Senator John Pippy Joins Ceremonial Groundbreaking at Middle School

State Senator John Pippy participated Friday morning in a ceremonial ground breaking of the Integrated Arts wing of the Quaker Valley Middle School.

Pippy, R-Moon, helped the district secure a from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the new arts and technology section at the middle school.

He was able view the plans and put on a hard hat to tour the building with administrators during his visit to the , which is currently under renovation. Pippy said it was helpful that the district had an innovative plan in place, when it came to securing the funding.  

"I think it's great," he said, ifollowing the tour. "I think that Quaker Valley is a wonderful school district, with a very diverse population and I think it shows with the benefits of a good plan, we were able to help."  

Superintendent Joseph H. Clapper said he wanted to acknowledge Pippy and his staff for their efforts in helping the district secure the $250,000 School Demonstration grant. Pippy holds an avid interest in the arts, so when the district informed the senator about the project, Clapper said "he was immediately on board." 

"I wanted him to see the progress we've made so far and personally thank him for his efforts," Clapper said. 

An official ribbon cutting is tentatively scheduled for next fall, but Clapper said the district did not want to let any more time pass without acknowledging Pippy.

"Certainly $250,000 goes a long way to help," Clapper said. 

Construction is still underway at the middle school and the new addition is not yet complete.

Plans include converting the former district office and auditorium portions of the middle school building into instructional spaces dedicated to fine arts and technology -- band, chorus, orchestra and technology  such as pre-engineering.

According to the district, the planned classroom and performance space is being designed specifically sothat students and teachers will have access to this arts and technology activity during, before and after school. 

Clapper said the fine arts and technology space will also be open for community use.

The middle school renovation and expansion is anticipated to be completed for classes after Labor Day in 2012.