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Administrator’s Corner by Zack Kruger

It’s Friday night, and I peer out over a gym full of families, caregivers and friends joining Lakeview students for an exciting evening of Bingo.

The room buzzed with energy as students celebrated bingos and carefully selected their prizes.

National Honor Society students cheerfully handed out pizza, cookies and water, while Dave Klatt’s voice echoed through the gym, enthusiastically calling out the next bingo number. Joy and laughter, paired with conversation, filled the air, and smiles were everywhere.

This evening epitomizes the rich partnerships we share with our parent organization, the Lakeview Elementary School Organization (LESO), and the broader Albert Lea community.

These partnerships go beyond simple collaboration; they are the foundation of what makes Lakeview special. Events like this showcase the dedication, creativity and countless hours our caregivers devote to creating meaningful opportunities for students and families.

The richness of these connections extends even further — our greater school community, from high school students volunteering their time to serve and support, to district leaders and board members joining in the celebration, demonstrates the shared investment in our children’s success. These collective efforts are a beautiful reminder that education is not confined to the classroom but is a shared responsibility and privilege.

As I reflect on this event, I am reminded of how foundational these partnerships are to the work we do at Lakeview. They support our efforts to foster growth and ensure every child feels valued and supported. When we come together like this — caregivers, educators, students and community members — we celebrate more than just a fun evening.

We reaffirm our shared commitment to our children and their future. Nights like this are about more than bingo or prizes; they strengthen the connections that make Lakeview and Albert Lea Area Schools special.

Zack Kruger is principal of Lakeview Elementary School.