Dingman Delaware Elementary School

DINGMAN DELAWARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (DDES)

Joy Sweller, Principal

1355 Route 739

Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

(570) 296-3120

(570) 296-3171 (fax)

Dingman Delaware Elementary School (DDES) opened in 1982. It is one of four primary and elementary schools in the Delaware Valley School District. It is unique in that it is the only building in the district which houses just grades three through five.

DDES was formed through the consolidation of two former schools, Dingman Township School and Delaware Township School.   It is the first school to have been constructed on the complex which now also houses Dingman Delaware Primary School and Dingman Delaware Middle School. 

DDES was initially comprised of two classrooms each, kindergarten through fifth grades. It has since been renovated and expanded multiple times as student enrollments have shifted. The school now contains third, fourth, and fifth grades only, and typically about eight classrooms in each of these grade levels.

The first principal of Dingman Delaware Elementary School was Dr. Candis Finan, who later served as a longtime superintendent for the district until 2012. Other principals who have led the school are Dr. Richard Maggs, Dr. James Purcell, Mr. Mark McElroy, Mr. Thomas Smith, Mrs. Victoria McNeely, Mr. Vito Quaglia, and its current principal, Ms. Joy Sweller who took the position in the spring of 2022.

In the front lobby of the Dingman-Delaware Elementary School, one can see the bronze bell that was formerly located at the old Delaware Township Elementary School. This was bell was moved and rededicated in its current location in 1992. The slogan is ‘Where the best shine brightly’, a reference to the kindness and compassion of the student body, and highlighting students’ academic achievement, social development, and community involvement in becoming well-rounded individuals. 

ENROLLMENT TRENDS

DINGMAN DELAWARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

*These students are also included in the enrollments for each grade; therefore, these numbers have not been added to the totals.

School Days at DDES

One hallmark of the DDES school community is the kindness and compassion that has been exhibited time and time again by our students, faculty and staff.    When tragedy strikes, our school family has demonstrated a great desire to help those in need. Money and clothing have been collected for victims of local fires and other tragedies. This past year, students helped out their neighbors who were affected by Hurricane Sandy and chose to “Adopt a School” in Queens, New York by sending them much needed school supplies.  For many years, fifth grade teacher Mr. Martin Gurian has coordinated an effort to collect items to send overseas to our troops. These items include books as well as everyday necessities. We combine these efforts with a visit from local veterans’ groups on Veterans Day to help students connect with local community members who have served our country. This year, an assembly was held at Memorial Day and included former Veterans as well as representatives from the American Legion. . 

Our school community has also participated in the Pennies for Patients program as well as various other charitable initiatives.

Many events are held that highlight academic achievement, social development, and community involvement at DDES. Every year an Oral Reading Contest is conducted as well as grade level spelling bees to focus on high academic performance and achievement. Award assemblies are conducted during the last week of school to recognize the hard work of our students. Awards are not limited only to academics but are also given to students who excel in art, music and community service as well as those who demonstrate exemplary citizenship. Building camaraderie is important at Dingman Delaware Elementary School as evidenced by the many programs in which students and staff participate. 2012 saw the first annual DDES DV Pride pep rally. Students and staff participated by wearing black and white, local football team student cheerleaders performed several cheers along with a visit from the Warrior Mascot! Students were very excited and DV pride was evident! Our holiday assembly is always an event that all at DDES look forward to because virtually everyone will find themselves included in a fun-filled video that music teacher Mr. Brian Krauss has produced for years

Contributing to community service nurtures a sense of belonging and promotes characteristics that aid in developing well-rounded individuals. We are proud to say that DDES is a charter member of the Matamoras Veterans’ Memorial Park, and our students participated in the dedication of a World War II Monument on Memorial Day, 2006. The PTA sponsored their annual food drive for the month of November. Students in all grades collected food for families in our community. The food was delivered to one of the local food pantries. We also take great pride in sponsoring an AARP sanctioned senior citizen spelling bee each spring. Students invite and sponsor a senior citizen speller, who may be a relative, a neighbor, or other community member. Other community service events included the Rotary Basketball Shootout, Jump Rope for Heart and Pennies for Puppies to aid the local humane society. 

All these events, activities and people contribute to the success of the DDES family, “Where the Best Shine Brightly.”

Information researched and compiled by Sharon Siegel.