CASE STUDY
How Kikori SEL and PBIS Are Transforming Our School
At Parkview Elementary, social-emotional learning and behavior expectations aren’t separate - they work hand-in-hand to create a school-wide culture where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
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Watch Parkview Elementary's Kikori Story
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Experiential SEL as a Foundation
Over the past three years, the school has fully integrated Kikori SEL into morning meetings, small groups, and classroom routines, all aligned with the school’s PBIS pillars. The result? A consistent, engaging, and practical approach to teaching students how to manage emotions, interact respectfully, and make positive choices. Assistant Principal, Kelly Lach sees the difference Kikori has made firsthand:
kelly lach, principal
“Students now use the same SEL language in Kindergarten that they would in fifth or sixth grade. They’re learning to stop and think when they’re upset and work through problems with each other before behavior escalates.”
Resetting the Tone
Students are developing a shared vocabulary for emotions and behavior, and even on challenging days, Kikori helps reset the tone.
At Parkview, SEL isn’t abstract - it’s experiential, interactive, and immediately applicable, laying the foundation for every student’s success.
“Sometimes students come in on a bad day, pouting or frustrated, but by the time we start Morning Meeting, they’re engaged, smiling, participating. Kikori pulls them out of that mood within minutes,” notes Ashley Finocchio, who teaches an ES class at Parkview.
A Vision for Every Student
At the heart of Parkview’s approach is a commitment to the whole child, blending PBIS values with hands-on social-emotional learning. The school’s PBIS pillars - Honesty, Fairness, Caring, Responsibility, Respect, Trustworthiness, and Citizenship - are not just words on a poster; they are woven into daily routines.
Kindergarten teacher Danielle Harding reflects:
“With Kikori, we don’t just talk about emotions—we act them out, play with them, and practice them. Even my youngest students are learning cues for feelings like anger or happiness, and they’re figuring out how to respond in real time.”
Meanwhile, Lindsey Sambucci, who teaches in the Resource Room, notes that students with higher behavioral needs thrive with the sensory, hands-on nature of Kikori:
Lindsey sambucci- resource:
“My students can’t sit through a lecture - they need to move, to touch, to interact. Kikori lets us do that while teaching essential social skills, and it keeps them engaged from start to finish.”
Students are encouraged to earn PBIS points by demonstrating focus skills like Responsibility or Caring. Those who reach the monthly benchmark are celebrated in PBIS events, turning positive behavior into joyful, shared experiences.
ashley Finocchio
“It’s amazing to see two opposite personalities come together and help each other. That’s something huge,” Pinocchio adds. “Those small moments of connection are exactly what SEL is about.”
Experiential SEL in Action
Parkview’s teachers use Kikori’s Tiers 1-3 Experiential Connection Calendar in Morning Meetings, small groups, and targeted interventions. Every day includes movement, storytelling, reflection, and interactive games. One favorite is the “Emotion Party”: students enter a room acting out a specific emotion while classmates identify it and practice responding empathetically.
“The beauty of Kikori is that it’s hands-on and ADHD-friendly,” Harding notes. “Students never know what’s coming next—it keeps them excited and engaged every single day.”
Kindergarteners engage with daily prompts and quick games that reinforce self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, and responsible decision-making, while older students use scenario-based challenges to practice problem-solving and collaboration.
“It’s playful, but they’re learning so much,” Finocchio explains. “Some students who struggle socially really light up in that moment, and the others are learning empathy without even realizing it.”
Supporting Teachers and the School Community
For the educators, Kikori is more than just a curriculum - it’s a lifesaver in planning and implementation. Lessons, slides, printables, and activity ideas are all fully editable, allowing teachers to personalize content for their classroom.
Kikori also ties directly into school-wide behavior goals, supporting initiatives like PBSIS. Lessons reinforce expectations in the cafeteria, hallways, and classrooms, helping students internalize SEL skills while building a positive, consistent school culture.
“It’s made my life so much easier,” Finocchio says. “I can tweak a morning message, add student names, or reframe an activity. The resources are there, but I get to make them my own.”
“Kikori has given teachers a uniform, easy-to-use approach to SEL. It makes expectations clear, provides differentiation for every student, and ensures consistency across the building. For me, it’s a tool to support teachers and reach every child—especially those with high needs.”-
Assistant Principal Kelly Lach emphasizes the school-wide impact:
A Culture of Care and Connection
The integration of PBIS and Kikori SEL has reshaped how Parkview students interact with each other. From morning meetings to small group interventions, the language and skills learned in one classroom are mirrored across the school, creating a shared understanding of emotions and social behavior.
“Students now stop and think before they react,” Lach notes. “They’re practicing empathy, problem-solving, and self-regulation every day, and the growth is visible from third grade all the way through sixth.”
“You see them using the skills they learn, even when you don’t prompt them. It’s subtle, but it’s everywhere.”
Finocchio adds.
“It’s the moments where the strong personalities step in to help the quieter students, where kids cheer each other on at PBIS events - that’s the heart of what we’re building here,” Sambucci says.
Teachers see it too:
Looking Ahead
For Parkview Elementary, Kikori SEL is not a one-off program—it’s a daily cornerstone of school culture. Teachers continue to explore new activities, experiment with games and morning meeting routines, and celebrate student growth.
“I would absolutely recommend Kikori to other schools,” Lach concludes. “It’s practical, interactive, and effective. Most importantly, it teaches kids the skills they need to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically - and it supports our teachers in doing that every single day.”
Through the combined power of Kikori SEL and PBIS, Parkview Elementary shows how thoughtful, hands-on social-emotional learning can empower students, support teachers, and transform an entire school community.
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With three years of collaboration between Tuftonboro School and Kikori, Bridges Day has grown from a transition event to a transformational experience. Next year’s focus? Keep what works — and turn up the connection.
Read the study
Through a district-wide partnership with Kikori, LYSD has brought social-emotional learning (SEL) to life in a way that honors Yupik traditions, uplifts student voices, and fosters resilience. This is the story of how a rural district turned SEL into a pathway for healing, growth, and community revival.
At Griffin Memorial, “students thrive when they feel connected, supported, and known”. With a commitment to the Responsive Classroom approach, Griffin educators set out to create classrooms where students don’t just learn academic skills, but also build empathy, resilience, and community.
