As a new school year approaches, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in the Dickinson Public Schools system will have a new place to explore and learn.
The grand opening for the Dickinson Middle School was held on Monday, July 31, the culmination of over three years worth of work.
Superintendent Doug Sullivan said he and school district are grateful to the community for everything they have done, including and perhaps most importantly, passing a $65 million bond in October 2014 to make the school possible. The bond referendum passed with an approximately 74 percent approval rating.
"It's been a long road, but we're so appreciative of the community and the support that they've given us," Sullivan said. "The students are going to be truly pleased."
Marcus Lewton, principal of Dickinson Middle School, said Monday was a very exciting day because it brings them a step closer to the first day of school, which is Aug. 24.
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"(I'm excited to see) the kids' faces," Lewton said. "You get to watch them come in for the first time and see their excitement and their smiles."
Connor Devero will be an eighth-grader when the first bell rings on Aug. 24. He said he is most looking forward to the technology classes. He said he enjoys learning about woodworking and electronics also.
Devero's eighth-grade class will be the first class to graduate from the school, something he believes is special.
"It's kind of like being a pioneer of eighth grade," he said. "(When I first walked in I thought) 'Man, this thing is big.' ... It's impressive. It's just mind-blowing."
The 200,000-square-foot school was designed with versatile configurations for classroom spaces, including glass operable partitions and sliding "barn door" style walls. According to Mortenson, which constructed the building, it also includes:
• 34 classrooms with integral discovery spaces
• Laboratory/shop spaces for technology, art, computers, home economics, music and wood shop
• Football and soccer fields and a full-size track
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• 17,000-square-foot gymnasium with fitness, aerobics and locker-room spaces
• Forum space for the performing arts
The facility was designed by the architects at DLR Group, with civil engineering by KLJ and technology by Johnson Controls. The school was officially turned over to the district at the end of June and is designed to hold 1,050 students.
Lewton said the school wants to put an emphasis on how the students learn and figuring out what works best for them.
"I think we're all individuals. Whether you're an adult or a kid we all learn different ways and so obviously when a teacher has 125 kids she can't personalize every kid's education, but as technology becomes available and the approach to learning becomes a little different we can meet more of the needs and offer more opportunities to kids," he said.
Nichole Tooz, an eighth-grade language arts teacher at DMS, said they want to give students the time, tools and the space to achieve in this classroom and the building is a testament to the community's support of that.
"I think it's just incredible," Tooz said. "All of us (teachers) can't wait to get kids in the building and start the process of what's going to happen here at the new middle school."
The 22-year teaching vet said she is excited to implement a curriculum that allows to students to think critically, while showing students that learning can "affect your whole life."
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"It's not just a textbook anymore; it's solving real-life problems," Tooz said. "Kids always step up to your expectations, and I think it's going to be great to see what happens."
Changing "the delivery model" for classroom instruction can be a bit of a challenge, Lewton said. He hopes that the community will continue to encourage and allow the teachers to try new things to improve the students' education.
"We are constantly going through school improvement and looking at ways to improve education, but this building now really provides a different opportunity for that," he said.
The community is invited to attend an open house on Wednesday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 2675 21st St. W.
