York Township Elementary
York Township Elementary is one of the five elementary schools in the Dallastown area school district. The school was built on South Queen Street in the year 1948. The people who built the school decided to place the school in this location because the population centered around that area. To gather this information two teachers were interviewed from the school. The first interview was with Mrs. Shelby Paules, who has been teaching fourth grade for twenty-four years. The second interview was with Mrs. Nancy Good, who has been teaching fifth grade for eighteen years.
When asked the question, how has York Township changed throughout the years both had plenty to say. Mrs. Pauled replied,"The school has gotten much larger as far as kids, teachers, and the size of the building. It has been modernized with new equipment. They have added computer classes and expanded the library; they also added guidance councilors, after school tutoring, and an instructional support team. The biggest change, however, is the addition of the reading, writing workshop program. This allows the students to choose what they want to read and write, and basically give them more choices towards that area in their schooling." "The school has doubled in size, and has improved nursing staff. They have had L.I.U. classes. The focus has gone from a local library to a classroom library. Also, there has been an improvement in materials and technology." Mrs. Good responded.
The next question presented to the two teachers was,"In your opinion how have students changed." Both teachers gave different answers, but in a way, they meant the same thing. "The students are a lot busier out of school and that changes their academics because they are bringing into school more emotional baggage." Mrs. Good answered. Mrs. Paules's remark was,"Also, they have more things that money will buy."
"The population in the classroom fluctuates. One year you can have twenty-four to twenty-five, then up to thirty-two, and then back down to twenty-two." Mrs. Paules stated when asked the question, how has the population in the classrom changed. Mrs. Good mentioned, "The classroom size is slowly decreasing and if the classroom size gets to large the school tries to hire a teacher aid for the teacher."
How has the school dealt with the population increase in the are, was the question. Mrs. Good answered, "They have increased the amount of space in the classroom and the building itself." "The school has expanded the building size and hired more teachers." Mrs. Paules added.
When you think of York Township you think of the annual track meet. The two teachers were asked what they felt about this and if the school was proud of their track record. "Yes, we are very proud of our track record. Our school has a larger population and because of this we have a variety of students with multiple talents. We, also, have an excellent gym teacher to help the students. The students, also show good sportsmanship. So, yes, I think the whole school is proud of the school record." was what Mrs. Paules had to say. Mrs. Good replied, "The teachers are very proud of the students. We try to teach the kids how to win and how to lose."
"The students have all sorts of intramurals, instrument lessons, chorus, and they receive two parties a year." Mrs. Paules explained, when asked, does the school provide the students with parties and extra activities. Mrs. Good added, "The students have two parties, a Christmas party and an end of the year party."
Has anything interesting, good or bad, ever happened to the school was the next question asked. Mrs. Paules's response was, "I thought teaching during the construction was interesting." "Nothing bad has ever happened to York Township. I guess that shows that our school is safe." Mrs. Good replied.
The final question asked the two teachers was, if you had to describe York Township in a few sentences what would they be. Mrs. Paules replied, "The job of teaching is very rewarding. York Township has a cooperative staff, and the nice working atmosphere. Also, there is pleasant surroundings." "York Township is like a melting pot because we get a lot of the technology. We have a very polite and experienced faculty." Mrs. Good stated.
In conclusion, York Township is a wonderful school not only to be a teacher there, but many students also found York Township to be extraordinary. York Township is a large school that is keeping up with the technology. It is a school that is not afraid of change. The teachers are congenial and so is the rest of the staff. Finally, York Township Elementary is a school that anyone would be proud to say they went there.
