Care Crew visits Lakeview Schools to greet students starting classes

CORTLAND Lakeview Schools students returning to classes this year were greeted by a group of community members, aiming to help students feel welcome.

The Care Crew is a group of senior citizen volunteers who greet students at the school's doors, help students off buses and out of cars, and provide encouragement to start their day.

The Lakeview Local School District can be found at 300 Hillman Drive in Cortland.

According to Ashley Handrych, Superintendent of Lakeview Schools, the program began at the elementary school in 2024.

However, the program was deemed successful enough to expand to the high school for the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

"We feel that our older kids would also benefit from seeing some of our senior citizens in the community and having that same kind of greeting each morning," said Handrych.

In addition to greetings at the door and the motivation to get started, the Care Crew volunteers also help the kindergarten class students get settled and unpacked.

When asked, Handrych told 21 News that both the students and the volunteers have been enjoying the initiative.

"The kids really like it, and so do the parents. But, I feel like watching the interaction between our Care Crew volunteers and our elementary students each day, it's really sweet, because they become familiar with each other, and I think it's been a really positive dynamic between the two age groups," said Handrych.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact the Lakeview Board of Education Offices, which can be contacted by phone at 330-637-8741.

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