sheds and furniture? Rob Leever, the shop teacher at and kissed a goat for the first time. The first-place winner, an English teacher, chickened out and asked a student to kiss the pig in her place. "I guess some teachers have kiss- ing standards, but I don't happen to have them when we're raising money for the kids," says Sadler, a BHTA member. "All in all, it's swinetastic." Casa Roble Fundamental High School in Orangevale, asked students to build things that could be sold to help keep the program afloat. So instead of bookends and breadboxes for parents, his students create wooden sheds, Adirondack chairs and otto- mans made to order. It has helped to offset the cost of materials for his class, since many families can't donate money for materials during these tough times. "Teachers have to be creative, because there's no other way to sur- vive, San Juan Teachers Association. The oversize sheds sell for more " says Leever, a member of the than $2,000 each, which is less than they cost at major home improve- ment stores. They are so popular that Leever and his students can't keep them in stock. Leever says that when Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes were eliminated, the school decided to absorb the cost of his class. So he is happy to do his share to keep costs down. After all, he jokes, wood doesn't grow on trees. "It's high school, but it's also a business," says Leever. "It's great to watch my students get an A and also make $1,500 for the class." Leever has created a brochure to promote students' handiwork and advertises their products on Craig- slist. The district has filmed a video showcasing his marketing effort, which can be viewed at www.san- juan.edu/news.cfm?story=11204. Rob Leever points to a connecting wall of the shed. His students earn good grades and learn jobs skills in his class. April 2012 / www.cta.org 17 to Order Made