the scope of school, · anti-poverty effort that is literally saving a generation of children. –...

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the scope of school,

the shape ofthe school

house. a presentation by Aimee Eckmann and Melanie Kahl

for CEFPI, May 2010

Friday, May 14, 2010

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Aimee Eckmann, AIA, LEED AP BD+C• Senior Associate• School planning and programming since 1999• Team leader/mentor/Associate Board Member of ACE Mentor Chicago

Melanie Kahl, Knowledge Manager K12 Education• Degree in Social Policy: focus environment, education, community development

• Fellow with CPS Office of New Schools• Background in schools, nonprofit, government

Perkins+Will• Legacy of school design since 1935• Writers and thinkers on school design and sustainability• Offices around the world


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If it takes a village to raise a child...

what happenswhen a village needs support?

schools. become more.


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If schools become more than acollection of classrooms...

and their roles move beyondyouth education and preparation...

they need to look..

different..


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• The role of schools in comprehensive neighborhood transformation

• Raising our youth: The need for support beyond school

• The Harlem Children’s Zone Model

• Promise Neighborhoods

• The changing scope of school and the shape of the schoolhouse

• Peoria Promise Neighborhood Process

• Peoria Public Schools: Harrison Community Learning Center (B-8)

• Design ideas for community spaces

What are we talking about today?


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Perkins+Will has a legacy of designing schools with the community in mind.

Community Schools

William Brubaker, Perkins+Will 1997©


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13.3 million poor children in the United States, an increase of 500,000 between 2006 and 2007. That is 18% of all of America’s children.

Minority youth are overrepresented in poverty rates:• 33.7% of black children• 28.6% of hispanic children

Youth in poverty are affected at school:• By 4th grade only 17% of poor children score at

or above proficient in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

• By 4th grade only 22% of poor children score at or above proficient in Math on the NAEP

An overview of youth poverty statistics

Poverty in America

33.7% 28.6%18%

http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/eco1.asphttp://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/state-of-americas-

children-2008-report.pdf


http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/eco1.asp

http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/eco1.asp

http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/state-of-americas-children-2008-report.pdf




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1. Low birth-weight and non-genetic prenatal influences on children

2. Inadequate medical, dental, and vision care

3. Food insecurity

4. Environmental pollutants

5. Family relations and family stress

6. Neighborhood characteristics

7. Extended learning opportunities* *positive factor

Are shown to affect school success.

Out of School Factors

http://epicpolicy.org/files/PB-Berliner-NON-SCHOOL.pdf




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Spend taxpayer dollars on prison or public education?An overview of youth poverty statistics

Poverty in America

0

7500

15000

22500

30000

per pupil

per prisoner

Statistics from 2003 - State of America’s Children - 2008 Report

Children’s Defense Fund

$8,044

$22,403

279% more!


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Barriers to Educational Achievement Emerge EarlyFactors that inhibit success arise before children even before kindergarten begins.

Barriers to Achievement

Source: Hart, B., & Risley, T. (1995). Meaningful differences in the everyday experiences of young American children.Baltimore, MD: Brookes.

Slide prepared by Center for Developing Child, Harvard University

1200

500

400


An all-encompassing, all-hands-on-deck, anti-poverty effort that is literally saving a generation of children.

– President Obama

“

”

One of the most ambitious social service experiments of our time.

– New York Times

“”


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A comprehensive neighborhood program in Harlem fighting the effects of poverty and improving educational and life outcomes for children and youth, from birth through college.

This is buttressed by a collection of neighborhood development and outreach programs.

Goal:

Create a tipping point.

What is it?

Harlem Children’s Zone


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• Began in the 1970s as the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families

• In the 1980s, Harlem was deeply affected by the crack epidemic and crime

• In the 1990s

• Geoffrey Canada became president

• Piloted support services for a single block

• Created 10 year business plan

• In 1997, it launched a network of programs for a 24-block area.

• From 2000-2006 it launched programs such as The Baby College, the Harlem Gems, the HCZ Asthma Initiative, the Promise Academy, and an obesity program to help children stay healthy.

• In 2007, that area grew to nearly 100 blocks.

What is its history



http://www.hcz.org/programs/early-childhood#baby

http://www.hcz.org/programs/early-childhood#baby

http://www.hcz.org/programs/early-childhood#gems

http://www.hcz.org/programs/early-childhood#gems

http://www.hcz.org/-family-community-and-health/health




http://www.hcz.org/programs/promise-academy-charter-schools

http://www.hcz.org/programs/promise-academy-charter-schools

http://www.hcz.org/programs/family-community-a-health#obesity

http://www.hcz.org/programs/family-community-a-health#obesity

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1. Neighborhood based and at-scale

2. The HCZ pipeline

3. Building community

4. Evaluation

5. The Culture of Success

Principles for success


www.hcz.org/media/publications


http://www.hcz.org

http://www.hcz.org

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http://www.hcz.org

http://www.hcz.org

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2. The HCZ pipeline


4. Evaluation





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http://www.hcz.org

http://www.hcz.org

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2. The HCZ pipeline


4. Evaluation





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• The Baby College• Three Year Journey • Harlem Gems PreK

Programs • HCZ Promise Academies• Peacemakers• Employment and Tech.

Center• Tax Assistance Program• Foster Care Prevention• College Success Office• Beacon Program• HCZ - Community Pride• Asthma Initiative

Programs Include

91%of employment and technology seniors went to college in 2008.

79%TRUCE students passed the English Regents vs. 61% by the Harlem District 5 students

4,800Residents used HCZ Tax assistance program

32Buildings turned into low-income co-ops

99.5%of Baby College parents had up to date or scheduled immunizations for their child.

100%of Harlem Gems students were “school ready” for the sixth consecutive year. (07-08)

69%reduction in school absenteeism due to asthma.



http://www.hcz.org

http://www.hcz.org

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Facility construction at 35 E 125th street

• HCZ Promise Middle/High• Harlem Children’s Health

Project• HCZ Practitioners Institute• Administrative offices

Civic BuildersDavis Brody Bond Architects


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1. Design Choices Can Encourage and Facilitate Community Use• Creation of internal “pods,” -- open common

areas shared by 3-4 classrooms.• Multiple points of entry• Designated community use space• Flexible multipurpose rooms• Deliberate streetscape orientation

2. Design and Management Decisions Can Ease Space Sharing Tensions • Multiple storage spaces• Design for both autonomy/sharing

3. Build in flexibility4. Partnerships add value5. Financing considerations

From NY’s Civic Builders

Lessons learned at HCZ - 125th and other charters

http://www.hcz.org/images/stories/pdfs/HCZCivicCharterConstruction.pdf




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We know Harlem Children’s Zone works. And if we know it works, there’s no reason this program should stop at the end of those blocks in Harlem. It’s time to change the odds for neighborhoods all across America…the first part of my plan to combat urban poverty will be to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone in twenty cities across the country.

– President Obama

“

”


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Promise Neighborhoods is a proposed federal initiative inspired by the approach and achievements of the Harlem Children’s Zone. Its purpose is to help selected local communities dramatically improve outcomes and opportunities for children and families, at scale, in defined neighborhoods. Passed on December 16, 2010.

• $10M allocated in the FY2010 budget for planning grants for up to 20 organizations

• RFP released on April 30th• Due June 25th

• $210M allocated in the FY2011 budget for five year grants to implement a comprehensive strategy

An Overview

Promise Neighborhoods


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Peoria Case Study

• Community overview• Promise Neighborhood

Overview• Planning and design

process and solutions


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Peoria, IL • Fifth largest city in IL

• 15,000 students

• 18.8% of Peoria’s population is below the poverty line (vs. 10.7% for IL)

• 21.8% of children are in poverty

• 73.43% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch

• Birth through 8th grade community learning centers of 650 students each

• Perkins+Will programmed GlenOak and Harrison*


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www.peoriaschoolsclc.org


http://www.peoriaschoolsclc.org


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• Attended Promise Neighborhood Summit in 11/09

• Created Promise Neighborhood Planning Board• Released RFQ for lead non-profit agency• Currently working on submittal for the Promise

Neighborhood Planning Grant

Vision: Peoria's Promise Neighborhoods will be vibrant, safe, hopeful and desirables places where residents of all ages will achieve success enabling them to thrive in the 21st century.

Mission: Through collaborative services and support for education, health, and wellness and economic development, Promise Neighborhoods will bring about sustainable community revitalization.

Peoria Case Study

Promise Neighborhood candidate• Mission/Vision• Neighborhood Impact Zone• Lead Agency• Harrison CLC case study


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Peoria Timeline

2006:Planning process for Peoria Community Learning Centers

2010Prep for opening and PN

2009:• Ground Breaking• Community

Organizing

2011Apply for Promise Neighborhoods

2009:• Spring: Ground

Breaking• November: Attend

HCZ summit

2010:• March: Lead agency

selected• March 23:

Neighborhood Impact Zone defined

• June 25: PN Planning Application due

• Fall: School openings

Case Study

2011: • Move forward


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Peoria Case Study

Lead Agency:Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc.

About• Founded in 1964• 17 M operating budget

MissionThe Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc. is a Community Action Agency and leadership organization that promotes self-sufficiency, a commitment to learning and empowerment, and serves as an agent for positive transformational change for low and moderate-income individuals and families to improve the quality of life in Peoria County.

Programs includeHead Start, Early Head Start, Affordable Housing Inititative, Foster Grandparents, Food bank, etc


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Peoria Case Study

Neighborhood Impact Zone• 2 block areas around

Harrison• 446 parcels of land/118

acres• Kicked off community

process on 5/8 - 100 residents participated

• Surveys of neighborhood and community meetings upcoming

• Development options include:• Community Builders

program• Sidewalk Reconstruction• Home Ownership program• Increased Building

Requirements

School

HousingProject


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Peoria Timeline

2006:Planning process for Peoria Community Learning Centers

2010Prep for opening and PN

2009:• Ground Breaking• Community

Organizing

2011Apply for Promise Neighborhoods

2009:• Spring: Ground

Breaking• November: Attend

HCZ summit

2010:• March: Lead agency

selected• March 23:

Neighborhood Impact Zone defined

• June 25: PN Planning Application due

• Fall: School openings

Case Study

2011: • Move forward

regardless


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Community Planning ProcessA collaborative process was crucial to the design of Harrison Community Learning Center.

Workshop One:Looking to the future

Workshop Two:Facility space program

Workshop Three:Facility space program refinement

Workshop Four:Final facility space program

Interim One:Study Group Reports

Interim Two:Community presentation and input

Parent focus groups

Interim Three:Community presentation and input

Follow up:Community presentation

PartnershipBuilding


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Community Design Process

School Design & Construction Planning

Committee

23 community members3 consultant members:

Perkins+Will, Best Practices, Inc., LZT Larson&Darby

1 Health-Student Family Services

2 Parent-Family Involvement

3 Entrepreneurial/

Career

4Community

Library

5Neighborhood

Community Net.

6Environmental

Education

7 Professional Development

8 Higher

Education

9Birth - Mid-

Primary

10Late-Primary- Late

MSJH

Education Pathways

10 Study Groups100 members including parents and neighborhood community members


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Workshop Three:Facility program refinement




Parent focus groups



PartnershipBuilding


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meet • study • brainstorm • draw • ask • research

budget • timeline • space constraints • sacrifice

solutions • consensus • awareness • collaboration

Collaboration Process

Dream

Reality

Creativity


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Workshop Three:Facility program refinement




Parent focus groups



PartnershipBuilding


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Peoria Case StudyCommunity Planning Goals

Community

Flexibility

Efficiency

Natural Connection


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Strategies

A few strategies:

1. Natural focus and integration

2. Village/SLC design

3. Public/Private strategies for storage, safety, flexibility


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1. Natural Features

community

flexibility

nature

community

flexibility

Solutions:• Site Design• Central Courtyard• Nature Explore Classrooms


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Nature and Children

Connecting children with nature is shown to• reduce stress and

incidences of aggression• integrate academic

knowledge and skill

Collaboration with theArbor Day Foundation.

ArborDayFoundation


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Site Design

Natural Bioswales • Stream connecting courtyards • Nature path • Picnic areas • Natural amphitheater • Native planting • Retention basin • Council ring • Community connection

• Secure courtyards • Nature Explore classroom • Universal outdoor access


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Nature Explore Classrooms

Notes:• Promotes natural and

creative play crucial to early development

• Connects school to the environment

• Collaboration with the Arbor Day foundation

• Promotes awareness of the natural world

• Oriented adjacent to natural amphitheater

community

flexibility

nature

community

flexibility


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Central Courtyard

Notes:• Safe place for school/

community events• Provides natural views, day

light• Centerpiece of school• Central stream running

through• Useable for a variety of

programs

community

flexibility

nature

community

flexibility


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2. Villages as small learning communities

Notes:• Crucial for early learners• Village design promotes

age-appropriate collaboration

• Fosters professional collaboration

• Facilitates project based learning

• Safe access to outdoors• Robust classroom design

community

flexibility

efficiency

Early HeadStart


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Villages designed to facilitate Project Based Learning:• Age-based grouping• Flex classrooms with

movable walls• Access to the outdoors• Access to community• Professional collaboration

space• Across the corridor from the

integrated learning areas - complete with student display capabilities

Project Based Learning

PBL chart from the Buck Institute and pictures from High Tech HIgh


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Robust classroom design with designated areas for learning, collaborating, outdoor exploration, and preparation.

Taken from our seminal school, Crow Island of 1940.

L-shaped Classrooms


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Villages and classrooms are fostered to promote professional collaboration.

• Traditional teacher desks not found in classrooms

• Center of each Village is a teacher work room, with areas for storage, prep, and collaboration.

• Conference space and small group areas for support services are adjacent

Professional Collaboration


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3. Public Private Strategy

Solutions:• Secure building layout• Designated community

space• Integrated Learning Areas• Mobile Storage Carts

community

flexibility

nature

community

flexibility

efficiency

9%

38%

6%

47%

SchoolCommunitySharedBuilding Services

Programmed space allocation

Shared space


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Secure building layout

Notes:• Layout of building and site

promotes safe use of school facilities

• Promotes collaboration and reduces redundancy in community

• Strengthens school’s impact on larger neighborhood

• Space for Peoria Park District Office


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Features• Adult Ed Classroom• Parent Café • Health Center• Library• Early learning center/

HeadStart Programs• Integrated Learning Areas/

Mobile Cart Storage

Community Entry Area

ParentCafé

Library

Adult Ed

To courtyard and Integrated Learning Areas

Health


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Integrated learning areas

Notes:• Satisfies need for extra

kitchen/art space in building

• Opens up to internal courtyard

• Flexible areas, easy to seal off and program

• Accessible to community groups - ie. scouts, park district, and art classes

community

flexibility

community

flexibility

efficiency

Nanawall


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Integrated Learning Areas

cab.sinksink

fold

ing

part

ition

art cart

scrapmaterials

cart

deepshelves

storage cubbies

drying rack

art alcove elevation

kitchen alcove elevation

washer/dryer

dish-washer stove

cabinets

cab.

ref.

sinksink

fold

ing

part

ition

glas

s ga

rage

doo

rsto

ext

erio

r

kitchen alcove

art alcove

corr

idor

art alcove

kitchen alcove

moveable partition

acce

ss t

o vi

llag

es

integrated learning area

integrated learning area


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Mobile Storage Carts

Notes:• Ample storage solutions are

crucial for community involvement and ease of sharing tensions.

• Carts are moveable, lockable, and dynamic

community

flexibility

community

flexibility

efficiency


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1. Active, consistent community participation in planning

2. Input from and commitment from relevant community/government agencies

3. An urban planning lens and neighborhood planning data

4. Awareness, employment, and innovation of flexible, community space strategies

5. An integrated design process

6. An eye for the future

7. Observation and training of teachers, staff, and community

8. A set of internal champions from inception

What’s crucial in this type of educational planning?

Conclusion


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• Special thank you to Dr. Judy Helm of Best Practices, Inc. Co-Chair of the Peoria Promise Neighborhood Planning Board and partner in the Harrison project

• Perkins+Will

• www.ChildStats.gov

• www.ChildrensDefense.org

• Harlem Children’s Zone

• EPIC Policy Center

• Center for the Developing Child, Harvard University

• Center for Research on Children in the US, Georgetown University

• Illinois State Board of Education

• US Census

• United Neighborhood Centers of America

• Peoria Schools Community Learning Center Website

• US Department of Ed

Resources


the scope of school, · anti-poverty effort that is literally saving a generation of children. –...

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