Ore Valley Elementary
Many students in Dallastown Middle School have had the opportunity to attend Ore Valley Elementary School. It is one of the largest Elementary schools in the Dallastown District, and has experiences teachers and administrators. Students' educationa have benefited from the experience of the teachers on the board of Ore Valley School.
When asked when Ore Valley was built, Mr. Barry Rohrbaugh replied, "Ore Valley was built in 1962. It was Ore Valley schoolhouse, where Springwood and Camp Betty Washington Road meet. It closed in the fifties. The new school is built in the same area."
"Ore Valley stands for the ore that was mined nearby," Mr. Dennis Kohler said.
How many principals/assistants have been there? was asked. Mr. Rohrbaug replied,"I was the only principal. There was never an assistant principal. Mr. Kohler is the principal now."
The population of the school has definately changed since it was built. "It was between 250 and 275 students when the school was built. It is 676 now," recalled Mr. Kohler.
Mrs. Ralene Miller recalls,"The population was about 250 when it was first built, but it is currently 679 students. The population has tripled in size in the last thirty years. There used to be twelve classrooms, but now there's thirty."
Prices for lunches and the school store have changed a little, but not drastically. "You could get a lunch for about 25 cents and a milk for 5 cents. The school store is new though. It started about ten years ago," pronounced Mr. Rohrbaugh.
Mr. Kohler said, "No, they've stayed about the same in the last ten years."
"The lunch is now $1.50. About ten years ago, it was probably about $1.00," stated Mrs. Miller.
Students and teachers have changed since Mr. Kohler and Mrs. Miller started teaching. "Students are more sophisticated, and they've exposed to more. The methods of teaching have changed for teachers. They have to have more emphasis, flexible grouping, one on one with the students, and a better grasp of child psychology," replied Mr. Kohler.
Mrs. Miller exclaimed, "Studetns have more problems to deal with. In the past, students didn't have to deal with heroin and coccaine addicts. There are problems now because of the drug addiction. There are more problems for teachers to help students with. If I would stand up here and just talk, no one would listen. I have to act like the TV to get the students to pay attention. Teaching methods have changed. Teachers have to act like teachers, need to be parents, police, social workers, actors, and comedians to compete for attention."
When asked if they had any stories to tell Mr. Kohler and Mr. Rorhbaugh were quick to reply. "A guinea pig escaped once, and we couldn't find it for weeks," Mr. Kohler answered with a laugh.
Mr. Rohrbaugh said, "In the hallways there used to be milk machines. You could get a bottle of milk for five cents, but you would have to drink it during recess."
It is people like the ones interviewed for this report that help to make Ore Valley a great school. Ore Valley is one of the best schools, not only in the district, but also in the county. There are the people who helped Ore Valley excel in the past and will also be help in the future.
