Johnston Middle School Nominated for a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools Award

Johnston Middle School has been nominated for a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools award for the 2018-2019 school year by the Flippen Group. Two years ago, school administrators began an initiative to transform the campus into an emotionally safe and relationally connected place for students, staff, and parents to come together with a love for learning.

Photo of two JMS students, Officer Bryan Townes and Principal Brent Riessen

As a result of implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts, JMS has experienced growth in the number of relationships built between students and staff since implementation.

After researching programs used by many of the nation’s most successful schools, Johnston Middle School chose to join hands with the Flippen Group to bring Capturing Kids’ Hearts to its campus. Teachers and staff have continued to learn the processes needed to connect students with their peers and adults on campus and to create classrooms where students are excited to learn every day. As a result of implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts, the school has experienced growth in the number of relationships built between students and staff since implementation as measured by the JMS Connectedness Survey.

Since 1990, campuses across the country have experienced amazing outcomes with Capturing Kids’ Hearts tools and processes, creating the socio-emotional safety conducive to learning. Flippen Group provides educators the skills they need to change the trajectory of students’ lives. Openness replaces defensiveness. Judging and feelings of being judged are replaced with acceptance and real connectedness to the school. “Discipline problems nearly non-existent,” and “Academic achievement constantly improving,” are common feedback following Capturing Kids’ Hearts implementation.

Through the National Showcase Schools awards, Flippen Group seeks to recognize and celebrate schools that go the extra mile each day, building an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. Flippen Group believes the unsung heroes who produce exemplary outcomes in schools and pave the way for other schools to follow need and deserve recognition for a job well done.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses across the country are considered for this award based on the following criteria: 1) nomination based on observation, 2) level of implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as measured by online surveys, and 3) data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’ Hearts has made a significant improvement in attendance, discipline, climate/culture, or academics.

Since the nomination period is now closed, Flippen Group teams will begin conducting site visits to nominated campuses to gather additional quantitative and qualitative data and

Students wrote quotes, lyrics, and personal goals to work towards becoming more positive and start a "chain reaction" of kindness within their school building.

Students wrote quotes, lyrics, and personal goals to work towards becoming more positive and start a “chain reaction” of kindness within their school building.

interview students, teachers, administrators, and parents. They will compile a matrix of key measurements from the campus observation. Following the site visit, the selection team will review all accumulated data and select the campuses to be this year’s recipients of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards.

The Flippen Group is proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of our children. As they identify these outstanding schools, campus leaders, and teachers each year, please join in celebrating some of the most skilled and effective educators in the country!

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For more information about the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards, contact:

Tanya Peterson, Flippen Group
Office Phone: 1-800-316-4311 | Office Fax: 1-877-941-4700
info@flippengroup.com | www.flippengroup.com