by Jack Maher, multimedia Journalist, and Devan Crean, communications specialist, Jeffco Public Schools
Ralston Elementary students line up to inspect the school’s new entrance sign, made with student and community help.
Ralston Elementary made its new entrance sign a community project with a bit of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) blended in for good measure.
“We had a need for a sign because the old sign was just beat; it was very tired, it was wood. We needed a more permanent sign out there,” explained sixth grade teacher Jon Bromfield. “What better material than steel and an 8,000 pound block of marble?”
They began with several initial designs, but Bromfield knew he wanted steel to be an important component because there is a lot of STEM in the fabrication of steel. Once they settled on a final design, Bromfield and his students took a field trip to Warren Tech so that they could cut out the design in the steel on Warren Tech’s flatbed plasma cutter.
The rest of the fabrication was finished at Ralston Elementary, where the marble slab was put in place with the help of some heavy construction equipment. Then, a steel frame was placed around the marble, where the sign was attached. Once it was complete, it was time for the official sign unveiling. The school held a special ceremony with staff, students, and community members, which included a performance from the student orchestra.
“It’s just been a great community effort, all in all a wonderful project,” said Bromfield.
Watch the JPS-TV version of this story here.