The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District has been named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase District, a significant milestone in our commitment to creating safe and nurturing learning environments for all students.
Austin Elementary, Zavala Elementary, and Crockett Middle School received the 2024–2025 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School award. With three schools holding the title, PBTISD has earned the esteemed distinction of becoming a Showcase District.
“We are extremely proud of Austin, Zavala, and Crockett for receiving this distinction from Capturing Kids’ Hearts,” said Superintendent Brent Jaco. “This signifies our district’s commitment to fulfilling our goal of providing safe and nurturing learning environments. This could not have been possible without our teachers and administrators' hard work and dedication at each campus.”
What Is Capturing Kids’ Hearts®?
Capturing Kids’ Hearts is a nationally recognized program created by the Flippen Group that helps educators strengthen relationships with students and build a positive school culture. The program provides training and tools to help staff connect with students, manage behavior in healthy ways, and create classrooms where everyone feels safe, respected, and ready to learn.
At the heart of CKH are practices such as:
Greeting students at the door with a handshake or fist bump to start the day with a connection.
Creating a social contract in every classroom, where students and teachers agree on how they will treat one another.
Using “good things” to start each day or lesson by sharing something positive.
Affirmations, where students and staff build each other up with kind words and encouragement.
These simple but powerful tools create school environments where students are more engaged, feel cared for, and grow both academically and emotionally.
Our CKH Journey at PBTISD
PBTISD first introduced Capturing Kids’ Hearts districtwide in 2023. Over the last three years, our educators have been trained in the CKH process and have integrated its practices into daily classroom life. From morning greetings to campus-wide social contracts, you can feel the difference as soon as you walk into our schools.
The journey has been one of growth, reflection, and celebration, and this national recognition shows just how far we’ve come.
To earn the National Showcase School award, campuses undergo a rigorous evaluation process. This includes measuring culture and climate indicators, reviewing student, parent, and staff feedback surveys, and monitoring implementation of CKH practices. Schools that meet these high standards are selected for demonstrating excellence in creating strong connections and a caring learning environment!
Celebrating Our Staff
The Showcase District honor belongs to the educators and leaders who bring these ideas to life. Every greeting, every affirmation, and every act of care builds a stronger school.
As we continue this work, we invite our families and community to join us in celebrating CKH's impact in PBTISD. Together, we are building schools where every child feels seen, heard, and supported.
To learn more about Capturing Kids’ Hearts, visit capturingkidshearts.org.