East Union awarded Casey’s grant for ‘Capturing Kids’ Hearts’

East Union Community Schools was awarded a $2,500 grant to further one of its missions: to build staff-student relationships with the goal of increased student achievement.

Last fall, East Union Director of Student Services Chris King and two additional counselors attended a training program, “Capturing Kids’ Hearts.” Now, the trio wants to share what they have learned with the rest of the staff. King hopes grant from Casey’s will be used to train additional staff prior to the rollout of the program at East Union, slated for Fall 2021.

“It’s basically a program that’s supposed to increase student connectedness to the school and the staff, making them enjoy school more and want to be there,” said King.

King said the program has data to to not only show the increase of student achievement, but attendance and graduation rates, as well. Additionally, it has been shown to decrease disciplinary referrals. He believes the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program complements the social-emotional learning curriculum East Union is implementing across its schools.

King said personnel who attend the training in Grand Rapids, Michigan, become certified in the program, but a certification isn’t necessarily needed to learn the program. He is going to attempt to use the money to bring a trainer to East Union so that all staff can benefit from the techniques taught.

“We could teach them the entire system and what they are supposed to do, the different in-class activities they should participate in, how they should address students and their behavior and how they can build those relationships to a higher level,” said King.

King said there are different points teachers learn in the CKH program – from simple interactions such as direct eye contact, learning a child’s name or offering a high-five or handshake, to more complex techniques that involve strategies to identify and connect with different types of personalities. As some teachers have a natural ability to connect easily with their students, others might struggle at times. His hope is to make every teacher excel at building interpersonal relationships.

“Can you imagine your school if every teacher was to do that and how much different you’d feel about coming to school each day?” asked King. “We’ve got kids who don’t want to come to school because they feel like they don’t belong like that. It’s like trying to lead a horse to water that isn’t thirsty.

King said he sees the benefit of enhancing the culture on campus to show school is a fun and safe place.

“Teachers want you here and we want the students to want to be here, too,” he said.