Whitley Road Elementary School User Manual by VLK Architects

K E L L E R

I S D

WHITLEY ROAD

ELEMENTARY USER MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 Introduction 02 Design Process 05 Design Narrative 06 Site Plan and Floor Plans 09 Classroom Wings 10 Collaboration Spaces 15 Library - Learning Commons 16 Fine Arts 17 Professional Learning Community Spaces 18 Outdoor Learning 22 Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Whitley Road Elementary School in Keller Independent School District, a school collaboratively designed to support increased student engagement and maximize learning opportunities in every space within the school. This User Manual is beneficial to the campus leadership and staff who educate children in this elementary school environment. This manual includes a description of the design process, building design, and instructional suggestions as to the use of the innovative spaces that have been purposefully designed as part of the building for instructional purposes.

DESIGN PROCESS Keller Independent School District embarked on a Visioning journey in October 2017. Involving almost 3,000 individuals, the district collected attitudes, beliefs, and opinions about the future of Keller ISD. This meaningful approach resulted in the Keller ISD Board of Trustees’ adoption of new Visioning Core Values on May 17, 2018. In alignment with its Visioning outcomes, Keller ISD began the process of a new Long-Range Facility Plan in the Fall of 2018. This comprehensive process was facilitated by VLK Architects and included various components: Technical Design Guidelines; Educational Specifications; Enrollment Projections and Capacity Analysis; an Educational Adequacy Assessment; and a Facility Conditions Assessment. The vision for teaching and learning at Whitley Road Elementary within Keller ISD was grounded in the district’s newly adopted Core Values and the outcomes and several components associated with their 2019 Long Range Facility Plan.

DESIGN PROCESS CONTINUED KELLER ISD CORE VALUES • Care for our teachers because the impact of their work prepares students for their future. • Passionate teaching dedicated to content and craft that inspires others. • Relationships as the foundation for how we teach, learn, work, and play together in a safe, engaging, and caring way. • Exploration and the pursuit of one’s passion that leads to personal growth. • Communication and collaboration that strengthens our unity. • Respect for the diversity of our school community through a culture of understanding and personalized learning opportunities. This facility supports students in the district’s belief that engagement happens with opportunities for problem-solving and critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and relationship building, which is the foundation for helping students learn, grow, and dream. Whitley Road Elementary has purposefully designed spaces that provide opportunities for personalized learning experiences where students’ exploration and curiosity lead to one’s passion.

DESIGN PROCESS CONTINUED Whitley Road Elementary was designed with a highly collaborative approach, known as VLK | LAUNCH®, involving students, staff, community members, business partners, and administrators, where a focused dialogue occurred to fully contemplate the aspects needed for a facility for elementary students to experience collaboration, risk taking, hands-on learning, creativity, and relationship building. Conceptual design options were built and debated to produce the most favored design to serve the students in Keller ISD. This produced specialized spaces within the school to intentionally support academic content as well as individualized and small group learning opportunities. The spaces are crucial to the instructional delivery; therefore, the design was grounded in the intent of each learning space, with anticipated student outcomes.

WHITLEY ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

TEAM NAME:

KELLER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT VLK LAUNCH®

VOTE:

0’

15’

30’

60’

120’

SITE ANALYSIS

NOTES:

DESIGN NARRATIVE This building plan mimics the intended conceptual framework decided by district stakeholders. It places the Learning Commons, traditionally referred to as the Library, at the heart of the campus, indicating the focus on literacy, while also providing for multi-functional activities for academic and community functions. Each classroom wing contains 4-5 classrooms, collaboration spaces, a Design Lab, restrooms, and support spaces. The classroom wings allow for the spaces within them to be exceptionally flexible for multiple learning environments, creating dynamic learning areas based on instructional needs. Classroom wings are organized around a shared Exchange space to promote collaboration, connection, and personalized learning. The Outdoor Learning Courtyards offer several opportunities for student learning, views, and age-appropriate play areas for each grade level. The Discover space is also part of the kindergarten common space to support and encourage inquiry-based learning through hands-on exploration. The Gym, Cafeteria, and Fine Arts are all separated from the classroom wings to reduce sound disturbance and make access available to the public without entering the building core. Administrative support spaces are within proximity to the center of the building, while also being adjacent to public spaces, for ease of accessibility and monitoring.

SITE PLAN

Front Entry

Car Rider Drop-off / Pick-Up

Bus Drop-off / Pick-Up

Outdoor Learning

FLOOR PLAN - FIRST FLOOR

Department Legend ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

Work Area / Research

CAFETERIA CAFETERIA CIRCULATION CIRCULATION

Music

CLASSROOMS CLASSROOMS COLLABORATION COLLABORATION PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LEARNING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY COMMUNITY SPACES SPACES

Outdoor Learning

FINE FINE ARTS ARTS LIBRARY LIBRARY

Professional Learning Community Spaces Collaboration Think Spaces

RESTROOMS RESTROOMS AND AND SERVICE SERVICE SPECIAL SPECIAL EDUCATION EDUCATION

Front Entry Parent Drop Off

Collaboration Impact Spaces Collaboration Exchange Spaces Create Spaces

Bus Drop Off

FLOOR PLAN - SECOND FLOOR Work Area / Research Music Outdoor Learning Professional Learning Community Spaces Collaboration Think Spaces Collaboration Impact Spaces Collaboration Exchange Spaces Create Spaces

Department Legend CIRCULATION CLASSROOMS COLLABORATION PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY SPACES FINE ARTS LIBRARY RESTROOMS AND SERVICE SPECIAL EDUCATION

CLASSROOM WINGS

Designed for Increased Student Engagement Transparency and natural light provide ample opportunity for students to connect to the outdoors, with views of the natural landscape that surrounds the building. Flexible furniture allows teachers to create a daily environment conducive to intended learning outcomes. Some classrooms are provided mobile writable surfaces, allowing for increased flexibility in group size as well as learning supports. Collaboration areas are provided in each grade level wing to extend the learning environment beyond the walls of the classroom. Supporting design thinking and the district’s vision for hands-on learning and exploration, the site contains a makerspace and a medium-sized collaboration area within the Learning Commons. Students have opportunities to create, innovate, and design in the makerspace, located on the first floor of the building. Outfitted with materials for design thinking, testing prototypes, and fostering curiosity, students use current and emerging technologies to design and convey ideas through creative methods.

Department Legend ADMINISTRATION ATHLETICS CAFETERIA CIRCULATION CLASSROOMS COLLABORATION PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY SPACES FINE ARTS LIBRARY RESTROOMS AND SERVICE SPECIAL EDUCATION

COLLABORATION SPACES

MARKER B

OARD

FLEXIBLE SEATING

TACKBOARD

Designed for Increased Student Engagement

With the expectations Keller ISD has for instructional methods, including collaboration and communication, students need areas to work in small groups, or with a partner, to use their autonomy for creative responses to instruction. Throughout the building, a diverse variety of collaboration spaces have been strategically placed for these purposes. These areas may contain flexible seating, white boards, digital displays, adjustable lighting levels, transparency, and a quieter acoustic setting. This extension of the learning environment provides endless opportunities based on curricular needs.

INTERACTIVE TACKBOARD MONITOR PLC

CLASSROOM WINGS - CREATE SPACE Designed for Increased Student Engagement

RESTROOM IN LOWER GRADES

DIRECT ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL COLLABORATION AREA

TEACHING WALL

TEACHER STATION

FLEXIBLE SEATING

LARGE TACKBOARD

UPPER & LOWER CABINETS WITH SINK IN LOWER GRADES MARKERBOARD INTERACTIVE MARKERBOARD MONITOR

Create spaces aligns with what have been traditionally referred to as classroom spaces. These spaces are designed within the classroom wing to support engaging instruction and student-centered learning. Create spaces feature wet and dry project areas, flexible furniture, writing surfaces, transparency, technology, and the ability to open into an adjacent Create space, allowing for an increase in the learning environment, or an open collaboration space providing a larger area for learning. These spaces are purposeful learning areas designed to support passion, exploration, and personal growth.

VIEW TO COLLABORATION AREA

NATURAL DAYLIGHT

CLASSROOM WINGS - THINK SPACE Designed for Increased Student Engagement

Located on the second floor above the Learning Commons is an area for students to work independently or in small groups. Think spaces serve as an extension of the learning environment upstairs and are visually connected to the Learning Commons. These spaces are outfitted with writing surfaces, technology, and flexible furnishings to promote student autonomy and learning preferences, as well as individualized teaching opportunities.

LIBRARY (BELOW)

FLEXIBLE SEATING

SOFT FLEXIBLE SEATING

MARKERBOARDS

MARKERBOARD

FLEXIBLE SEATING SOFT FLEXIBLE SEATING

OPEN TO CORRIDOR BELOW

LIBRARY (BELOW)

INTERACTIVE MONITOR

CLASSROOM WINGS - IMPACT SPACE Designed for Increased Student Engagement

MOBILE SHELVING

LIBRARY (OPEN TO BELOW)

GLASS GUARDRAIL FOR MAXIMUM VISABILITY TO/FROM IMPACT SPACE

OPEN ACCESS TO HALLWAY

FLEXIBLE SEATING

Throughout the building, mid-sized Impact spaces facilitate learner-directed group learning opportunities. Adjacent and within the Learning Commons, as well as on the 2nd floor near the arrangement of Think spaces, Impact spaces are a part of a family of shared spaces intended to be utilized by multiple groups. These areas contain flexible seating, white boards, digital displays, and provide flexibility for about ten students to work together. Impact spaces could be used to provide for group independent time, or an area where extensions of the curriculum can be accomplished.

GLASS GUARDRAIL FOR MAXIMUM VISABILITY TO/FROM IMPACT SPACE

DIRECT ACCESS TO LIBRARY BELOW

CLASSROOM WINGS - EXCHANGE SPACE Designed for Increased Student Engagement

Included in each classroom wing, a centralized Exchange space facilitate large group learning outside of Create spaces that can be utilized by multiple users. Internal access is easy, and monitoring is achieved through shared transparency within the neighborhood. Exchange spaces are outfitted with writing surfaces, technology, and flexible furnishings, and can accommodate a diverse arrangement of student learning experiences. The Learning Stairs are a focal point of the campus. They provide a flexible environment for students to work individually, in pairs, or in small groups. The nature of this setting provides a positive atmosphere for learning and a sense of connectedness for the user.

LIBRARY - LEARNING COMMONS Designed for Increased Student Engagement MAKER SPACE ACROSS HALLWAY WINDOW WALL FOR VISUAL CONNECTION TO LIBRARY OPEN ACCESS TO HALLWAY

MOBILE STACKS OPEN ACCESS TO HALLWAY

GLASS WALL VIEW TO COURTYARD

HIDDEN READING SPOT

INTERACTIVE MONITOR

ACCESS TO COURTYARD

STAIRWAY TO SECOND FLOOR AND IMPACT SPACE

INTERACTIVE MONITOR

HIDDEN READING SPOT

OFFICE

FLEXIBLE SEATING

MOBILE BOOK STACKS

GLASS WALL VIEW TO COURTYARD

CHECKOUT DESK

MOBILE STACKS

WORK ROOM

The Learning Commons aligns with what has been traditionally referred to as the Library. In next generation learning environments, the Learning Commons is to be experienced daily and not as a destination space. An open and inviting environment, signifying the importance of literacy within the campus, its contents will be aligned, at a minimum, with the Texas School Library Standards while providing for multi-functional activities for academic and community functions. A variety of elements and activities can be provided from traditional stack areas and media circulation, quiet individual reading, individual and group research, and both small and large group collaboration with technology resources available to students. The Learning Commons serves as a location for teachers and students to develop a diverse and deep knowledge of digital and content literacy that fosters exploration of one’s passion that leads to personal growth.

FINE ARTS

Designed for Increased Student Engagement

MARKERBOARD TEACHING WALL WITH INTERACTIVE BOARD

FLEXIBLE SEATING

TEACHER STATION

LOWER STORAGE CABINETS WITH SINKS

DISPLAY WINDOW TO HALLWAY

DIRECT ACCESS TO FINE ARTS HALLWAY WITH GLASS SIDELIGHT

NATURAL DAYLIGHT

UPPER AND LOWER STORAGE CABINETS STORAGE

DIRECT ACCESS TO ART COURTYARD

ART COURTYARD

KILN

Located on the first floor of the building, a separate Fine Arts wing provides an environment for specialized teaching dedicated to content and craft that inspires others. Creative expression, academic connections, and active learning will be experienced within the Fine Arts area which includes dedicated music, art, and theater spaces. Ample storage was included to provide spaces for props, chairs, materials, and instruments associated with the needs of each program. The area is near the performance stage, located within the cafetorium, for accessibility ease and community engagement. The art room is adjacent to an outdoor courtyard that provides ample natural light and inspiration for student creation.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY SPACES Designed for Increased Student Engagement

COPIER

FLEXIBLE SEATING / WORK TABLES

STAFF RESTROOM

ELECTRICAL

LARGE INTERACTIVE MONITOR MARKERBOARD MARKERBOARD

MOBILE STORAGE AREA

NATURAL DAYLIGHT

GRADE LEVEL STORAGE

Because Keller ISD values relationships, and in alignment with design areas for independent and small group collaboration, it is important that professional staff also have designated space to learn, work, and plan together in a safe, engaging, and caring way. Professional Learning Community (P.L.C.) spaces are intended to be inviting and flexible for teachers to collaborate with their teammates, design engaging learning experiences, communicate with students or parents, or gain meaningful professional learning opportunities. Housed within each classroom wing, these spaces can also be used for individualized student needs when appropriate.

DIRECT ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL COLLABORATION AREAS

OUTDOOR LEARNING

Designed for Increased Student Engagement

Outdoor spaces are designed to extend the learning environment. In alignment with Keller ISD’s Core Values and Strategies, the inclusion of outdoor learning provides for an interesting space that fosters curiosity and wonder. Whitley Road Elementary features three outdoor learning areas; Entry Courtyard, Art Courtyard, and the Central Learning Commons Courtyard. The courtyards allow for natural light within the building, space for students to move and play.

OUTDOOR LEARNING - CENTRAL LEARNING COMMONS Designed for Increased Student Engagement

A large Central Learning Commons Courtyard is surrounded by the core of the campus. This learning environment is adjacent to major interior corridors, providing for appealing exterior views, a sense of openness, and ample filtered natural light. The Learning Commons is adjacent with a door for outdoor access, which students may use for outdoor learning experiences, small group work, hands-on activities, or autonomy in learning preferences.

OUTDOOR LEARNING - ART COURTYARD Designed for Increased Student Engagement

The Art Courtyard is adjacent to the Fine Arts wing and directly accessible from the Art room. This outdoor learning environment provides opportunity for active, hands-on learning within a Fine Arts curriculum. Wet and/or messy projects, as well as learning that may require an abundance of noise, can all be accomplished within the Art Courtyard. Showcasing student projects or a performance is also the intent of the Art Courtyard design.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES President Vice President Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member

ADMINISTRATION Cindy Lotton Ruthie Keyes Chris Roof Craig Allen Karina Davis Beverly Dixon Brad Schofield

Superintendent Chief of Schools Chief Financial Officer Chief Technology Officer Chief Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent of HR Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Executive Director of Special Education Executive Director of Facility Services

Dr. Rick Westfall Cecil McDaniel Mark Youngs Joe Griffin Shelly Johnson Tracy Johnson Sara Koprowski Gena Koster Hudson Huff