Brooklyn Stories of Belonging: Fresh Creek & Brooklyn Gardens
- Kikori Team
- Dec 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Why Belonging Is a Prerequisite for Learning
In Brooklyn, belonging isn’t a “nice-to-have” - it’s everything. Teachers, principals, and students know that learning only happens when children feel seen, valued, and connected. Too often, urban schools face high mobility, overcrowded classrooms, and initiative fatigue, making it easy for students and staff to feel disconnected.
At Kikori, we believe connection is the foundation of learning, and building belonging is the first step to stronger school communities. Without it, SEL initiatives struggle, students disengage, and teachers feel stretched thin.
What We Learned from Fresh Creek
Fresh Creek Elementary has been on a transformative journey. During our partnership, we observed the school’s morning meetings, classroom interactions, and staff collaborations. One moment stood out: a first-grade student shyly shared a story about helping a classmate feel included. The room went silent — then erupted in cheers. That small moment reflected a culture shift: children were learning to recognize, appreciate, and act on each other’s social and emotional needs.
Teachers noted that when daily SEL routines prioritized connection, behaviors improved, and students became more engaged. As one teacher shared, “Our kids are more willing to step up, take risks, and help each other - they feel like they belong here.”
Key takeaway: Intentional SEL moments create a ripple effect across the school, boosting relationships and fostering a sense of community.
A Principal’s Journey to Brooklyn Gardens
The journey didn’t stop at Fresh Creek. We revisited Brooklyn Gardens, where the assistant principal from Fresh Creek is now leading as principal. She brought with her the lessons learned: embedding SEL into morning meetings, prioritizing teacher collaboration, and using experiential learning to create connection-driven classrooms.
Her leadership demonstrates how SEL scales when administrators actively support belonging and model relational practices. Leadership isn’t just about enforcing rules - it’s about creating environments where every child and adult feels recognized and valued.
How SEL Strengthens School Communities
Across both schools, we saw that SEL isn’t just a set of activities — it’s the glue that binds a community together. When students reflect on their experiences, share their stories, and practice empathy, the entire school culture shifts.
Teachers report:
Fewer classroom disruptions
Greater collaboration among students
Increased teacher satisfaction and morale
Research backs this up. According to CASEL, SEL programs that integrate reflection, experiential learning, and consistent routines strengthen social-emotional competencies and foster a sense of belonging - essential ingredients for academic and personal growth.
Try This Community Mapping Activity
Activity: “Our School Web of Connection”
Give each student a large sheet of paper and markers.
Ask them to draw themselves at the center and add lines connecting to classmates, teachers, and staff they feel connected to.
Highlight shared connections and gaps in relationships.
Reflect together: How can we strengthen connections across the classroom or school?
This activity is perfect for morning meetings or advisory periods and helps students visualize community, identify allies, and practice empathy. It’s a hands-on way to reinforce that belonging matters every day.
Building Belonging Every Day
Belonging is cultivated in the small moments: a circle prompt, a shared story, or a daily reflection. Fresh Creek and Brooklyn Gardens demonstrate that when schools prioritize SEL, invest in relational leadership, and use experiential learning strategies, school culture flourishes, and every student can thrive.
Your Turn — Try This Tomorrow: Use the Community Mapping activity in your classroom or staff meeting and see how connections grow.
Ready to Bring Kikori to Life in Your Community?
Kikori is built to meet you where you are, whether you’re leading a single classroom or shaping culture across an entire school or district.
For Individual Educators
👫 Belonging first. Learning follows.
A Kikori Pro Membership gives you instant access to:
Morning Meeting & Advisory slide decks
Hands-on, printable SEL activities
Curated music & movement playlists
Tools that help students connect, reflect, and lead
Perfect for educators who want meaningful SEL they can use tomorrow morning.
For Schools & Districts
🏢 Connection is the curriculum.
Kikori’s School-Wide Solution supports Tier 1–3 SEL by equipping every educator with:
Full platform access
Implementation guidance & training
Shared language and practices for culture-building
Bonus resources that support consistency and sustainability
Designed for schools ready to move from isolated activities to a lived, shared SEL experience.
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