For Immediate Release – June 10, 2025
Glen Ridge primary schools are ‘Rising Stars’ in creating positive culture
Glen Ridge, NJ — Forest Avenue School, Central School, and Linden Avenue School have each been named Rising Star Schools by Capturing Kids’ Hearts, a national initiative focused on improving school climate and student relationships. The Rising Star award honors schools in their first year of implementation that show early, measurable progress in creating safe, supportive environments.
This recognition highlights the leadership of Dr. Keisha Harris (Central), Dr. Joseph A. Caravela (Linden), and Matthew Murphy (Forest), and the commitment of staff across all three PreK-2 schools. The district also credits the Glen Ridge Education Foundation for supporting the program’s launch.
“Even our youngest students are learning to lead with kindness and take responsibility for their words and actions,” said Murphy. “They greet one another, celebrate small wins, and remind each other of the expectations they’ve created together.”
Each school has introduced daily practices that help students feel connected and valued. These include personal greetings, sharing “Good Things,” collaborating to share classroom agreements (Social Contracts), and using simple reflection tools to support behavior and emotional awareness. Teachers report improved student engagement, stronger peer relationships and fewer behavioral issues.
At home, families also see a difference. Some children have started using the same reflection tools with siblings and even requested to create family Social Contracts.
“When students feel respected and safe, they’re better able to learn — and those habits start early,” said Caravela.
“Capturing Kids Hearts is a process that helps teachers to empower their students to create self-managing classrooms and relationships which set the foundation for learning. Students and staff learn not only how to engage with one another but also how to deal with conflict and that creates safety, trust and builds leadership skills which both can take away,” Harris added.
The district plans to continue training and expand this work in the years ahead, with the goal of earning Capturing Kids’ Hearts’ National Showcase School status, which is awarded through a rigorous selection process that includes measuring key performance indicators, gathering campus data, and surveying staff and students.
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