Skip to main content
  2. Upcoming/Ongoing Topics!

Upcoming/Ongoing Topics!

Capturing Kids Hearts!  School Wide Character Program

Capturing Kids' Hearts (CKH) focuses on building positive relationships and character development through monthly themes. These themes are designed to foster specific character traits and create a positive classroom environment. Each month typically features a different character trait like empathy, self-direction, or teamwork, with resources and activities available to help teachers implement the theme. 

Here's a more detailed look at some of the monthly themes:

  • Empathy (August/September): Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of others, encouraging students to be aware of and sensitive to the emotions of their classmates.  INTRO. HOW TO GET HELP. WHAT COUNSELOR DOES-

  •  

  • Self-Direction (October): Promotes student independence and responsibility for their own learning and actions.   RED RIBBON WEEK. RISKY BEHAVIORS/ FENTANYL POSIONING

  •  

  • Teamwork (November): Emphasizes collaboration and working together towards a common goal. 

  •  

  • Responsibility (December): Encourages students to take ownership of their actions and commitments. 

  •  

  • Respect (January): Focuses on treating others with kindness and consideration, valuing different perspectives, and following school rules.  BULLYING/MEAN/KINDNESS.

  •  COURSE SELECTIONS

  • Kindness (February): Promotes acts of compassion and generosity, showing care and consideration for others. 

  •  

  • Courage (March): Encourages students to overcome challenges and make difficult decisions, even when facing obstacles. 

  •  

  • Perseverance (April): Focuses on sticking with difficult tasks and not giving up easily, promoting resilience and determination. 

  • RESILIENCE; SUICIDE; COPING SKILLS/ STRESS MANAGEMENT

  • Integrity (May): Emphasizes honesty, honesty, and acting with good character. 

  • MH AWARENESS; 

In addition to these monthly themes, CKH also utilizes various strategies to build strong relationships, such as the "Social Contract," which outlines classroom expectations and rules collaboratively created by students. Fort Smith School District describes the social contract as outlining behavior expectations in a classroom, and it is a student-created document. Another key element is the "EXCEL model," which stands for Engage, Xplore, Communicate, Empower, and Launch, and is used to guide communication with students. 

Empathy (August/September)

September- What is Empathy?

Empathy is understanding and feeling what others are experiencing.

Why focus on Empathy? 

Empathy builds a positive classroom culture and strengthens their relationships with others. It also prepares your students to be leaders in their community.

Newsletters eng/spanish

 

Self-Direct (October)

October- Self Direction: 

This month, we're challenging students to envision future goals and take intentional steps toward who they want to be. We want to team up with parents to help grow and develop your child's ability to self-direct. We can model self-direction by celebrating the positive in each day, seeking the good in others, and emphasizing our responsibility to make positive choices.

November- Teamwork

This month, we’re challenging students to work together toward a common goal and shared purpose. We are partnering with you to grow and develop teamwork in your child. We can do this by modeling gratefulness, acknowledging positive moments, and affirming each other. Use this month’s activities to practice working together and celebrate your family as a team. 

 

Responsibility (December)

This month, we're challenging students to reflect on their experiences and take responsibility for how they choose to learn and grow from these experiences. We want to partner with parents to grow and develop your child's sense of responsibility.

Respect (January)

This month, we’re focusing on respect, which comes in many forms: respect for life, for property, for parents, for elders, for nature, and the beliefs and rights of others. Respect includes being courteous, as well as respecting yourself by avoiding self-criticism. We can model respect for how we speak to and treat children.

Kindness (February)

This month, we challenge your child to be kind to others, even when it's hard. We want to partner with parents to help children grow and develop a sense of kindness.

Courage (March)

This month, we are focusing on helping students understand that courage is not a magical remedy for fear. Instead, courage is a choice to push through fear, self-doubt, and anxiety to do things that feel hard or frightening. We want to partner with you to grow your child's courage. This month's activities will help your child understand that courage can equip them to make a positive impact at home, in school, and in the community.

Perseverance (April)

This month, we are challenging students to work hard and stay determined. We are partnering with you to acknowledge your child’s achievement of goals- big and small! By helping your child develop perseverance now, you can prepare them to learn from their future failures and work hard to achieve future successes. This month, look for opportunities to teach and model the power of perseverance!

Integrity (May)

This month, we are challenging students to choose to do the right thing, no matter who is watching. We each aim to live with the ability and willingness to exist with honesty and excellence. As parents, you play a vital role in this journey. As you do this month's CKH activities, look for opportunities to celebrate your child's integrity and character growth.