ALTON - Alton Middle School was recently named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts Showcase School, which is a major accomplishment for the Alton Community Unit School District #11.
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Principal Dr. Brian Saenz explained that the middle school has subscribed to the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program for many years. This model encourages staff members to empower and build relationships with their students. To be named a Showcase School demonstrates the school’s commitment to this mission.
“It’s a model that really gives you a structured format for cultivating relationships with kids, improving school culture, managing behavior, focusing on character, and really focus on the positive things that students and staff do each day,” Saenz said. “It’s made them feel good. It really is a positive way to generate relationships and find out more about what’s important to people.”
The program, which is largely student-led, encourages students to repeat affirmations and sign “social contracts” detailing how they want to be treated. Saenz said the middle school’s administrative staff have even filled out a social contract to “agree on some principles we’re going to abide by” that emphasize respect and kindness.
Students also share positive experiences with their classmates every morning. They are encouraged to talk about why they are proud of themselves, or to share happy news with their peers.
The school has a character-based “word of the month” that they focus on, ranging from “courage” to “kindness” and more. The goal is to promote different ideas that lead to a positive school culture.
As a Showcase School, Alton Middle School exemplifies the Capturing Kids’ Hearts model. Saenz noted that the staff undergoes training every year, and other schools look to AMS to learn how to implement these practices.
The Capturing Kids’ Hearts program offers ongoing training and newsletters for districts to learn more about how to engage with students under this model. The goal is to build an environment that encourages learning and makes the school a place where students want to come every day.
Saenz believes the most important part of the program is creating the relationships that empower students to feel seen and valued. He noted that the model aims to build a culture of positivity, kindness and respect.
“The big thing is, it’s trying to establish relationships with kids,” he said. “That’s probably the most important piece of learning, and it’s not always an easy thing to do. I think it’s good for kids to feel safe and to feel that they have a connection to the people that are teaching them.”
For more information about the Capturing Kids’ Hearts model, visit their official website.
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