At Cypress Hills Community School (PS/IS 89), we believe in nurturing the whole child through our foundational Project CARE initiative. CARE, which stands for Communication, Accountability, Respect, and Effort forms the foundation of our approach to education, social-emotional learning, and school community.

Project CARE guides our daily interactions, instructional approaches, and disciplinary practices. We recognize that academic success flourishes when students feel emotionally secure, valued, and equipped with social-emotional skills. Through this framework, we cultivate a supportive learning environment where:

• Communication opens pathways for understanding and connection

• Accountability empowers students to take ownership of their actions and learning

• Respect fosters appreciation for our diverse community and individual differences

• Effort encourages persistence and growth mindset in all endeavors

Recognizing that many children face challenges outside the classroom, we implement trauma-informed practices throughout our school. Our educators receive specialized training to:

• Recognize signs of trauma and understand its impact on learning and behavior

• Create safe, predictable environments that minimize triggers

• Respond with empathy and appropriate support rather than punishment

• Build trusting relationships that promote healing and resilience

Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness is integrated into our daily routines, helping students develop awareness, focus, and emotional regulation. Through regular mindfulness exercises, students learn to:

• Identify and manage their emotions

• Improve attention and concentration

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Develop greater self-compassion and empathy for others

RULER Emotional Intelligence Framework

We proudly implement the RULER approach from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, teaching students to:

• Recognize emotions in themselves and others

• Understand the causes and consequences of emotions

• Label emotions accurately

• Express emotions appropriately

• Regulate emotions effectively

These skills provide students with lifelong tools for navigating complex social interactions and personal challenges.

Restorative Justice Practices

When conflicts arise, our restorative justice approach transforms these moments into opportunities for growth. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, we emphasize:

• Healing relationships through facilitated dialogue

• Understanding the impact of actions on the community

• Taking responsibility and making meaningful amends

• Collaborative problem-solving to prevent future issues

• Building stronger classroom communities through circles and conferences

 

At Cypress Hills Community School, Project CARE isn’t just a program—it’s our commitment to developing compassionate, resilient, and successful individuals prepared to thrive in school and beyond.