Dallas School District cuts ribbon on new Intermediate School

DALLAS — A new school year is on the horizon, and to kick things off the Dallas School District unveiled its brand new Dallas Intermediate School with a lavish ceremony on Sunday.

“Today is a great day for the Dallas School District,” said Superintendent Thomas Duffy. “For me, as superintendent, this is one of the most memorable days to date, and likely ever in my role.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the new facility, located right next to Wycallis Elementary School on the campus of the Dallas School District.

The new school will house students from grades three through five, while kindergarten through second-graders will attend Wycallis.

Performances by the Dallas High School band and cheerleaders preceded the ceremony, which started outside of the building before moving inside to the new gymnasium.

Inside, guests and new students were treated to an assortment of speeches from various figures in the Dallas school community.

Duffy got things started by leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before handing off to school board President Kristin Pitarra. Larry Schuler and Patrick Musto, both school board members, also spoke before the ceremony was concluded by remarks from the principal of the Dallas Intermediate School, Thomas Traver.

“Every single day that I come to the Dallas School District, I learn something,” Traver said. “I challenge all of you students to learn something every single day … Treat this building as if it were your home.”

Traver provided a scavenger hunt of sorts for the kids, pointing out various views and unique innovations that the new school would have for them to look for.

Such innovations include a rock wall inside the gymnasium (set to be finished in November), an outdoor classroom setting and state-of-the-art equipment for math and science classes.

The idea for a new school first spawned back in 2013, and Duffy and the rest of the speakers took great pride in pointing out that the project finished on time, under budget and without any added costs, all thanks to the architecture and engineering firms tasked with the mapping out and construction of the building.

The official first day of school for the district is set for Sept. 5.

One of the classrooms inside the new Dallas Intermediate School.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL082619dallas-KC_6.jpgOne of the classrooms inside the new Dallas Intermediate School. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Dallas Intermediate School third grader Olivia Forlenza, 8, left, checks out the new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classroom at her new school with her older sister Isabella, 11, and mom, Claudia, during a tour of the new facility on Sunday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL082619dallas-KC_5.jpgDallas Intermediate School third grader Olivia Forlenza, 8, left, checks out the new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classroom at her new school with her older sister Isabella, 11, and mom, Claudia, during a tour of the new facility on Sunday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Dallas Internediate School fifth grader Sutton Kern, 10, writes her name on a ribbon-cutting poster for her new school on Sunday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL082619dallas-KC_3.jpgDallas Internediate School fifth grader Sutton Kern, 10, writes her name on a ribbon-cutting poster for her new school on Sunday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Calvin Polacheck, of Dallas tech support, describes the features of the media center/library at the Dallas Intermediate School.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL082619dallas-KC_4.jpgCalvin Polacheck, of Dallas tech support, describes the features of the media center/library at the Dallas Intermediate School. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Dallas School District Superintendent Thomas Duffy, right, and Intermediate School Principal Thomas Traver are joined by school and elected officials as they cut the ribbon for the new Dallas Intermediate School on Sunday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL082619dallas-KC_2.jpgDallas School District Superintendent Thomas Duffy, right, and Intermediate School Principal Thomas Traver are joined by school and elected officials as they cut the ribbon for the new Dallas Intermediate School on Sunday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

The Dallas cheerleaders perform a routine before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Dallas Intermediate School on Sunday in Dallas.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL082619dallas-KC_1.jpgThe Dallas cheerleaders perform a routine before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Dallas Intermediate School on Sunday in Dallas. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader