Memories From a Former Principal

                                           MEMORIES FROM A FORMER PRINCIPAL

                                                  Memories of Dixon Middle School

The following is from correspondence with former Middle School Principal, Chris Hunt.  Some parts have been edited or omitted for clarity and publication.

                                                                                                                                

I have many personal memories of the old high school building where I attended sixth and seventh grades as a student with Daisy Goodman and Ellen Baker as my teachers. 

The former Dixon High School around 1935-37 that later became the junior high school.

Some years later, I returned as a first-year teacher in one classroom.  Back in those days there was no air conditioning, noisy fans and open windows.   One day the wind was strong enough to slam the door shut.  I went to open it and couldn’t.  I did not tell my class.  I waited until the buses arrived to take us to lunch at the elementary school because at that time there was no attached cafeteria.  I shouted out from the classroom to a loading bus that we were locked in a classroom and to notify Jim Toner, our principal, who at the time was serving both the junior high and (new) high school buildings.  Mr. Toner came up and tried to open the door and couldn’t.  He asked me, “how did this happen”? I explained, and between him pulling on the doorknob and me shoving mighty on the door we finally were freed to go to lunch while janitor, Loyd Evans, replaced the doorknob that was damaged and furnished us a door stop to prevent further excitement. 

Also, a fire drill where an actual fire was created in the coal furnace to create smoke in the building.  All went well in getting out without panic or so I thought until I checked the roll and discovered one of the girls in my class had re-entered the building to save her band instrument.  Thankfully, only a good lesson happened that day in what was not your routine fire drill. 

Jim Toner promoted and campaigned for a new building and with overwhelming cooperation from school administration and the Board of Education, phase one of the new addition was built in front of the existing junior high school building.

Noisy times were experienced during this phase due to open windows on warm days.  Eventually, the seventh and eighth grade moved down into the new addition and the fifth and sixth grades moved to the first floor of the existing junior high building.  The second level housed an industrial arts area and other special classrooms.  The second phase of the current building was then a focus as at the time the original structure was beginning to deteriorate.  With overwhelming community support a bond issue passed and construction began.

The first addition to the Dixon Jr High School (later re-named Dixon Middle School) was constructed in front of the existing junior high school (previously high school) around 1968.

Jim toner at the time was taking classes and learning about a concept called ‘Middle School’ for intermediate and middle grades.  These schools were mostly in urban areas.  Jim presented the idea to call it “Dixon Middle School” rather than “Dixon Junior High School”. I can’t with confidence say that it was the first rural middle school in Missouri, but it was one of the first—if not THE first.  His suggestion was adopted by the Board of Education. 

Moving day II came and I was blessed to have a lower-level room which was across from the furnace room.  I enjoyed my years there until 1982 when Jim left for Dallas, Texas as his wife, Jan, was offered an advancement in her position they could not turn down.  I was then blessed and honored with the promotion of replacing him as principal.  There was nothing to improve.  It was a privilege to face the challenges to maintain what he had achieved. 

he demolition of the former high school building situated behind the newly constructed Dixon Middle School.  Demolition was estimated to be around 1974.

 Some of my challenges were:

One Christmas day (Christmas Day also happens to be Chris Hunt’s birthday), I received a call and was told there was water coming out the lower-level south door.  Finding the floors in that lower level flooded from a frozen water line break.

A bomb threat on teacher’s pay day.

Several tornado warnings, especially one during an evening basketball game and moving players, coaches and fans to a hot, humid sweaty lower level until all clear.

Intruder alarms at night that had to be answered and searched. 

I could go on and on such as the space Challenger tragedy day, however, the best things involved the students, school activities and the quality of a very supportive staff and teachers.

One April Fool’s Day nearly all called in to tell me they were sick.  It wasn’t until almost ten calls that I was awake enough to realize something was off and that it was April Fools!

We as a staff had many challenges and we did not always agree, but the key was there was respect, flexibility and dedication through it all. 

G

ymnasium built around 1939 and is believed to be a WPA depression era project. Part of the vestibule on the front the structure remains intact today. Photo exhibits construction of the new cafeteria and hallway area of the current middle school.

A plaque that hangs in the main entrance of the Dixon Middle School. The board of education at that time included John Roberson, President, Junior Jones, Vice President, James Alexander, Secretary, Byron Miller Treasurer, and members Vernon Long and Don Anderson.   Superintendent: JW Evans.  Contractor: JW Mitchell.

One of the coolest things in my opinion that Jim Toner did when we made the final move into the new building is frame every teacher’s degree in his office.  It was a symbol of pride as well as impressive to visitors.

I am deeply saddened and I feel that this is shared by many who spent times in this building as students, faculty, support staff, and even long time community members to see the closure of what many spent years in watching it grow with new classrooms, a gym, a track, asphalt drive and parking lot, and air conditioning. 

I want to close by saying that in over my three decades, the school welcomed numerous well accomplished community, state and even a few nationally recognized individuals and groups for assemblies, presentations and graduations.  It has hosted several community events and family get togethers.  All too many to mention without leaving others out. 

The same goes for school activities but one does come to mind that I will mention.  In 1976, the United States was celebrating its 200^th bicentennial birthday.  The middle school, with great community support and led by principal Jim Toner and co-chaired by the middle school social studies teachers decided to install a time capsule.   All students, faculty, and staff as well as interested community members participated in a collection of memories of Dixon up to 1976 and buried them in the time capsule.  It was a big assignment and a great assembly when it was buried and marked to be opened in the spring of 2000.  Under the direction of then principal Don Fugate, there was a date set and public invitation to former students and the community to dig, remove, and open the time capsule.  Opening day grew a crowd and I believe it was enjoyed by all who attended as were most school and community activities were throughout the years. 

Now we are left to wonder what is in the future for good old DMS? 

We lost Jim Toner several years ago; however, this man’s accomplishments and dedication live on.  Dixon was so fortunate to have his wisdom, knowledge and dedication as he has touched so many in all the places he lived. 

I could talk indefinitely on my memories of the school as I am sure all that attended or were involved with it as those walls hold so many memories. 

-Former Principal, Chris Hunt