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OSRI (Office of School Reform Initiative) began a school design cohort of administrators looking to revamp or open new schools
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Dr. Amy Gile worked with her future assistant principal to learn and create a new school plan. Within the learning structure, she read and followed the Strategic School Design text and heard a range of speakers with an extensive knowledge in school design. Dr. Gile wrote a plan with an innovative eye as she designed an outside of the box hiring process, found a third way, and refined processes in which she used in previous school experiences.
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The plan created through the OSRI course to create High Tech Elementary School was submitted to the board prior to spring break. The district came back with revisions for Dr. Gile to complete within a short time prior to facing a stakeholder question and answer session.
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Dr. Gile went door to door and held community meetings in Green Valley Ranch, Stapleton, and surrounding neighborhoods to spread the word about High Tech Elementary. At the time, she was unaware of exactly where the school would be located.
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Dr. Gile was given the opportunity to present her plan to the board with a short presentation as well as a question and answer session after the board had about 2 months to read and review the plan. This process lasted only 5 minutes.
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After presenting to the board, a community comment session took place where proposed teachers and supporting parents were able to share their support of Dr. Gile and the opening of High Tech Elementary School.
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The plan was approved and community meetings began with families in the Stapleton neighborhood.
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Dr. Gile began phase 2 of the planning process for High Tech Elementary School. Weekly meetings were held at Starbucks where parents were able to stop by and meet with Dr. Gile to learn more and become part of the next phase of planning.
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Gaddy, a future HTES parent, met with Dr. Gile at Starbucks, and it was clear that she would be a great fit to be the first HTES PTA president. An open meeting was then held weeks later and the board was elected on the spot.
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Construction began for the Conservatory Green campus. Dr. Gile met with the building crew (construction and district staff) on a bi-weekly basis until the building was complete to receive updates on progress.
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Parents began to take the reigns with Dr. Gile to lead the charge in school planning committees: PBIS, nutrition, hiring, and innovation.
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Dr. Gile hired an office manager to support recruiting, hiring, purchasing and more.
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Parent email updates began on a weekly basis as Dr. Gile met parents at various outreach events including open houses at the Stapleton Recreation Center. She also began attending job fairs which were soon followed by the recruiting and hiring processes.
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Dr. Gile worked with central office staff to hire a facilities manager and a kitchen manager for the Conservatory Green campus.
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The first staff of High Tech Elementary came together to begin building a new school culture as the language of the mission and vision of the school were discussed. Professional development also took place to prepare for opening the school.
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As part of the HTES mission, we focus on individual needs to ensure that all students succeed. Working with the district on a monthly basis to learn best practices for full inclusion support became beneficial for all students' success.
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Each classroom of students had the opportunity to plant a vegetable bed in the school garden.
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Families had the opportunity to join their students for a Thanksgiving meal in the cafeteria during the lunch hour.
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Families invited to an assembly to recognize students that went above and beyond to exhibit core values throughout the first trimester.
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The arts were celebrated for the first of many times with families as students were able to showcase their musical talents.
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Part of the HTES vision is that learning is grounded in a technology-enhanced, personalized, project-based approach. This was a time for 2nd grade students to showcase their learning and work from the first half of their project based learning experience in an interactive way with staff, families, and peers.
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Members of the innovation committee including Dr. Gile, staff, and parents presented the innovation plan to the DPS board for approval.
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The school wrote a Personalized Learning grant which came to fruition in the first year. Then, staff worked to prototype and implement throughout the first and second year.
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Fundraiser to support a local homeless shelter allowed students to make a donation and wear their PJ's to school for a day.
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Students and staff were able to showcase their many talents for the community.
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