Many eyes have been on Clarke Elementary for weeks now, discipline and staff moral have been the discussion topics of various groups and meetings.
A poplular behavior management strategy which has been implimented in 25,911 schools is PBIS, Positive Behaviorl Interventions and Support. Behavior management strategies are research based strategies that guide all staff in the systems-wide way to deal with student behaviors.
Rather than impliment a behavior management strategy the elementary has been training staff in the Nurtured Heart Approach.
“...the Nurtured Heart Approach is not a behavior management system. Instead, it seeks to build the inner wealth of children by focusing adult energy on the positive behavior children exhibit, no matter how small,” said Jean Bahls Clarke Community School District’s curriculum director.
The Nurtured Heart Approach is defined as a mindset, using specific strategies for difficult or intense children.
The NHA does want educators and caregivers to be very clear with children about rules and expectations. There are immediate consequences to broken rules. Following the consequense, the slate is whiped clean for the child. Meaning, if they broke a rule early in the day the consequense is immediate, not brought on later in the day.
“The consequence, often, is the absence of the adult energy and interaction while the negative behavior is happening; although, larger behaviors may require larger, predetermined consequences. In every instance, the rule is absolutely clear and there are no warnings given - if a rule is broken, a “reset” (consequence) is given,” said Balhs.
About half the Clarke Elementary staff was trained in the Nurtured Heart Approach earlier this month. The remaining district staff will go through the same training in August. The training is a six-hour course.
Beth Comer, a Clarke first grade teacher and Jessie Sue McCoy, a Clarke second grade teacher have already begun to impliment the NHA in their classrooms and “are already seeing success,” said Bahls.
The Clarke Community School District is wanting to impliment the Nurtured Heart Approach in more than just the classroom. They will be holding NHA training for community memebers. The six-hour training will be broken up into three, two-hour sessions. The training will be free and free childcare will be provided during the training sessions. The community Nurtured Heart Approach training will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 25 and Mar. 4 with dinner before each session at 5 p.m. at the middle/high school building. The exact location will be determined based on the number of participants. All three sessions must be attended to complete the training.
Community members with questions and RSVP’s for the community NHA training may contact Jean Bahls at jbahls@clarke.k12.ia.us or 641-342-4221 ext. 549.
“I also believe that the Nurtured Heart Approach can benefit our entire community,” said Bahls. “It is a powerful approach that will help all of Clarke School District’s employees see, support and celebrate the greatness that exists in each and every one of our kids.