CARE is the set of school-wide practices that create a safe, connected environment for children and adults.

Our beliefs:

• Students must feel safe and cared for in order to learn.

• The quality of the teacher-student relationship is the most important in-school factor for learning. Strong relationships lessen the impact of stress on the brain.

• We learn best when we practice skills frequently, with focus, and across multiple contexts.

• The patterns of behavior among adults influence the patterns of behavior among children.

• We must actively care for each other so that we can actively care for our children.

Our Approach to Compassion & Assertiveness

We are intentional about our own behavior. We build trusting relationships with students and consistently model, teach, and practice the skills that we most want them to learn.

Specific strategies:

• Maintaining Composure

• Language of Safety: Proactive & Responsive

• Language of Empathy

• Language of Community & Learning

Our Approach to Routines

We use consistent routines to:

• Foster safety (through predictability)

• Explicitly teach and practice SEL skills

• Give students greater ownership of the class

• Free up mental energy to focus on learning

Specific strategies:

• Strong Start Morning Routine

• Classroom Jobs

• Consistent Routines

Our Approach to Environment

We design a physical environment that:

• Is warm and welcoming

• Meets students’ physical needs as well as academic, social, and emotional needs

• Is owned by students

• Minimizes stimuli that may overwhelm or trigger students.

Specific strategies:

• Classroom Design

• Centering Space