Social Emotional Learning at Zapata Academy

Zapata SEL Vision and Mission Statement

The Zapata Culture and Climate Team Mission and Vision is to provide the school community with the foundation for lifelong social, emotional, and academic learning in a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Matrix of Expected Behaviors

Modelo de Comportamiento Esperado 
Schoolwide 

Be Respectful
  • Be respectful of all adults and students in the school
  • Allow for other points of view
  • Resolve conflict peacefully
  • Listen while others are speaking
  • Use quiet voices
  • Respect school materials
  • Keep school and grounds clean. Don’t litter 

Be Safe
  • Report unsafe things you observe
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself and face forward
  • Walk, don’t run
  • Tie your shoes
  • Leave non-educational items at home 

​Be Caring 
  • Use kind words and actions
  • Be helpful and help those that need it
  • Take turns
  • Be polite
  • Take care of school materials
  • Keep learning spaces clean 

Be Here, Be Ready
  • Be in uniform
  • Get enough sleep
  • Be on time
  • Bring needed supplies to all classes
  • Do your homework
  • Try your best
  • Practice good hygiene
  • No cellphones
En toda la escuela 

Ser Respetuoso
  • Ser respetuoso con todos los adultos en la escuela
  • Permite otros puntos de vista
  • Resolver el conflicto en paz
  • Poner atención cuando otros hablan
  • Usa voces bajas
  • Respetar los materiales de la escuela
  • Mantener la escuela y los jardines limpios. No tirar basura 

Ser Cuidadoso
  • Reportar las cosas inseguras que observes
  • Manténer los pies y manos contigo, no sobre los demás y cara hacia adelante
  • Camina, no corras
  • Amarrar las agujetas de tus zapatos con doble nudo
  • Dejar las cosas que no sean educativas en casa 

Ser Amable
  • Ser amable con palabras y tu actitud 
  • Ser servicial. Ayuda a quien lo necesite 
  • Toma turnos
  • Ser educado
  • Cuidar los materiales de la escuela
  • Manténer los espacios de aprendizaje limpios

Estár aquí, Estár listo
  • Estar en uniforme
  • Dormir lo suficiente
  • Ser puntual
  • Traer todos tus útiles escolares que necesites a todas las clases
  • Terminar tu tarea
  • Dar lo mejor de ti
  • Prácticar buena higiene personal
  • No traigas teléfonos celulares ​

Zapata Warriors of the Month


​A Zapata Warrior demonstrates all four components of the Zapata Matrix of Expected Behaviors:

  • Be Respectful (e.g. treat staff and peers with respect, appreciate differing points of view, listen actively, use healthy conflict resolution strategies, respect school property)
  • Be Safe (e.g. keep hands and feet to yourself, report unsafe things you observe, wear your mask)
  • Be Caring (e.g. use kind words and actions, be helpful, be polite, take turns)
  • Be Here/Be Ready (e.g. try your best, arrive on time to school, do your homework)

Purpose of Warriors of the Month
The SEL/Culture and Climate Committee is recommending the Zapata Warrior of the Month celebration as a Tier 1 support to encourage positive school behavior.

Selection of Warriors of the Month 
ANY Zapata student that consistently demonstrates the above four components of the Zapata Matrix of Expected Behaviors can be selected as a Warrior of the Month. Each homeroom teacher will select 2-3 students per homeroom each month.

Recognizing Zapata Warriors of the Month
Warriors of the Month will be recognized on the first of the following month during the morning announcements by Student Voice Committee members. The monthly list of Warriors of the Month will also be posted on the Zapata website. Based on student feedback gathered by the Student Voice Committee, Warriors of the Month have the option to take a photo with a group, individually, or opt out of taking the photo. These photos will be featured on a monthly bulletin board in the main hallway of the school and posted on the website.  

Celebrating Zapata Warriors of the Month
Students will be celebrated and recognized in the following ways: a certificate with homework pass, extra 25 minute recess (date will be announced), an out of uniform day (date will be announced) where students can wear jeans and the Zapata spirit t-shirt. Zapata Warriors of the Month with perfect attendance for the month will receive a Zapata t-shirt.

2025 Zapata T-Shirt Contest Participants & Finalists

2025 Zapata Matrix Poster Contest Participants & Finalists

2025 SEL Day Classroom Contest

2024 Zapata T-Shirt Contest Participants & Finalists

SEL Poster Contest Winners 2023 - What is a Zapata Warrior?

2023-2024 Zapata Warriors of the Month

2022-2023 Zapata Warriors of the Month

2021-2022 Zapata Warriors of the Month

Zapata Matrix Poster Contest Winners - Spring 2018


Thank you to all students who participated! There were 102 entries and many wonderful examples of following the Matrix.

Matrix of Expected Behaviors

Remote Learning: School Wide

Be Respectful
  • Be respectful of all adults and students in school and at home
  • Listen while others are speaking
  • Allow for other points of view
  • Resolve conflict peacefully
  • Take care of school materials (school Chromebooks and iPads)
  • Keep microphone muted until asked to participate 

Be Safe
  • Follow internet safety rules
  • Report unsafe things you observe
  • Wash your hands
  • Wear a mask when outside of your home
  • Follow social distancing

Be Caring
  • Use kind words and actions
  • Be helpful and help those that need it
  • Take turns
  • Be polite
  • Take care of school materials
  • Keep learning spaces clean
  • Stay in one place during virtual learning

Be Here, Be Ready
  • Get enough sleep
  • Find a comfortable spot for remote learning
  • Be on time for all classes
  • Attend all remote learning classes
  • Stay on the Google Meet for the entire class
  • Keep the camera on during classes
  • Bring needed supplies to all classes
  • Face forward during online classes
  • Limit distractions
  • Do all your work
  • Try your best
  • Practice good hygiene

Modelo de Comportamiento Esperado 

Aprendizaje remoto: toda la escuela

Ser Respetuoso
  • Sea respetuoso con todos los adultos y estudiantes en la escuela y en el hogar
  • Escuche mientras otros hablan
  • Permitir otros puntos de vista
  • Resolver conflictos pacíficamente
  • Cuida los materiales escolares (Chromebooks y iPads escolares)
  • Mantenga el micrófono en silencio hasta que se le solicite participar

Ser Cuidadoso
  • Siga las reglas de seguridad de Internet
  • Informe las cosas inseguras que observe
  • Lávese las manos
  • Use una máscara cuando esté fuera de su casa
  • Seguir el distanciamiento social

Ser Amable
  • Usa palabras y acciones amables
  • Sea útil y ayude a quienes lo necesiten
  • Turnarse
  • Ser cortés
  • Cuida los materiales escolares
  • Mantener limpios los espacios de aprendizaje
  • Quédate en tu propio espacio durante clases virtuales

Estar aquí, Estar listo
  • Dormir lo suficiente
  • Encuentre un lugar cómodo para el aprendizaje remoto
  • Llegue a tiempo a todas las clases 
  • Asiste a todas las clases de aprendizaje remoto
  • Permanezca en Google Meet durante toda la clase 
  • Mantén la cámara encendida durante las clases
  • Lleva los útiles necesarios a todas las clases
  • Mira hacia adelante durante las clases en línea
  • Limita las distracciones
  • Haz todo tu trabajo
  • Haz tu mejor esfuerzo
  • Practique una buena higiene