Highland Park High opens 'Plaza' to remove barriers for families and hire students

Highland Park High School presented the newly opened "Plaza," a repurposed daycare space designed to support students and families and to provide student employment.

"Our goal was to get to not just equity, but removing barriers," Miss Giardina told the Topeka Public Schools board, describing how the vacated daycare was transformed into three family-focused areas: a mini-mart that provides a grocery box every other week to signed-up Highland Park families, a free clothing outlet called Just Threads, and a market where students can earn and spend CI3T points.

The presenters said the Plaza will also host family nights offering meals and practical workshops (for example, on scholarships and food preparation), and plans to employ students to staff the space. Staff reported an initial orientation for student employees that included 18 students (out of a larger class of 23) who are being prepared to work in the Plaza's various functions.

Principal Ms. Watson and equity leaders emphasized how the Plaza responds to local need: presenters cited Highland Park as roughly 48% Hispanic and about 80% eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and said the facility is intended to remove barriers that keep students from focusing on learning.

Board members praised the project. Dr. Beeson called the transformation "insane" in a positive sense, commending the volunteers and staff who completed the conversion quickly. One board member asked how community members could donate; presenters said donors should contact the school to arrange gifts and that needs will be matched to appropriate uses.

The Plaza demonstration included a short video and a speaker describing the space's operations: a clothing bank, food bank, a shop for students to use earned points, and an explicit plan to begin hiring students to work there. Presenters invited board members and the public to visit the space and see the programs in action.

Next steps described by staff include rolling out family nights and finalizing student-hiring processes; presenters said the Plaza is open to Highland Park families and that volunteers and partners have already contributed furniture and other support.