Tracy Lafreniere, Rachel Salvatore and Jennifer Daigneault
![Tracy Lafreniere Tracy Lafreniere](/sites/www/files/styles/unsung_hero/public/2023-09/RI%20-%20Tracy%20Lafreniere_0.jpg.webp?itok=zZrlqqYy)
The team’s innovative idea, “Smart Start,” identifies the school’s highest priority students at each grade level in kindergarten through fourth grade and invites them to a before-school program with the goal of providing a predictable and stable “anchor point” prior to the start of their school day. This one-hour, before-school program will have three critical elements: (1) positive social connection with adults and peers (2) development of healthy habits including healthy food intake and physical activity; and (3) social and emotional learning through read-aloud sessions, role-playing and goal setting for the day. This predictable and supportive morning ritual is designed to help restore homeostasis after the transition from home to support learning.