Two Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools recently received national recognition for Capturing Kids Hearts, a program aiming to strengthen connections between teachers and students.
Lake Road Elementary and Poplar Bluff Junior High are among four Missouri schools and 123 in the United States to be considered national showcase award winners. The schools were selected after program officials visited each nominated school to gather information about its implementation.
The Junior High is a repeat showcase winner. In 2017 it, along with O'Neal Elementary, received showcase honors.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill said Capturing Kids Hearts is a long-term professional learning program that ensures the school district is meeting the emotional, as well as intellectual, needs of students.
"We now have multiple showcase schools in our district which shows this is taking root and we are moving forward," he said. "(The recognition) just goes to show that these building leaders are continuing the good work of this program."
CKH is administered by the Texas-based Flippen Group. Following the company's visit, a statement released said the Poplar Bluff team's positive energy set a welcoming tone which was immediately evident upon their arrival.
"You and your team have created an outstanding environment for students and staff to learn and grow together," Flippen Group's Kelsie Acres said.
Junior high principal Candace Warren said during this year, the faculty and staff built upon an already well-established foundation.
"I felt like our teachers have a firm foundation, so we thought we'd work with the student body building on the additional training we have received from the Flippen Group," Warren said.
Warren said an affirmation wall, instating kindness week and continuing to offer Teen Leadership I and II are all reflective of the CKH values.
According to school officials, Capturing Kids Hearts was first implemented at PBJHS in 2013-14 and became a district-wide practice in 2016, which is when Lake Road adopted the program's practices.
Principal Erica Weadon said at Lake Road, CKH teaches and reinforces expectations in order to improve student behavior, adding that discipline referrals currently are tracking behind last year's numbers.
"I believe it's helped with our classroom climate, bringing us closer as a community," Weadon said. "After you do it so long, it becomes your culture. Now we hold each other accountable for all those (directives) and at some point, you no longer have to hold people accountable - it's just what they do."