School Scoop: Bill Roberts Elementary

School Scoop: Bill Roberts Elementary

Posted on 19. Jun, 2009 by JM in Bill Roberts -DPS

School:  WILLIAM ROBERTS ELEMENTARY – “BILL ROBERTS”

Website: http://billroberts.dpsk12.org/

Type: Public-DPS

Tours: Begin in the fall (check back for updates and more specific information)

Main Phone: (720) 424-2640

Principal: Patricia Lea

Location: 2100 Akron Way, Denver, CO 80238 – Stapleton Neighborhood

Hours: 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM (Fridays are “early release” at 1:00 PM)

Grades: ECE-8th Grade, Full Day Kindergarten

Average Class Size: Approximately 530 students attend Bill Roberts.  This year the Kindergarten classes averaged about 23 students but given the Stapleton classroom shortage, those classes will likely be at full capacity next fall.  There are five Kindergarten classrooms with two of them being Advanced K.  There are three 1st grade classrooms.

Before/After Care: Enrichment programs are available to students after school.

Facilities and Playground: The school was built in 2006 so everything is very new and state-of-the-art. There are several playground structures and playing fields.

Special & Core Programs: Beyond Spanish (5th grade and above), PE, Art and Music, Bill Roberts emphasizes a “Growth and Challenge for All” philosophy that is comprised of four key elements: academic excellence and rigor, differentiated instruction, professional learning communities, and service learning.  Instruction is focused on DPS’s  Literacy Program and Everyday Mathematics (K-5th grade) and Connected Mathematics (6th – 8th grades). There are after school sports and enrichment programs for children to join that include drama, Spanish, art and technology instruction.  These programs change throughout the year.

Impressions: Stapleton is often described by those that have yet to drink the Koolaid as a soulless moonscape with cookie-cutter houses and equally homogeneous families occupying those houses.  You know the type, or maybe you are one, with two or three young kids, a dog and an SUV.  Well, from an outsider it may look like the reincarnation of “The Stepford Wives” but I dare say that, while it might not be ethnically diverse, many of the inhabitants happen to be dear friends and I know they have souls!  I find that I am often inviting myself to Stapleton not only to visit my very interesting and non-robotic friends, but also to enjoy its clean parks, massive pools, community events and quiet manicured streets that are a trick-or-treater’s dream.

When it comes to Bill Roberts Elementary, I find that I draw parallels to the neighborhood.  The vast, state-of-the art structure built only a few years ago is more reminiscent of a new alumni endowed college building than a place for small children to spend their days being creative and shaping their future. The facilities were ooooh so pretty; a “cafetorium” for both eating and performances, a gymnasium nicer than any elementary setting I’ve seen, an art room to die for, and pristine classrooms and hallways.  It was exciting, and at the same time daunting, to me for sure…but is it to the children?  I don’t know.

The upper grades don’t interact with the lower grades much – and we were told this was done on purpose.  I witnessed large packs of 6th, 7th and 8th graders cruising down the hallway during our tour.  They were not supposed to interface with the lower grades, according to the parent who was giving the tour, for fear of intimidation.  In retrospect, I feel it could have been a great opportunity for some mentorship programs but who am I to suggest such things!  The parent also assured our group that soon, there will only be children from the Stapleton neighborhood occupying the school as they are not enrolling anyone from “the outside” as they once did in order to fill the classrooms.  I found this a bit disconcerting thinking about where all the students from nearby Aurora will now have to go.  The parent probably intended this news to be a selling point, but the thought of the elimination of a vast majority of the diversity within the school did not sit well with me.  On the other hand, it is no secret that Stapleton will be facing a classroom shortage as soon as 2010 so I suppose there is no choice.

*Update: Middle school students do interact with elementary students. Many middle school students work in the elementary classrooms for an hour or so in the afternoon, helping the teachers with various tasks in the classrooms.

Other than the glory of the facilities and equipment (the Music room is flush with instruments and a great teacher), I felt no love from this school.  It could have been the institutional vibe, it could have been that the Assistant Principal was using a “walkie talkie” as a means of communication, and it also could have been the unclear information about where fundraising monies were allocated that turned me off entirely.

*Update: The money raised by the PTA (over $100,000 last year) goes directly to the school, and for the 2009-10 school year, will be used to pay for the equivalent of 2 full time teachers.

I have gotten feedback from several parents whose children will be attending next year, and their initial impressions were not like mine. One parent, whose child just completed a year in one of the Advanced K classes at the school said “I can tell you that overall our experience has been excellent. I love the community, the teachers really teach to the level of the child and not just by a boilerplate grade level curriculum. [Our daughter] is already reading at a first grade level and first grade hasn’t even started yet.” Other parents I’ve spoken to are also pleased with their experience with the teachers. There seems to be a strong community of parents shaping its future, so perhaps they can inject some warmth and inspiration into its halls.

To be clear, my impressions are based on a tour given by a parent (as well as my husband’s impressions of that tour), a brief Q&A interaction with the Assistant Principal and a handful of parents. When I called and emailed the school on several occasions to discuss this profile, I got no response.  I am hoping that someone will call me back to shed some light on the programs that make the school unique.

We welcome your comments and impressions on your experience with Bill Roberts Elementary.

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6 Responses to “School Scoop: Bill Roberts Elementary”

  1. Ginny Creighton

    25. Jun, 2009

    Hi. My name is Ginny Creighton, and I’m the current President of the Bill Roberts PTA. I’m sorry that your tour was not a positive experience. The tours are usually given by parents of students that attend Bill Roberts. The tour guides are volunteers, and we do the best we can to provide information and a sense of the school, but that obviously did not happen for you, and for that, I apologize. I appreciate the comments, and we will work harder with our volunteers to address your concerns. At the same time, I would like to clarify some points made in your article.

    First, middle-schoolers do interact with elementary students. Many middle school students work in the elementary classrooms for an hour or so in the afternoon, helping the teachers with various tasks in the classrooms. My children frequently talk about the “helpers” in their classrooms, and I’ve seen the middle school helpers greet my children in the hallways or outside. It is a healthy interaction for all involved.

    Second, the facilities at Bill Roberts are nice, but they are not what make the school. The school has a fantastic principal, vice-principal, and first-rate teachers that work harder than anyone I know. It’s unfortunate that you were not able to get a sense of that on your tour — perhaps they were focused on things other than “selling” the school.

    Third, the money raised by the PTA (over $100,000 last year) goes directly to the school, and for the 2009-10 school year, will be used to pay for the equivalent of 2 full time teachers.

    Finally, there are plenty of families at Bill Roberts that enjoy and embrace the diversity that we have at the school, and are happy to have students from other areas. And, you are correct that it is currently projected that beginning with the 2010-11 school year, both Bill Roberts and Westerly Creek (the other DPS neighborhood school in Stapleton) will be full with Stapleton residents, and as a result, unable to accept any choice students.

    I have 3 children at Bill Roberts — 3rd grade, 1st grade, and ECE-4, and I could not be happier. I’m pretty sure we all have a soul. Having said that, it is true that Bill Roberts is a big school, and big schools are not for everyone.

    I would be happy to provide more detail on these or any other issues relating to Bill Roberts. My contact information is available on the Bill Roberts PTA website — billrobertspta dot com.

  2. jennmassie

    25. Jun, 2009

    Hi Ginny,

    Thank you for your comments and clarification on some of our experiences through tours and parents with students at the school. It is valuable information that you have provided – and the purpose of this blog is to foster such discussions.

    We are also glad to hear that the fundraising efforts have been allocated to something specific. At the time of my (Jenn) tour the Vice Principal and parent tour-guide could not put a specific target on the funds except that “the majority of it will probably go to 1/2 of a Spanish teacher for grades 5 and up”. It made me wonder why, as a parent of a potential K student, I would contribute if it were not going to directly or even indirectly benefit my child! So, I am glad to hear that it will go to two full time teachers. That is excellent.

    Also, to be clear, we do not want anyone to “sell the school” to us. Even before this blog, our families felt strongly about getting a “vibe” from schools we visited and were hesitant when any Administrator would throw propaganda our way.

    We would be thrilled to hear from parents who have specific stories they can share about experiences and programs at Bill Roberts so that our readers can garner a substantive account of a school they are considering for their children.

    Regards,

    Jenn & Kerri
    The Scoop Two

  3. Jessica Fleck

    26. Jun, 2009

    My daughter just finished kindergarten at Bill Roberts. I feel that this charcterization of the school and the community really misses the mark.

    In regard to the school, I had a completely different experience when I took my tour several years ago. I found the school to be a very warm place. In addition, the parents, teachers, and administrators at the open house and on the tour were all generous with their time and eager to answer questions. This year, I have been very impressed with the dedication of the principal and teachers. In addition, the amount of time given by parent volunteers at Roberts is truly amazing.

    More importantly, my daughter loves her school and has learned an astounding amount this year. She came from Montview Preschool prior to attending Roberts, a very “warm and fuzzy” kind of place. She had no trouble adapting to such a large school and in fact has flourished there. In addition to having a terrific teacher, my daughter loved the “specials” (gym, art, music, and library), the interaction with the middle school helpers, her “book club” in her class, her pen pals in other classes, and keeping a journal about the worms and other bugs that were in her classroom, to name just a few highlights.

    Finally, I would like to comment on the impression that Stapleton is a “soulless” place. This could not be further from the truth. Stapleton is a “community” in the truest sense of the word. This is a place where neighbors really get to know each other and look out for each other. Residents here are very politically and community active and generous with their time and money to local charities. For example, last year someone requested sponsors for foster children to receive Christmas presents and actually had to turn away numerous people willing to help because she received so many responses. Stapleton is also loaded with “momprenuers” and creative home-based businesses. Residents here are tremendously interested in sustainability and all things “green” — a topic that is frequently discussed on the “Stapleton moms” email group. In sum, Stapleton has more community spirit than any place I have encountered.

    I urge you to update your post when you have had an opportunity to learn more about Bill Roberts and the Stapleton Community.

    Jessica

  4. kerribarclay

    26. Jun, 2009

    Jessica,
    Thank you for your comment. It was great to get your perspective on Bill Roberts and we’re glad your daughter had such a positive learning experience. We hear that the number of parent volunteers is substantial and that is so important to the success of a school! Again, we both agree with you that Stapleton is a wonderful community and has a lot to offer (as said in Jenn’s impression on the school profile), it’s just not for everyone. We will be sure to include some of the updates that you and others have brought to our attention on the post in the near future.

    ~The Scoop Two~

  5. Jo-Nell Herndon

    17. Feb, 2010

    I have hesitated to comment on your post, but today’s (Feb. 15th) Oprah provides a great opportunity for you to reflect on the term “drinking the Koolaide.” The term is used often with little understanding of the offensiveness that it has given its historical context. Unfortunately, it has become a source of off the hand commentary. I will give the benefit of the doubt that the reference above was on the naive side vs. the tragic history it implies.

    Stapleton is a great community for many, though not for all. All neighborhoods have great qualities that attract families to them for a variety of reasons.

  6. JM

    17. Feb, 2010

    Hi Jo-Nell,

    Thanks for your comment and keeping the post about Bill Roberts in the back of your mind all this time. I toured the school over a year ago and surely things have changed at this point.

    I have not watched the Oprah episode today but do have it Tivo’d and will watch it soon. The context in which I used the term “drinking the Koolaide” is one that is often and unfortunately used too colloquially, as are many terms in daily life.

    It seems we all (including me) have focused too much on the perception of the Stapleton Neighborhood and not the real purpose of the profile on Bill Roberts which was to give readers a viewpoint – one opinion – on experiences during a tour. We appreciate the passion and dedication that Stapletonians have for their neighborhood. I, for one, find myself there at least once a week and feel it’s a lovely place.

    From this point forward, I hope that everyone can focus on the rest of the post and realize that the vast majority of the profile was about the tour itself; though it seems those that have commented cannot get past the opening few lines (which, by the way, is actually positive commentary on the neighborhood in my opinion).

    We always welcome comments on any school we profile to learn about experiences parents, staff and administrators have had. To date, have heard very few with substance and specifics. We have also not heard back from the Principal or Assistant Principal after multiple attempts to garner their perspectives. Eventually, we will get back to Bill Roberts for another tour but there are 150 + schools in DPS and many many other private and faith-based schools that deserve our time as well. This is why we would LOVE to hear your comments!

    I will certainly think twice about ever using the term about Koolaide again so thank you for pointing out how it’s been misused. In the meantime, If you or anyone would like to comment on the school itself, please do.

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