Dallastown Middle School
"They built Dallastown School District's middle school in 1964," Dr. Donald E. Myers reported, "They added on in 1971. Now the oldest part of the building is the sixth and seventh grade hall. The school was built to be like a bridge from the "elementary school" to the "high school." It is neither a "junior high" nor "elementary." It is for students of the age from eleven to fourteen.
In the addition in 1971, on the first floor is a 450 permanent seating auditorium was built. It has a stage that is twenty-one feet by forty-three feet with a dressing room on each side. Next is a planetarium, which is on the other side of the front lobby. The planetarium will not be in use after the '98-'99 school year. Also included on that floor are nine regular classrooms, two faculty rooms, an instructional planning center and a seminar room.
A tunnel constructed beneath the driveway connects the high school's "B" wing to the pool area. "The tunnel was built so that students would not have to go outside when going to the pool for gym." Dr. Myers stated. The tunnel shelters students when going to the pool facilities. Also, when the middle school students go to the high school for foreign language.
Added to the former "C" wing, the first part built in 1964, a new industrial arts shop or Tech. Ed. Room, with an individual planning and finishing room. An Olympic size swimming pool with six lanes and a diving tank. Included are two sets of showers, one on each side, and two locker rooms, again, one on each side. A teacher station is also put on each side and a laundry room.
Now the second floor plan features upstairs in the main building an Instructional Materials' Center (I.M.C.). Blocked with its spacious library and language library. Also, a television studio where students can educate the other students with important information in the morning. Like, if there was a switch schedule. Nevertheless, there are an instructional library classroom, another faculty room and industrial planning center. Rounding out the top floor is general office, health and guidance suites, a tiered large group instructional area to the rear of the auditorium, four classrooms and two seminar rooms. A Television set is in each regular classroom so, besides the announcements, educational programs can be viewed. They did turn one of the rooms into a computer room for the students and teachers. "They got that twelve to fifteen years ago in the mid- or early eighties." Dr. Myers prolaimed. "They had two type writers about eight years ago. The students never had access to those." Mrs. Linda Myers replied.
There was always empty rooms to be filled, but now they are always searching for more space." Mrs. Myers recalls. "Classes were a bit smaller though." That is one reason for the new addition expected to be done in 2002.
"The middle school had only three principals since I started," Mr. Robert Krantz replied. "Dr. George Jones was the first one, Dr. Donald E. Myers was the second one, and I, myself (Mr. Robert Krantz) is the third." When asked if principals had a lot of responsibilities, Mr. Krantz response was, "Yes! We have lots of them. Mostly because you are in charge of everything. There are challenges every day. I wouldn't call them problems. Due to construction and deadline changes. You are told something the day before it happens. The school also needed the space and curriculum. I can't wait to see it finished. I'm trilled about the whole thing."
The Dallastown Middle School is designed for those students in the age group of eleven to fourteen and found in grades, sixth, seventh, and eighth. With the addition of the school, students will be able to learn with smaller amount of students per class. The middle school can be considered a brige between "elementary" and "high school." The school has been around for many years, and will be around for many more years to come. The major purpose of the middle school is to provide for the maximum growth of the individual-intellecually, socially, physically and emotionally. The planning of the curriculum, physical facilities and the organization reflects on this purpose.
NOTE: Information that does not state where it came from was in Dallastown Middle School's Open House pamphlet from October 24, 1971.
