In 2007, GCISD opened its Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) for district employees, and among the students who were there on opening day were Maddox Moreno and twins Paige and Reese Sporrer, all less than one year old at the time. Now, 17 years later, as seniors at Colleyville Heritage High School, Maddox, Paige, and Reese could possibly be among the students who have spent the largest portion of their lives in the district, having entered GCISD when they were just a few months old.
The opening of the ECDC was a milestone for GCISD, combining high-quality child development programming with a warm, nurturing environment. It offered the unique benefit of a child development center specifically for the children of staff members. On that first day, the ECDC began with two classes of infants (0-12 months); two classes of toddlers (13-23 months); three classes of two-, three- and four-year-olds; one kindergarten class; and two rooms dedicated to elementary after school care. The center also offered a community-based preschool program for children eligible for special education services, integrating them into classes and co-taught by special education and ECDC staff.
Becky Sporrer, mother of Paige and Reese and a teacher at the time who is now librarian at Silver Lake Elementary, fondly remembers the early days.
“It was perfect timing for us, and the staff was so kind. ECDC felt like a family,” she shared. “My children were safe, happy, and learning a lot. By age three, my girls were writing letters and reading books.”
The ECDC has since grown, now serving 135 children ranging in ages from six weeks to three years old who “graduate” to move on to pre-K at district campuses. Even today, the ECDC remains an invaluable resource, maintaining a waitlist and serving employees across the district.
For Sporrer, one of the most beneficial aspects was the program’s affordability, a perk that is still offered today.
“We only had to pay for the 187 days we were on contract as teachers, rather than a full year of childcare. That was a huge help for our family during those early years.”
Paige and Reese went on to attend Silver Lake Elementary, Grapevine Middle School, and Colleyville Heritage High School, excelling academically and in extracurriculars along the way. They both telescoped in math, took advanced courses, and earned leadership positions in dance and student organizations. Today, they are part of the CHHS Premier Panteras as dance officer captain and social officer president.
“GCISD offered them so many opportunities to thrive,” Sporrer stated.
Memories from ECDC have not faded for Paige or sister Reese.
“Paige and I reminisce about it and look at pictures from that time,” Reese said. “We have a lot of fond memories of Easter egg hunts, birthday celebrations, and silly recess games.”
Maddox’s father, Joseph Moreno, who was the district’s director of Human Resources, also looks back fondly on his son’s time with the ECDC.
“The staff were caring and professional. We always felt confident that Maddox was in a nurturing environment that supported his development,” he remarked.
Although Maddox attended O.C. Taylor after ECDC, he did later transfer to Silver Lake where he once again crossed paths with the twins.
“I ran into the twins again there, but I was your typical boy who just wanted to play football during recess.” However, he also added that “I know if I ever needed anything from them, they’d totally help me out.”
Now a football player at CHHS, he, too, says he had a positive experience at GCISD.
“My experience in GCISD has been great,” he shared. “I’ve had the opportunity to explore different interests and discover what I’m passionate about. GCISD offers so many different areas for growth, whether through academics or athletics, and I’ve always felt supported in whatever direction I chose.”
As these three students from ECDC’s opening year prepare to graduate, their paths may have taken them different directions, but they share similar views on their GCISD experience.
“It’s been a journey filled with wonderful memories, and I’m grateful to have grown up in such a supportive and inspiring environment,” Paige said. “Being one of the first to start as an infant at the ECDC and stay in GCISD all the way through my senior year is something that feels special. It’s not just about the time I’ve spent here, but also about how deeply connected I feel to the district and the people in it. I feel like I’m part of something bigger.”