HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

Hiram W. Dodd Elementary School stands as a living witness to the ideals of Allentown’s fifth Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Hiram W. Dodd was Superintendent of Schools in Allentown from 1916 to 1936. He was an outstanding leader and champion in the cause of education for exceptional children.

Hiram W. Dodd School was dedicated on November 8, 1956, as the first Allentown elementary school to house complete facilities for children in need of physical support, as well as for children from kindergarten through sixth grade. Dr. John Cartwright was Superintendent of Schools, and Wolf and Hahn were the architects of the split-level building. Dodd has had six principals during its history. Mr. Otis Rothenberger was the first principal. He was followed by Mr. Charles Harmony, Mr. Larry Macaluso, Mr. Robert Bennett, and Mr. Thomas Washington. The current principal is Dr. Tina Belardi.

In 1964, a west wing was added to accommodate the growing Mountainville population. Children from the Wilson School area were welcomed as the school boundary moved eastward in 1983. An elevator was added to allow physical support students to have better access to all rooms and facilities. The present school serves children from kindergarten through fifth grade, learning support, physical support, life skills support, and gifted students.

Dodd has received numerous awards for outstanding academic and artistic performance. Dodd has worked with organizations such as The American Heart Association, The Leukemia Society, The Morning Call, Adult Literacy, America Reads, and NEA. Dodd has won the Lucent Technology Award and received grants from Binney & Smith, Walmart, and Research for Better Schools.

We are most proud of the children who have won individual awards or have received recognition for their special talents while attending Dodd School. We are also justly proud of the alumni of Hiram W. Dodd who have made valuable contributions in many phases of the adult world. We look forward to future contributions.