At Pelican Elementary School, each morning begins with something simple yet powerful, a connection. From the moment students step onto school, staff members across the building model what Klamath Falls City Schools’ Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) initiative looks like in action. Pelican TOSA Shannon Kappas and clerical secretary Allison Phair greet students at the door and front office with smiles, waves, or fist bumps, offering a warm start to the day.
Inside second grade instructor Nichole Dotson’s classroom, the CKH approach is clear the moment breakfast trays hit the tables. Students settle in for “good things,”a daily practice where children can share something positive in their lives, from a fun moment at home to excitement about upcoming activities. It’s a calm, structured beginning that lets Dotson set the tone for the day while ensuring her students feel seen, valued and safe.
“Good things happens right with breakfast,” Pelican Dean of Students Brandon Powell said , explaining how CKH expectations guide morning routines.
“Teachers greet students when they come in, then within the first ten minutes they’re doing their good things. During that time, kids get to ask follow-up questions, and teachers celebrate what they share. It’s a chance to dig deeper and help students feel heard.”
Dotson’s classroom is a busy place as students chat quietly, breakfast wrappers crinkle but she navigates it with steady warmth as her voice moves between gentle reminders and affirmations.
“Thank you for having a bubble,” Dotson tells her class as she prepares them for the day’s expectations. When a student settles quietly on the carpet, she praises them immediately: “Great job. Excellent listening.”
Much of Dotson’s guidance is rooted in the class’s social contract, a CKH tool created collaboratively by students at the start of the year. The contract outlines how students want to treat each other and how they want to be treated in return. When behaviors slip, Dotson encourages students to use a “check,” a silent reminder students offer each other to refocus.
“It simply reminds them to think, ‘What am I doing? What do I need to be doing?’” Dotson tells her students. “Are you being a role model? Are you using kind words? It’s just a reminder to make sure you’re following our social contract.”
During CKH walkthroughs at Pelican Elementary, Powell said staff look for small but meaningful signs of connection.
“We’re asking, are teachers greeting every kid when they come in? Are they celebrating students during good things? Are they referencing the social contract in a positive way? These little things build the culture,” Powell said.
“Our staff are really good. They’re saying hi to kids who aren’t even theirs. Sometimes you’ll see kids getting hugs from their previous teachers or fist bumps from teachers they might have next year. It’s really cool. A kid might be having a bad day, but walking into Pelican, they’re getting all these positive hellos.”
In Dotson's classroom, that feeling plays out in countless small routines and students know the expectations. They know they’ll be listened to. They know good things matter.
Whether it’s sharing excitement about a toy, a family moment, or simply being ready for the day, Dotson responds with the same encouraging consistency: “I love that. Thank you for sharing,” Dotson said.
