Knapp Forest Elementary highlights ‘pride packs,’ early-bird recess and student community initiatives

Knapp Forest Elementary principal Lisa Rodell and school supervisor Ross Gelder presented an instructional highlight on April 20, telling the Forest Hills Board of Education about school traditions and recent initiatives aimed at increasing student belonging.

Rodell said the school relies on traditions such as the annual hawk walk, author visits, art night and classroom buddies to build community. "When students feel connected, when they have a sense of belonging, and when they have a sense of community, they're more likely to engage in their learning at a higher level and ultimately achieve at a higher level," she told trustees.

Gelder described two new, data-driven initiatives designed to expand cross-grade relationships and social skills: "pride packs," month-long, teacher-led groups that mix junior kindergarten through fifth-grade students so they keep the same group over multiple years, and a 15-minute early-bird recess that serves as a soft start where students can choose to play, eat breakfast together, or use a sensory room.

Rodell and Gelder showed photos of student work, explained sensory-room activities (including use of the comfort dog Bronx), and outlined family engagement events—literacy nights, math nights and a PTO carnival—that help tie community involvement to academics. Board members praised the turnout and the school's approach to turning survey feedback into practice.

The presentation closed with a short question-and-answer period; trustees asked about program evaluation, and presenters said the initiatives will be monitored and refined based on student feedback.