Originally published on 4/21/21
Seven Alvin ISD campuses were surprised with the announcement they had been selected as Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools for the 2020-2021 school year. Alvin Elementary, Wilder Elementary, Meridiana Elementary, EC Mason Elementary, Passmore Elementary, Stevenson Primary, and Pomona Elementary were all chosen for the honor. The award celebrates campuses across the nation that go above and beyond in building a safe and welcoming environment where students are relationally connected and eager to learn. Out of the near 130,930 K-12 schools in the U.S., only 325 were chosen as Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools.
For over three decades, Capturing Kids’ Hearts has brought tools to thousands of campuses nationwide that equip teachers, coaches, administrators, and district leaders to implement transformational processes focused on cultivating student-connectedness, improving school culture, and fostering social-emotional learning. These processes are designed to directly impact every aspect of a school community. Capturing Kids’ Hearts is proud to recognize campuses implementing these processes with measurable results that are making a difference in the lives of students.
Meridiana Elementary
“The most important thing we can do for our kids is to foster a relationship with them, so they trust us. I always want students, teachers, and our parents to feel they are a part of a school family here at Meridiana. Being named a National Showcase school for Capturing Kids' Hearts for the third year in a row, speaks volumes to the fact that we are a family. It doesn't stop here, however, I know we still have work to do to not only maintain that status, but to live it out to the best we can. I am so proud of Meridiana!” – Julie Weiss, Principal, Meridiana Elementary
Passmore Elementary
“We truly do embrace the belief that by building strong relationships and supporting each other, we can accomplish even our wildest dreams. We encourage our students and each other to keep dreaming and achieving and, more importantly, to keep looking for ways to make others' lives better! This is the Passmore way, and being named a Capturing Kids Hearts Campus means that not only do we believe this, but that we are doing this. We are honored to be recognized for the fourth year and we will continue to capture our students' hearts and minds!” - Natalie Hoskins, Principal, Passmore Elementary
Wilder Elementary
"Being recognized as a Capturing Kids Hearts Showcase School makes me extremely proud to be a part of the Wilder community! Our teachers and staff do a phenomenal job creating a family environment in their classrooms, where students feel loved, which enables them to take risks in their learning. This community culture spreads to the interactions the staff have with one another, as well as with guests who visit our school. People often comment on our school culture after visiting our campus, and I attribute this to the time and commitment our staff has placed on implementing Capturing Kids Hearts each year." – Stacie VanLoenen, Principal, Wilder Elementary
EC Mason Elementary
“I am overjoyed E.C. Mason has been selected as a Capturing Kids' Hearts campus this fifth year in a row! It is an awesome accomplishment. Capturing Kids' Hearts is a powerful movement. It has transformed the way we run our campus and how we interact with all of our students. The best part is the program's emphasis on developing meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, and every person we come in contact with. I feel grateful to have the experiences that CKH has exposed me to. It has changed my life in such a positive way.” – Monique Gadson, Principal, EC Mason Elementary
Pomona Elementary
“Being a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase Campus means our teachers and staff are dedicated to building positive relationships with our students, with each other, and with our parents and community. We are honored to have been selected from many campuses across the U.S. This just proves our dedication to our Pirate Family - students, staff, parents, community, and district! Our staff truly loves what they do, and it shows each and every day. We strive to capture our Pirates' hearts so we can capture their minds. Go Pirates!” – Victoria Kwan, Principal, Pomona Elementary
Alvin Elementary
“Everything centers around relationships. Building relationships with students contributes to their emotional, social, and academic growth. If students feel loved and supported, they will learn by leaps and bounds.” – Karla Klyng, Principal, Alvin Elementary
Stevenson Primary
"It is such an honor to be named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Campus. Because of the rigor of the evaluation process, this award is both a high aspiration and an exemplary recognition of excellence. This honor reflects our commitment to making everyone who is served by Stevenson Primary feel welcome and part of our Stevenson family. This year has been challenging, and the strong partnership built with parents to ensure the safety, social growth, and academic growth of our students, their children, has been more important than ever. In many ways this has been a year of blessings, not the least of which has been the dedication to working together and supporting each other. Thank you to everyone in the Stevenson community for making this possible." - Dixie Jones, Principal, Stevenson Primary