CASE STUDY
Riverside Elementary School
Cultivating a Compassionate Community Where Every Child Thrives
Watch Riverside Elementary's Kikori Story
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A Powerful Transformation
At Riverside Elementary in Jackson, MN, a powerful transformation is underway. Led by Principal Kim Meyer and a dedicated team, the school is becoming a place where every child feels seen, heard, and supported. Through consistent SEL and integrated PBIS practices, educators are meeting students where they are and helping them grow.
A Vision Rooted in Compassion and Practicality
“Our dedicated staff is fully committed to supporting students in every way—to meet them where they’re at and help them grow.”
KIM MYER, PRINCIPAL
24% Fewer Behavioral Referrals
Driving Positive Change
Together, Riverside’s staff have built a community where kindness is celebrated and modeled daily. Most “Huskies of the Week” are recognized for kindness and respect—values that flow through every hallway and playground.
“It’s not just about fewer behavior referrals,” Kim Meyer emphasizes. “It’s about kids understanding empathy and responsibility. They’re learning how their actions affect others.”
266
minor behavioral referrals dropped within months—leading to 226 fewer disruptions and a more engaged student body.
Meaningful
Connections
Seeking a meaningful connection between PBIS and SEL, Riverside’s leadership recognized the need for a program that was both engaging and easy for teachers to implement—something that could be embedded in daily routines without overwhelming educators. Kikori, introduced by a fellow principal from a nearby middle school, fit the bill perfectly.
“I teach Growth Mindset throughout the year—Kikori helps reinforce that with hands-on experiences.”
“Kikori gave us intentional, daily opportunities for morning meetings where students could build community and relationships, helping them feel valued across the school,” says Kim.
Bridging PBIS and SEL: The Heart of Riverside’s Success
Riverside’s PBIS framework is built on the BARK traits:
Be respectful, Act responsibly, Remember safety, and Kindness counts. Kikori’s daily activities reinforce these values with hands-on lessons, greetings, and discussions that extend far beyond the classroom.
“We always start our day with a Kikori morning meeting. It makes them think of the positives and teaches positive ways to interact and solve problems.”
“Kikori helps unify our BARK traits...It starts each day on a positive note and gives students practical ways to show kindness and respect throughout the school.”- Kim Myer, Principal
Thriving PBIS Practices
Seeking a meaningful connection between PBIS and SEL, Riverside’s leadership recognized the need for a program that was both engaging and easy for teachers to implement—something that could be embedded in daily routines without overwhelming educators.
Kikori, introduced by a fellow principal from a nearby middle school, fit the bill perfectly.
“First graders usually stick to a few friends, but this year, with Kikori, they’re willing to talk to anybody — even kids they might not have before,”
1st Grade teacher Katie Hanson saw students practice inclusion in ways she hadn’t seen in her last 8 years as a teacher:
Case Studies
At Riverside Elementary in Jackson, MN, a powerful transformation is underway. Led by Principal Kim Meyer and a dedicated team, the school is becoming a place where every child feels seen, heard, and supported.
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.
Increase in Community & Connection
“My students were able to grow and learn! My classroom was a safe and comfortable environment for me and my students.”
End of Year
72%
Before
64%
Fall
70%
Increased Student Love of Learning
“My students when we learn something new their faces light up. They love the challenge of learning more.”
End of Year
72%
Before
64%
Fall
72%
THE EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE
Voices from Riverside Classrooms
Across all grade levels, educators witness Kikori’s power to create emotional safety, foster ownership, and build communication skills.
Preschool: Building Confidence and Connection
Supporting Young Learners
Leah Meyer, a preschool teacher, shares how Kikori supports her youngest learners. Leah highlights significant growth in early social skills.
“Our three-year-olds love morning meetings. Greeting each other, exploring daily themes, and playing hands-on together helps them feel safe and connected.”
“Their confidence speaking in front of friends has soared. Saying ‘My name is...’ and participating in echo greetings like ‘You are strong, you are brave’ are huge milestones.”
First Grade:
a Family of Learners
Inclusion and joy
First-grade teacher Katie Hanson has seen Kikori foster a classroom culture of inclusion and joy. Katie emphasizes how the program breaks down social barriers, and boosts academic courage:
“Students are excited every morning. Kids try harder because they know it’s okay to make mistakes. Kikori teaches them that failure is part of learning.”
“We use a spinner to pick partners, and suddenly, there are no cliques. Kids are willing to work with anyone, building friendships across the classroom.”
1st Grade: Creating Confident Communicators
Bringing PBIS
Values to Life
When Shelly Condon brought Kikori into her classroom, she discovered a powerful way to reinforce Riverside PBIS values. Shelly sees her students more engaged in partner math activities, turning and talking to each other, even handling differences with respect. The true power of Kikori is how it transforms her classroom into a space where every child feels seen, valued, and capable.
“They’ve learned how to greet people beyond just their close friends, and they’re starting to really open up. It helps them gain confidence and independence—and gives every student a way to shine.””
“Kikori teaches them how to respond when things don’t go their way. Whether it’s taking deep breaths or saying, ‘Stop, I want you to be respectful’—those things have really helped their behavior.”
Third Grade: Empowering Leaders Through Reflection
Authentic Growth & Connection
In Kenna Miller’s classroom, Kikori’s morning meetings are a platform for authentic connection and growth. “Even on busy days, I can run meaningful meetings without stress, and kids get excited for Kikori every morning.”
“Every student has a voice. Even kids with verbal challenges participate confidently using animal greetings and gestures.”
“Students moved from reacting impulsively to pausing, reflecting, and considering others’ feelings. This emotional growth spills over into academics—students persevere through challenges.”
Supporting
Educators
Before Kikori, 34% of teachers took 1-2 hours a week to plan SEL. After Kikori, 90% of teachers needed less than 30 minutes per week for SEL planning. This lead to a 25% overall increase in teacher work life balance while increasing comfort leading SEL activities from 56% to 80% over one school year.
Explore
teacher
work life
balance
70%
Confidence & Comfort
Facilitating SEL Activities
80%
weekly minutes
planning
<30
Read More
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.
