Back to school tour takes Langevin to academy

Posted 11/20/13

Congressman Jim Langevin visited the New England Laborers’ Cranston Public Schools Construction Career Academy (NEL/CPS) Nov. 4 as part of his “Back to School” tour, which highlighted all types …

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Back to school tour takes Langevin to academy

ONE FOR THE YEARBOOK: The students, teachers and administrators from the New England Laborers’ Cranston Public School Construction Career Academy, along with Superintendent Dr. Judith Lundsten and School Committee member Michael Traficante, pose for a picture with Langevin in front of the Laborers’ bus.

Herald photos by Jen Cowart

SPEAKING WITH THE STUDENTS: Congressman James Langevin speaks with NEL/CPS senior student Tom Burcosky about his experiences at the New England Laborers’ Cranston Public Schools Construction Career Academy. Langevin discussed the benefits of a hands-on, technical career education with the seniors he spoke to at the school.

Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2013 1:00 pm

Jen Cowart

At the NEL/CPS charter high school, Langevin visited a senior class that was working on a hands-on construction project, laying an underground pipeline in the building behind the school where students at NEL/CPS can apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life job tasks.

“I’m proud of what you do here; I’ve heard so many great things about your school. It’s a great hands-on education and it’s great to come by and see what you do, the projects you’re involved in,” Langevin said.

Langevin asked the students to describe to him the types of projects they were working on, which included a 20x20 roadway that takes three to four months to complete, right down to having the concrete poured at the end and the destruction of the project after that, which helps the students to practice demolition.

He told the students that he believed that all students are good at something.

“Some people are good with their hands, some people excel at a four-year college or university, but everyone is good at something,” the congressman said. “If there is no one to build the buildings, then others can’t go to work. It’s good to know that when people are hiring someone who has completed their education here, they can be assured that they are hiring someone with good skills and the best possible education,” he said, noting that he doubted that most people appreciated the amount of work that it takes for the students to get to the skill level that the seniors are at.

“It takes a lot of education and training,” he said.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Judith Lundsten thanked Langevin for his visit, citing NEL/CPS as being a “unique” charter school due to its relationship and partnership between the Cranston Public Schools and the New England Laborers’ Union.

“When our seniors graduate, one of the nicest pleasures I have is handing these young men and women their diplomas. I love seeing students with persistence and knowing that every student can succeed,” she said.