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Northwoods Elementary highlights kindergarten 'sense of belonging' as enrollment rises
Summary
At the March 10 Wayzata Public Schools board meeting, Northwoods Elementary staff outlined programs launched to increase kindergarten family engagement and student belonging, citing a 95% positive response on a student engagement measure and a series of orientation events from January through August.
Northwoods Elementary staff presented a multi-event approach to kindergarten onboarding at the Wayzata Public Schools Board of Education meeting on March 10, emphasizing building a “sense of belonging” for students and families.
The presentation, led by Northwoods principal Jenny Berg and supported by Superintendent Chase Anderson and kindergarten teachers, outlined a year-long sequence of events meant to familiarize children and families with school routines and staff. Jenkins and the Northwoods team said the district uses the Minnesota Department of Education’s guidance and the district strategic roadmap to shape the work.
“We often talk about building a strong community,” Jenny Berg said during the spotlight. She described specific events — a January “Get Ready for K” enrollment event, a May “Hike Through Northwoods” for incoming kindergarteners, a bus ridership night, a two-day Jumpstart program, and one-on-one “Hopes and Dreams” conferences held before school starts — designed to reduce anxiety and help families connect with teachers and support staff.
Superintendent Chase Anderson told the board Northwoods selected a student-experience goal tied to a district engagement survey item about whether school adults help students “feel good about who I am.” He said that, based on the January survey, 95% of Northwoods students responded “always” or “almost always” to that question.
Kindergarten teachers described how specific activities support the goal. Madison Cox outlined the Hike Through Northwoods map that introduces families to cafeteria staff and the nurse’s office and gives children a chance to explore a classroom. Peyton Humiller described Jumpstart as a condensed, child-focused two- or three-hour day that helps children learn morning routines, read-aloud time, and playground expectations. Jenna Quick said the Hopes and Dreams conferences create time for families to meet the teacher and discuss individual priorities before school begins.
Northwoods staff also credited district teams — communications, the welcome center and Community Education — for helping the events run smoothly. They invited board members to attend future events and said the programs rely on partnerships across the district.
The board responded with appreciation. Director Dan Genestra praised the connection between the school’s events and district goals, while Director Sheila Pryor and others thanked staff for the emphasis on family engagement.
The presentation closed with video clips of kindergarten students naming what makes them feel good at school — friends, teachers and feeling safe — which the Northwoods team said reflected the impact of their community-building work.
Board members were invited to attend upcoming events; no formal action or vote was taken on the presentation itself.
