The "I Just Turned In My Keys" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Had just walked out of the Manheim Township High School front door for perhaps the last time in my life.  Story goes way back to September of 1950 when I entered Brecht Elementary School as a scared 1st grader.  

Brecht Elementary School where I went to elementary school.

Six years later I was entering the original Manheim Township High School on Valley Road as a 7th grader.  Spent two years in that building and then moved across campus to a brand new High School building that held grades 9-12.  

Manheim Township High School which at the time housed grades 7-12.

Graduated in 1962 and in September of 1966 I was back once again as an Industrial Arts teacher.  Spent the next 32 years of my life teaching in the building with many memories.  Had the honor of having all three of my children in my class as well as the children of other teachers whom I taught with at the high school.  

Entrance to Manheim Township High School.

Was fortunate enough to coach the high school rifle team to the first State Championship in school history and being nominated as a dedicated educator.  Also was fortunate enough to work for the school district throughout my teaching career doing all of the in-house printing, since I taught graphic arts and had a few printing presses in my classroom.  Printed hall passes, excuse cards, school tablets, stationery, envelopes, football programs, etc., etc, etc.  

My classroom at the high school.  Notice that I was known as L DUB which is the same as LW or my initials.

Anything they would need to run the school district, my friend Mike and I printed during the summer months.  I also was the adviser to the High School's Yearbook and produced 30 yearbooks before I retired from teaching in 1999.  The following year the Middle School principal called and asked if I was interested in doing their yearbook.  Sure, why not!  

The AB Dick printing presses we used in my classes as well as school printing.

Did the Middle School book until 2020.  Eight years ago the Landis Run Intermediate School was opened and the Principal called and asked if I could do their yearbook.  Sure, why not!  As of today's date I am still doing their book.  Now, getting back to leaving the High School today.  I recently resigned my duties as in-house printer since it was getting too hard for me to lift all the cases of paper needed to do the job.  Since I no longer needed to be in the high school I thought it was best to turn in my keycard and room keys.  I had seven room keys on my key chain that had small plastic colored rings around them.  The colors were to tell me which door they would open in the high school.  

A Landis Run student who designed the very first  yearbook cover.

So...one weekend I entered the high school and painted the small circle in the center of the door knob where the keyhole is with different colored paints to match the plastic colored rings I had on the keys.  The Monday after I had completed my fantastic idea, there was an announcement at the end of the day over the school intercom asking if the person who painted all the locks would come to the office.  The school Principal wasn't happy with my idea.  Why, I don't know, but I had to remove all the paint if I wanted to be employed the next day.  

A few of the Landis Run Yearbooks

Didn't take long to clean the paint off with the printing solvents we used.  Well, today was the day that I entered the high school perhaps for the last time.  I put all the keys in a Manheim Township High School envelope that I had printed and walked in the front door using my keycard.  The first young female secretary I approached looked surprised.  She wanted to know how I got in the door without her buzzing me in.  Showed her my keycard and told her why I was there.  She checked my temperature and made me wash my hands with sanitizer and opened the door to the office.  

The Rifle Team was State Champions in 1972 and also named Team of the Year by the Lancaster Newspaper.

Found old time friends and secretaries Donna and Patti in the office and handed the keys to them.  They looked at them and asked why they had colored rings on them.  Had to give them the whole story before thanking them for all the years and years of good times we had and telling them I may never return again.  You know how hard that was to do?  I've spent 67 years of my life working for the Manheim Township School District as either a student or teacher/printer.  Tough to say Goodbye!  I still work for the Landis Run Intermediate School creating their yearbook, but that may also end soon.  I need to have liability insurance in order to be in their building.  Have needed it since I stopped teaching, but the cost wasn't too bad being I was doing jobs for other schools as well.  With just one job to do, the cost may eat up any profits I would get from doing the yearbook.  Still haven't decided what I will do, but I doubt I will ever enter the High School again after turning in my keys today.  I will miss the place.   It's been a second home with many friends.  But, I will still see some of them since Patti is my next-door neighbor and I am surrounded in my neighborhood with former students as well as current ones.  Also, still get together with members of the Industrial Arts Department.  The one thing I will miss the most at the high school is entering the different rooms while using my keys with the color strip on them.  Something I will always remember!  And, perhaps you will also!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

My 1st grade class.  I am back row, far left.

The Industrial Arts teachers celebrating the end of another school year.

I still have my name badge from when I taught.  A prized possession I will keep forever.

Recognize this guy?  Famous Manheim Township High School graduate.  Had his locker in front of my classroom.  A brilliant student, naturally!