The first six weeks of school is a part of Responsive Classroom designed to create a strong foundation for a successful, relationship driven school year. Responsive Classroom names four overarching goals for the first six weeks:

1. Create a climate of warmth, inclusion, and safety.

2. Teach classroom routines and behavior expectations.

3. Help students get to know and care for the classroom and school environment.

4. Establish expectations for academic work.

JFK has used schedules like these for years, and this is an enhanced version. Each day, or set of days, includes an overview outlining the goals for that stretch. The schedules build in SEL goals, academic expectations, teaching the HEART expectations, and an introduction to RJ Circles woven into the first six weeks. RJ Circles continue throughout the rest of the year. These schedules are based on the 2026 published 3rd edition of The First Six Weeks of School by Responsive Classroom.

We know everyone has special pieces to their year that make each classroom unique, and there are open times built into your grade level schedule for exactly that. Before adding anything to your grade level schedule, please read the overview tab for that day or set of days first, and make sure what you are adding supports one of the stated goals. Cherished activities that don't align with the goals may need to wait until later in the year.

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