It was once said, "Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." With this in mind, the staff at Lore School spent the first weeks of school focusing on the social-emotional needs of students and engaging in activities that brought students and staff together. Using a Responsive Classroom framework, students engaged in Morning Meeting activities such as One Thing You Like to Do and Speed Ball, which helped students work together to build a classroom community. Classroom Yoga helped students to prepare for learning, and Brain Breaks energized students between lessons. Starting the school year focusing on community allows teachers to then shift to academic growth and development, where every student feels challenged and supported.