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New elementary designs a big hit in LISD

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When Westside Elementary Principal Suzanne Villalpando arrived at her new campus on Aug. 21 to get ready for open house, several boys were already there, waiting. She decided to let them in for a sneak peak. Their pronouncement? “Sweet!”

That has been a fairly typical reaction among teachers, students and parents, according to Villalpando. Westside and Parkside elementaries are the first campuses built according to Leander ISD's new research-based design. Grandview Hills Elementary also has many of the same features.

Villalpando's previous experience has been with traditional school buildings. “This is the first time I've known of a new design in Central Texas,” she said.

“It's phenomenal, specially designed for children and teaching. I want to thank the district for supporting us and putting in the research. It took a lot of time and effort.”

The buildings feature classrooms built around neighborhoods instead of hallways. The name of the game is “fingertip access.”

Learning materials are easily accessible to all the classrooms. Instead of sending children down a long hallway to a science lab, teachers can send their students to the neighborhood, just outside the classroom. Refrigerators and running water are available in each neighborhood.

“Labs at other schools were underutilized because teachers had to leave their classrooms to prep,” said Villalpando.

The neighborhoods are also great for children who need individual help. “Kids used to be pulled out of class for special services. Now they do that in the neighborhood,” said Villalpando.

Another key element to the new design is transparency. Windows in walls and doors allow teachers to watch children working in the neighborhoods from their classrooms.

Villalpando said some teachers were skeptical about the new school early in the design process, but “when they saw it, everyone was for it. I don't see how anyone could go back to a regular school after this.”

Dee Johnson, a fourth grade teacher at Westside, now in her second year with LISD, is already a big fan of the new design.

“I love all the glass and openness and light,” she said. “It has a very inviting feel. Kids get to read by the windows. It really sparks creativity.”

Asked if she feels jealous that she didn't get a school like Westside when she was a kid, Villalpando said no.

“When I was a girl, I loved to play school. This is like playing school all over again.”

E-mail charles@hillcountrynews.com

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