b'want. You want them to say, I made that, and want to keep it.Schloff agrees. It starts as a plank ofwood.Youcantevenimagine what it will become. Then you mea-sure, saw, join, and suddenly, its a box. Its transformational.HudsonTyler,whogrewupin South Orange and is studying at the College of New Jersey, fondly recalls his experience as a 12- and 13-year-oldatMaplewoodshopssummer program.Theclasswassuccessful in teaching me the basic principles of woodworking, he says.Haniel Rosemond, DDS, MAGD This elementary age boy made a birdHesaidhewouldrecommend General Dentist house at a class in SOMA. theprogramtootherkids.Defi-Davia Strachan, DDS nitely! Building things from scratch Pediatric Dentist students to decorate their builds withis a pretty good method of learning Spec. Permit 4041 plaster,goldleafandotherthetechniques.Tyler,who artisticelements.MikesThebuilt a toolbox and a tray Same Day Dentistry & Emergencies Welcome programfocusesonsafety post- duringtheprogram, Early Morning and Evening Appointments AvailableGeneral DentistryInvisalignImplants construction. I got toers say it all:proudly notes that his Early Dental Care for BabiesPediatric Dentistry bring in the aesthet- Something will gomomstillusesthe ics, she says. wrong. How youtrayaspartofher Call us to schedule your next appointmentBut the real beau- regular rotation.(973) 762-2660 ty was the transfor- deal with it is whatMaplewoodshop southorangedentalcenter.com mationhappen- matters. Were amaylooklikeabox 481 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE,SOUTH ORANGE, NJ 07079 inginsidethekids.community. Helpof tools on wheels, but They werent on theirothers. Ask foritsreallyalaunchpad phones. They were fullyhelp. forlearning.Stepinto in it, using their senses, feel- aclassroomusingSchloffs ing the wood, smelling the pine,woodshopexperienceandyoull respecting the tools, Reisman says. hear the steady rhythm of saws and Maplewoodshopsproj-ectsrangefromkeepsake boxestotoothbrushhold-ers,doghousesandeven footstools that younger sib-lingscanusetoreachthe sink. But its not just about whats built, its about whats felt.Onestudentbuilta box he was so proud of that heimmediatelypaintedit andtookithome,Reis- Schloff patented this worktable that fits on most tables making it easy to turn a space into a man says. Thats what youwoodworking station. Photo by Carlos Sanchez.hammers,feeltheenergy shift, and see something rarekids completely immersed in what theyre doing.Schloffs philosophy isnt just about woodworking, its aboutrehumanizingeduca-tion. Were not just build-Schloff holds an example of a finished plinkoingprojects.Werebuild-game that the students will be making. Photoingpeople,Schloffsays. by Carlos Sanchez. Withnopowertools,the 14/ matters magazine / school 2025'