Haunted Courtyard a fundraiser for Colts Construction program
There were no screams coming from the Haunted Courtyard at Arlington High School last week. Just the sounds of power drills and skill saws.
That’s about to change though.
“Go ahead and stand this monster up and see what happens,” said teacher Christopher Grimaldo to several students.
“Put your helmet on, and make sure you have safety glasses,” he said to a late-arriving student.
Grimaldo heads the Colts Construction program at Arlington High School, and his students – all wearing their hard hats and safety glasses – have been busy building the third-annual Haunted Courtyard.
The Haunted Courtyard was just a fun thing for students to walk though for Halloween the last couple of years. But this year, it’s open to the public for the first time. On Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6-10 p.m., anyone can come get scared.
The cost is $5 per person, and all the money will go to the Colts Construction program. They plan to buy shirts for all the students, and Grimaldo wants to make their annual end-of-the-year awards ceremony extra nice.
They deserve it.
“These kids are amazing,” Grimaldo said. “I’ve never seen kids build like they do.”
And lately, they’ve been building the various frightening displays scattered throughout the courtyard. All are based on scary movies, and all the ideas came from the students.
Hands-on Training
The students aren’t just building the Haunted Courtyard for fun. They’re gaining invaluable experience in a real-world trade.
“In the construction class, the best way to learn is through repetition, repetition, repetition,” Grimaldo said. “I teach them the basics of tools and safety, but the students also learn leadership skills and how to be flexible and problem solve.”
Once they’ve learned the basics, the students get to work building. And building.
“It’s fun,” said 11th grader Alexander Martinez. “It’s really hands-on. I used to come from another district where it was never anything like this.”
Martinez plans to become an electrician after he graduates and eventually have his own business. The skills he is picking up in Grimaldo’s construction classes are exactly what he needs.
Francisco Romero, another 11th grader, is a project manager for the Haunted Courtyard construction site, helping younger students and ensuring safety. He plans to use what he’s learned in his quest to become an architect.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Romero said. “Teamwork. We know how to build and be safe. That’s the most important part – safety. Our teacher, Grimaldo, is one of the best teachers. He teaches us everything.”