Technology teacher Bruce Fichtman said, “For the first time since we started this project four years ago, community residents began honking their horns and rolling down their windows to take pictures.Many even stopped by to tell us how beautiful the colors were and how fantastic it looked.”  He added, “It was comforting for me and my students to know that our community was positively praising the structure.  It made all of my students’ hard work truly worthwhile.”
Student Bennett Genovesi stated,“So much preparation and planning went into  designing and building every aspect of the new TV and Recording Studio - much more than I originally thought.  I learned how to work responsibly and to collaborate with the guys to make this Victorian historically accurate.”
The Victorian TV and Recording Studio is a collaboration among North Shore students and community members funded by generous grants from the Viking Foundation.  It is the third project initiated by the LI Studies (LIS) Program under the direction of Mr. Fichtman. This is just one of five interdisciplinary humanities courses offered to seniors at North Shore High School.  Several school districts have visited North Shore to observe our senior programs which have been recognized as Programs of Excellence by the New York State Council of Teachers of English.  

Mr. Fichtman said, "In class, we studied characteristics of Carpenter Gothic style Victorians, which have been passionately captured and replicated throughout the building by student builders over the last few years."  The characteristics include the gothic windows and archways, multi-color roof shingles, detailed gingerbread trim, and wrap around porch.”  He added, "This is a real life, non-simulated learning experience since the building has to meet strict building codes and serve both students and adults alike for many years to come.  Wyatt Aledort, Eric Borchert, Bennett Genovesi, Bryan Goetz, Ryan Hart, Zachary Lauricella, and Thanasi Mokos worked diligently for 29 days in extremely hot temperatures this summer.  I want to thank them for their devotion and dedication.”

Student Bryan Goetz said, “Working on the new TV and Recording Studio was great.  The carpentry skills that we obtained will help us throughout our lives as well as the life lessons that we experienced on-site everyday (for example, working together to solve problems with our co-workers and peers.)
The North Shore School District would like to formally thank the Viking Foundation as well as the many local contractors, developers, architects and engineers who volunteered their time and expertise to help our students create this state-of-the-art communications center. Mr. Fichtman said, “Our community members have worked alongside our kids and have been fantastic mentors and teachers.”  They include: Joe Basile (Basile Electric), Glen Bunce (G. Bunce Plumbing and Heating), John Franta (Sherwin-Williams), Frank Minicozzi, and John Wierzbicki (JRW Electric, Inc.).  It is the first building at the North Shore School District that will be heated and cooled using geothermal energy.  Mr. Fichtman continued by saying, “The focus will now shift to the interior construction of the building with an estimated timeline of completion during the next two years.  The community will be able to watch as construction continues throughout the school year.”
Student Eric Borchert stated,“This was a very valuable experience for me because I want to go into engineering in the future.  He concluded by saying, “I would also like to thank Mr. Fichtman for giving me this opportunity and teaching me everything I know.”

Article by Shelly Newman 
Photos by Bruce Fichtman and Shelly Newman