At Lake George CSD , the first few weeks of the school year are about more than just reviewing curriculum and diving into academics, they are about building the strong relationships that make teaching and learning possible.
Before students even step into classrooms, the district prioritizes connection and comfort. Both the Elementary School and the Jr.-Sr. High School host New Student Welcome Days, designed to help students who are new to the district find their way and meet new faces.
At the Jr.-Sr. High School, the building itself opens two weeks before classes begin, giving students time to familiarize themselves with the space, try out their lockers, and walk through their schedules. Seventh graders, making the big transition into the new building, attend an orientation where they meet their teachers, learn expectations, and start forming connections that will carry them through the year.
“Through our guide room model, each student is paired with one adult they connect with every day. This ensures that every student is consistently seen and supported, not just for a single year, but throughout all their years here. This helps to build strong, lasting relationships between students and staff,” explained Francis Cocozza, Jr.-Sr. High School Principal.
Ryan Seymour, a Jr.-Sr. High School math teacher, begins the year with a creative activity that helps his students get to know him right away.
“I created an ‘About Me’ quiz and students have to guess the (numerical) answers. It’s a fun, silly activity that helps break the ice, while also letting them see me as a real person. I think by creating this comfortability, it makes the transition to a new building a little easier.”
Other teachers focus on giving students opportunities to share their own experiences. Erin Connelly, a high school art teacher, starts her classes by encouraging students to talk about their summer.
“When students share something personal, whether it’s a trip, a hobby, or just a story about their family, it opens the door for connection,” Connelly said. “It makes the classroom feel like a community, which is exactly what we want in those first weeks.”
At the elementary level, teachers are invested in building trust and comfort from day one. Classroom routines, morning meetings, and team-building activities give the youngest students opportunities to feel seen and valued.
Brian Thomsen, a fifth grade teacher, explained, “I try to get to know each student right away, and I make a point to call and welcome their parents, too. We do silent scavenger hunts, fun activities, and have lots of getting to know each other conversations. Honestly, just talking to kids is the most important thing; it sets the tone for everything else.”
For the youngest learners, connection starts with play and discovery. Pre-K teacher Alayna Lavigne uses stories and activities to help her students learn about themselves and one another.
“We play circle games to learn each other’s names, read lots of stories about starting school, and dive into an ‘All About Me’ unit,” Lavigne said. “It’s all about talking about who we are and what makes us special.”
James Conway, Lake George Elementary School Principal, added that building relationships goes beyond the classroom walls.
“A lot happens in classrooms, but the truth is no learning happens unless kids feel safe and connected. “That’s why we spend time in conversations and circles, and we make sure to meet with all students, even in the cafeteria or hallways. Just being visible, checking in, and letting them know we’re excited they’re here makes a difference. That safety and comfort is the foundation for learning.”
From scavenger hunts to icebreakers, from story-sharing to group challenges, Lake George educators and staff are united in their belief that teaching is first and foremost about relationships. The district’s intentional focus on creating opportunities for students and staff to connect, before, during, and after the first day, reflects a simple truth: strong relationships lead to strong learning.