July 27, 2020
By:
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber was honored to be asked to have a Ribbon Cutting Monday for the DeKalb Middle School renovations.
What started as a vision for DeKalb Middle School through a conversation between a few of the DMS staff, administration and the district maintenance supervisor developed into an entirely new entrance with vestibule, office space, and a new partition dividing the cafeteria and commons area.
DeKalb Middle School was built in 1971 with an open floor plan. At the time, many new schools were being constructed utilizing this concept. Unfortunately, these plans fell short in providing for future growth in schools. Over the years, DeKalb Middle School has had several walls and doors added throughout the building, creating a more natural school environment. Although Dekalb Middle still has 8 classrooms and a library without walls, those classes utilize lockers and dividers as partitions to divide the class from the hallways.
Unfortunately, the entrance of DMS had not had any renovations. The commons area of the building was unusually large and not utilized to its fullest potential. DeKalb Middle now boasts an entirely new entrance with the school colors vividly grabbing your attention as you enter the sidewalk. The original entrance doors and windows are now wrapped in the letters, DMS Saints along with the Saint Bernard mascot, inviting you into the building. Once you have entered the building, you are now greeted by the receptionist in a new office, as well as the SRO office.
DeKalb Middle School Principal Lacey Foutch, Assistant Principal Anita Puckett, and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps from dwayne page on Vimeo.
The new vestibule has created a safer environment for the entire building. With additional doors and the inspirational quote “In a world where you can be anything, BE Kind,” the flow of the building reflects what DMS wants their students to personify.
The new construction has also given the cafeteria more space to be used more productively. With new double doors, new ceilings, lighting, and fresh school colors throughout, the upgrades are sure to impress the returning students.
In addition, the new gym floors have been resurfaced this summer as well as a newly painted entrance floor to the new gym.
DMS would like to thank everyone in making these visions complete:
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, School Board members: Danny Parkerson, Alan Hayes, Jim Beshearse, Kate Miller, W. J. “Dub” Evins, Doug Stephens and Shaun Tubbs. Also, the team at Upland Design Group, Lee Adcock Construction, Taylor Construction, Outlaw Graphics, Aaron Young, Tonya Sullivan, Lacey Foutch, and Anita Puckett.