Flippen gets students aiming high with Capturing Kids Hearts

WASILLA – Wasilla High and Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer were both named 2015-2016 Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) National Showcase Schools. There were only 11 chosen across the country.

CKH founder Flip Flippen visited both schools Tuesday where he shared his message with a group of select students from each. He brought with him his message of developing and encouraging positive interactions between students, individuals and more.

CKH’s goal is to strengthen academic performance, test scores and healthy bonds in students while increasing teacher retention and job satisfaction. At the same time, his presentation is aimed at reducing negative behaviors, truancy, and discipline issues.

Earning the national award is not an easy process. It goes to schools and support staff that daily go the extra mile to build campuses where trust, respect, and caring relationships flourish and academic achievement skyrockets as a result. Of the hundreds of CKH campuses nationwide, only the “cream of the crop” earned national status each year.

That recognition is based the level of implementation CKH processes by all staff as measured with online surveys and data that supports the program has made a significant impact in campus. That impact includes attendance, discipline, climate-culture and academics. An internal Flippen Group team reviews the data to determine if the campus is eligible for a site visit. Passing that mark, both area schools visited by CKH education team leaders to gather addition information.

The site team interviews various groups, including students, teachers, administrators, and parents. They also use a matrix to gather information during a campus walk-through and conduct an additional survey to gather feedback regarding the perceived climate and culture of the campus. Lastly, the Flippen selection team meet to review all data and select the top campuses across the country.

One of the main focuses of the program is building social contracts between staff and students. It focuses on how one would want to be treated. At Wasilla High School, the day begins with handshakes.

Former WHS principal Amy Spargo, in attendance during Flippen’s visit, said that handshaking is an easy gauge of a person’s feelings. It also allows staff be more aware of possible problems.

WHS science and language teacher Alicia Lane stated she felt the best thing about the program is the effect it has had on students. Since the program was brought to WHS, she felt students are very positive and kind to each other and she believes implementation of social contracts is directly responsible for that. Social contracts are simply an agreement between participants on how they would like to be treated.

During his WHS visit, Flippen actively engaged staff and students alike. The Texas native said there are roughly 60 million school children in schools across the country. He noted that the CKH program envelops three million of those. He challenged the group to focus on commitment and seemed to strongly adhere to the belief that today’s youth are America’s future.

“I’m not the best because I’m the biggest and the brightest,” Flippen said. “I’m committed. We need to bring out the best in every person we meet…If you have integrity but don’t have courage, you’re not a leader. Integrity without courage is simply personal goodness, not leadership. There are things worth fighting for. You’ve got to stand up and put your ‘big boy’ pants on…cowboy up!”

He encouraged the students present, part of the three million CKH core group, to think larger.

“Three million can become five and five can become 10 million,” Flippen said. “At 13 million, we can change America. That’s what I believe…Always ask for forgiveness when your wrong.”

In closing, Flippen said the students’ future doesn’t rely on the question of what you can do, but rather what you can be.

“People don’t fail because of their inability, they fail because they don’t have the mindset,” Flippen stated. “I’m looking for you guys to have it!”