Last year, the principal of Bellefonte Elementary School, Michael Baughman, approached Ciprio interested in creating a documentary on the Bellefonte Elementary building as a way to honor its past for all those who have passed through its walls.

To bring this vision to life, she and her students are collaborating with Ciprio’s colleague, historian and Local Historia founder Matt Maris, as well as retired teacher Steve Klein and current athletic director Dr. Duffy Besch, who reflected on their experiences teaching and learning at the school.

On Feb. 20, the students began the recording process.

Klein led the students on a tour of the elementary school, while Dr. Besch shared his experiences there as both a student and an administrator and Maris provided historical information about the building.

PHOTO PROVIDED Bellefonte students are pictured while filming a documentary at Bellefonte Elementary School.

Besch, a former Bellefonte Elementary student, recalled using the Armory for his P.E. classes.

“The students are part of the process,” said Ciprio. “They have been an essential part of the filming process.”

Because undertaking the project alone would have been challenging, her students are assisting with gathering B-roll, filming a tour of the facility, documenting teachers’ experiences and recording interviews with community members.

After filming, the students helped with organizing and renaming the footage for editing

“It’s a great way for them to use the skills that they learn in class in a real-world assignment that will benefit the community as a whole,” said Ciprio.

PHOTO PROVIDED Bellefonte students are pictured while filming a documentary at Bellefonte Elementary School.

In March, they will travel to Benner Elementary to begin recording a similar documentary, which will also explore Benner Township’s one-room schoolhouses.