GMSD hears Farmington principal on Capturing Kids' Hearts and approves related contract in consent agenda

The Germantown Municipal School District board heard a presentation May 19 from Farmington Elementary principal Ashley Brasfield on Capturing Kids' Hearts, a relationship-building framework, and approved a contract purchase for the program as part of the consent agenda.

Superintendent Manuel introduced the principal and framed the presentation as a district pilot that has shown measurable results at Farmington. "When you hear her talk about capturing kids' hearts and hear about the difference that it makes, I think it's important," Manuel said before Brasfield's remarks.

Principal Ashley Brasfield described Capturing Kids' Hearts as "a relationship-building framework that transforms classrooms into emotionally safe, high-performing learning environments." She told the board Farmington started implementation in August 2024, used a process-champion training model, received monthly coaching and an in-person traction visit from a strategist, and completed staff, student and family surveys the vendor supplies. Brasfield said Farmington received a vendor recognition as a "Rising Star School" based on survey results and implementation metrics. "Capturing Kids' Hearts has been the essence and what has defined my first year here at Farmington," she said during her presentation.

The presentation included examples of classroom practices (greeting students at the door, morning meetings, social contracts, scripted lessons, and a discipline model with four restorative questions) and the use of a campus implementation rubric and surveys to measure progress. Brasfield said process champions — teachers trained to lead the program within the building — now lead faculty meetings and classroom launches, and she urged the board to consider district-wide training. In the meeting Brasfield said: "We are going to embark on this across the district next year," describing the pilot's spread to other principals.

The program purchase was included on the consent agenda and was approved in that omnibus vote. Board member Jerry Ellis moved to approve all items on the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Board Member Mister Hendricks and then approved by roll call. The consent list specifically named the "Capturing Kids' Hearts contract purchase approval" among other items.

Board members praised the program's focus on emotional intelligence and student-staff connections during consent discussion. "If we as society took time to do just half of the things that are being taught through this program...we might be able to have some civility restored," one board member commented. Another noted the program's potential beyond a single school and thanked Principal Brasfield and Farmington parents for their work implementing it.

The consent vote carried unanimously; the meeting record lists the purchase as part of the approved omnibus consent items. The transcript and board packet include implementation materials (rubric, survey results, and lesson samples) that Brasfield referenced; the contract amount and district-level rollout schedule were not specified in the meeting discussion.