News and Features
Groundbreaking
The Lancaster Campus recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for 15 new middle and high school classrooms--not since 1964 has such an expansive classroom project occurred at Lancaster Mennonite School.
During an October 2 chapel service for the entire Lancaster Campus student body, board member Gerry Horst complimented the students on their impressive respect for chapel speakers and for their most recent SAT scores and tradition of academic excellence. The 1965 graduate described new classrooms that will provide even more opportunities for student achievement as well as gathering areas where important socialization can happen.
Keith Weaver, Lancaster Mennonite Conference moderator, also shared in the service. He thanked the school for providing a Christ-centered education that prepares students to be lifelong learners who can help change the world. Warren Tyson, executive conference minister for Atlantic Coast Conference, described the facility as one that will shape lives and, in turn, shape our congregations and conferences as we continue to partner together.
After a prayer of blessing by LMS Board Chair Diane Umble, the event continued outside. Students, staff, board members, site council members, and conference representatives broke ground with gold-colored shovels provided by the project's builder, High Construction.
Superintendent Richard Thomas recognized key persons who helped develop and shape this signature facility—board members, teachers and other friends of Lancaster Mennonite School.
The new math, science, business, and family and consumer science rooms, along with offices for system personnel, are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008.
The project will include:
- Community areas that will encourage conversation and friendship-building
- Environmentally friendly features such as natural sunlight, additional energy-saving insulation, a geothermal unit that will both heat and cool the facility more efficiently, and a green roof over one area to keep the building cooler.
- Recycled floor tiles that will not require waxing
- Use of native species in landscaping
- Flexible classroom space where desks can be rearranged to facilitate group work
- Space for displaying academic awards
