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Administrator’s Corner by Zack Kruger

At Lakeview Elementary, we recognize that student success extends beyond academics — social-emotional well-being is equally important. By partnering with families and caregivers, we create a supportive environment that nurtures students’ emotional growth and helps prevent bullying. Through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), students learn to manage emotions, build positive relationships and make responsible decisions. SEL is woven into our daily routines through weekly lessons, morning meetings and shared texts that reinforce these essential skills. When these practices are reinforced at home, students develop a stronger foundation for navigating social situations and expressing themselves in healthy ways.

Our SEL program is an ongoing journey of growth for students. Each week, students participate in focused lessons that explore various aspects of emotional learning, from empathy and self-regulation to conflict resolution. These lessons are integrated into our morning routines, where students gather for classroom meetings to practice respectful greetings, share thoughts and work together to solve problems. Additionally, staff incorporate extra lessons and use shared texts and real-life examples to spark discussions, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world situations.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and SEL plays a key role in fostering a respectful and inclusive environment at Lakeview. Throughout the month, we emphasize lessons focused on empathy, standing up for others and creating safe spaces for all students. We teach students how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts and support one another when challenges arise.

Families are key partners in this work — by modeling positive behavior and encouraging open conversations at home, we can continue building a strong community where every child feels safe, supported and valued.

Zack Kruger is the Lakeview Elementary School principal.