The Journal
HARRINGTON — "Be a Spartan, be a Spartan isn’t it great to be a Spartan," sang W.T. Chipman’s Sixth Grade Chorus during the dedication of Lake Forest South Elementary School, Thursday night.
"It’s great to be a Spartan today," Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Lake Forest School District superintendent, said to the parents, guests, and local dignitaries gathered in the new school’s cafeteria.
"I’m a Lake Forest graduate, and I am very pleased for the Lake Forest community and the citizens of Harrington to have a facility like this in Harrington, because at no time is education as important as it is today," Harrington Mayor Robert E. "Gene" Price, Jr. said.
The 55,000 square feet building opened for students after Labor Day.
Last Spring, the lake Forest School Board decided to delay the start of school until after the holiday in case of construction delays. There were none and the school opened on time, as expected Dr. Curry said.
"I’ve been an educator for 35 years and this is the first time I’ve been in a building that wasn’t older than me," Lake Forest South Elementary School Principal Dr. Judy Craig said jokingly.
The planning process started in September of 2005 — the building was complete Aug. 25.
The total price tag for the elementary school was $10.5 million, Architect Pat Ryan said.
"Ten and a half million dollars is beyond the pocketbook of a district this size" Dr. Curry said.
The Delaware Department of Education gave the district 80 percent of the funds it needed to build the school — the difference was made possible by the passing of a referendum where voters gave the district access to the funds it needed.
The building was designed by French & Ryan, Inc. of Georgetown; with the assistance of Grimm & Parker of Calverton, Md. Richard Y. Johnson & Son, Inc., of Lincoln was the general contractor.
The school’s design reflects Harrington’s extensive railroad history.
"Harrington wouldn’t be here without the railroad," Dr. Curry said.
The theme can be seen in the hallways with a railroad track design. The theme is continued in the school’s library, it was designed to resemble a train’s caboose.
The school’s decorations hearken back to Harrington’s history while its amenities focus on the student’s futures.
"Lake Forest South Elementary is the most high-tech building in the district," Dr. Curry said.
Each room is equipped with a multimedia projector, a whiteboard and an audio enhancement system.
The multimedia projectors are mounted in the classrooms’ ceiling allowing the teacher to project lesson plans and even movies.
The whiteboard is an interactive devise that allows the teacher to use her computer’s desktop through the multimedia projector. The device integrates technology into the teaching process allowing educators to devote more time to instruction and less time fumbling with computers, televisions, DVD players or other gadgets.
Each room is fitted with an audio enhancement system. Teachers wear a small microphone while they are addressing their students. The system allows the teacher to save his or her voice and amplify it so students can hear.
Each classroom in the building is equipped with additional amenities that Dr. Curry is really impressed with.
"Something important to someone that grew up in West Virginia — every classroom has a bathroom," Dr. Curry said.
He added, each room also has a water fountain. These fixtures reduce interruptions in instruction time.
"The children are who we built this for," Dr. Curry said.
