Dallastown Elementary
The old Dallastown High School which is presently the Dallastown Elementary School was born in 1959. The accomplishments established over the years have excelled quite a bit. Not only the learning environment, but the teaching structure, academic skills, and technology have added to the successful attitude that has developed towards the school.
Technology has greatly varied among the years. Former head Teacher Mr. Wilt stated, "We used film projectors, slides, and the only text material was a book. Opposed to now, where we have overhead projectors, televisions, VCR's, copiers, and auxiliary supplementary materials. Before we were limited to a basil text."
Mr. Wilt also stated when he was head teacher, currently known as principal, in the late sixties, the school provided manual typewriters only available to the teachers. As now, you walk in a room, and all the kids are on their own full-systemed computers.
There was a very tragic incident that happened during the fifties. The Charles Street gym collapsed, due to a fierce snow storm. No students were injured, but one custodian was killed while working in the far back corner of the gym when it collapsed. Other then that, there have only been minor situations at the school. Some of this being a gas leak a couple of years ago, and one other time when a transmitter caught on fire.
Actually, there has hardly been any trouble with students and violence, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. However Mr. Wilt informed me of a problem that occurred in the summer. "Well one summer two sixth grade boys broke into the school through a locked window which they broke, and stole a record player. They eventually were caught and had to pay for the broken window. They were also furtherly punished."
The world of technology has greatly changed over the years. We often wonder what the world will be like in the future. "I think the computer will become the text, as well as a sense of virtual reality kicking in." imagined Mr. Wilt.
The school itself has changed vastly. When the school was first opened, it was Dallastown High School. The Charles Street gym used to be like a big barn that would host the school dances and parties. The cafeteria is connected to the gym, so if the gym was not there, obviously neither would the cafeteria. Everyone went home for lunch. The cafeteria was finally built in 61'; the gym was also established at that time. But just recently in the past few years, the library has changed. There is now a computer room, and the teachers have their own workroom, and publishers room. Way back the school was one room, and look at it now. It should be quite fascinating in a couple of centuries!
