An open house will be held at the Hershey school on Tuesday, Sept. 26 to show the areas that are complete in a major school renovation.

Construction is finished on phase 2 and well underway on phase 3 of the project, Supt. Jane Davis said.

The open house will be held in two sessions, one from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and another from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Each session will have a short presentation in the east gym, a group tour led by a teacher or principal, and a meal sponsored by Hershey State Bank and Hershey Agency. It will be held in conjunction with the annual PK-6 open house, Davis said.

If possible, parents of PK-2 students are encouraged to attend the first session and parents of students in grades 3-6 to attend the second session. 

The overall project covers roughly 55,000 sq. ft. of renovations and 30,000 sq. ft. of new construction. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire suppression are included in the project, along with other improvements.

Davis said the overarching goals of phase 2 and 3 were to renovate the 1959 building and increase instructional space in the elementary classrooms. That included converting the old gym into a K-12 Library/Media Center and collaboration area, special education, and guidance classrooms.

A secure entrance to the building is also complete at the south bus doors of the 1959 portion of the building. That entrance is used during school hours, when people are required to enter there and meet with a receptionist before entering the building.

Remodeling is still underway in the 1959 north restrooms and four of the 1959 high school classrooms under Phase 3B.

Phase 3B is anticipated to be complete at the beginning of second semester. Phase 4 of the renovation will occur in the spring and summer next year.

Phase 1, the new addition, is scheduled to be complete during the second semester this school year.

Davis said Dr. Luke McConnell will give a presentation in the east gym. The tour will go through the elementary classrooms. The meal will be in the south parking lot, presented by Hershey State Bank and Hershey Agency.

If attending the open house, please park in the south gravel lot or the west crushed rock lot. The south concrete lot will be closed for refreshments provided by Hershey State Bank. Each session will start in the east gym. Enter through the south HS commons door.

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