Advance Tech students at Margaret Buerkle Middle School recently completed a community project for their classmates — they built three new picnic tables outside the Buerkle cafeteria.

Teacher Mark Simpson supervised the construction project. Adults dug the holes and used concrete to set the picnic table posts into the ground, but the students did all of the construction and assembly, a district news release stated.

They used the lessons they have learned in the Advanced Tech class, including the safe and proper use of power tools, accurate measuring and cutting and solid construction techniques so the tables will last for many years. The Home Depot store in south county gave the school a discount on all the wood that had to be purchased.

Not everyone will be allowed to use the picnic tables during school hours, a district release stated. It will take good grades and good behavior for students to earn the opportunity to eat lunch outside — weather permitting, of course, according to the release.