Habitat for Humanity Partnership Provides a ‘Field Trip’ for Salem High School CTE Scholars

SHS Career Technical Education program in first-year partnership with Essex County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity

SALEM (Feb. 24, 2025) – To Salem High School’s carpentry, electrical and building and property maintenance scholars, it’s a monthly field trip they wish was daily. 

Partnering with the Essex County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, they’ve ventured to 434 Asbury Road in South Hamilton one Friday each month since September to help build a six-unit condominium complex.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., they’ll lay hardwood flooring, build an exterior deck, and paint interiors and exteriors among many other tasks. 

“They love it,” said Ken LeFrancois, a Career Technical Education educator at SHS and member of the Class of 1985. “And right now with the weather, they’re seeing what it’s like to be outside working eight and nine hours a day. It’s a tough industry to be in. It’s good for them to see that.”

Mr. LeFrancois would know. A week after he graduated, he was on a construction site daily for 28 years before returning to SHS to be an educator in the CTE department in 2014. “

The partnership with Habitat for Humanity, which began in September, not only suits the mission of SHS’s Career Technical Education (CTE) department – specifically its carpentry, electrical and building and property maintenance tracks. It perfectly aligns with the Salem Public Schools Strategic Plan, particularly the core value of elevating learning.

The site at 434 Asbury Road is a second classroom for SHS CTE students. They are helping construct six units of affordable housing, something desperately needed in Essex County.

“It’s the best way for them to learn everything under the entire construction umbrella,” said Mr. LeFrancois. “(The students) like the two foremen, who are very knowledgeable. They ask us all the time when we’re going back.”

There are several schools and colleges – The Brooks School, Endicott College, Salem State University and Gordon College among them – that volunteer at the Asbury Road site. There are also many individual volunteers – retired doctors, journalists, and other professionals – who bring limited experience. 

Out of all of the volunteers, said Josh Diehn, Construction Supervisor with Habitat for Humanity, it is the SHS students who stand out.

“You might think you’re getting some crazy high school kids, but there is an aura of professionalism about them,” he said. “They approach things a bit more professionally. They really retain information. They’re eager to learn and very detail oriented. The work they’re doing is quality build, and that’s awesome.”

Among the most enthusiastic students is senior Jordyn Thomson, who left Salem to attend Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, but returned to SHS for her senior year specifically for its carpentry program. 

“The hands-on work we’re given the opportunity to do is an experience in itself,” she said. 

Ms. Thomson is certain of a future in carpentry and is perhaps the SHS carpentry track’s biggest advocate. In early March, she will apply to the Carpenters Union Local 339, hopeful of starting her career following graduation. 

Like her teacher.

“I’ll work for any opportunity I can get,” she noted. “My little sister, seeing me in all of this, wants to get into carpentry. That makes me kind of proud, being an inspiration to the younger crowd and to women. It’s an inspiration.”

Mr. LeFrancois is hopeful the partnership with Habitat for Humanity has a long future. 

“They look forward to us coming the most,” he said. “I like to think we’re in the door.”

About Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.