Dear Krug Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I’m Claire Lansford, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Krug Elementary community as your new principal. It’s an honor to step into this role and work alongside such an amazing group of students, families, and staff.

I come to East Aurora School District 131 from Kaneland CUSD 302, where I served as Assistant Principal. Before that, I was an Assistant Principal and Dean of Students in Bellwood SD 88. My journey in education started with a degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University and later a Master’s in Educational Leadership from North Central College. I’ve always believed in the power of learning, growing, and making school a place where kids love to be.

This year, we’re officially “In Our Learning Era!” It’s all about creating an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and is excited to take on new learning adventures. Just like any great era, it’s about growth, confidence, and finding your voice. At Krug, we’re committed to building strong connections, encouraging students to take on challenges, and ensuring every learner feels safe, supported—and most importantly—heard. Together, we’re ready to make this our best chapter yet!

Here are a few of our big goals this year:

• Help more students meet or exceed grade-level expectations in reading and math, aiming for a 5% increase across all student groups based on next spring’s state tests.
• Build a strong culture of belonging, where every student knows they matter.

We want every Krug Cougar here each day, ready to learn and grow. Our attendance goal is to reach 95% or higher school-wide, and we know we can get there with your support. Every day counts—and every absence is a missed opportunity for connection and learning. If your child will be absent or if you need help with attendance, please don’t hesitate to call the school office. We’re here to help!

And we can’t do it without you! Your involvement—whether it’s volunteering at an event, joining us for conferences, or simply asking your child what they learned today—makes a huge impact. If you’re interested in volunteering or getting more involved, our doors are always open. Just give us a call or stop by the office.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education. I look forward to getting to know each of you and to working together to make this school year a memorable one. If you ever have questions, ideas, concerns, or just want to say hello, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office at (630) 299-5281.

Here’s to a joyful, inspiring, and unforgettable year—our learning era starts now!

Warmly,
Claire Lansford
Principal Krug Elementary School
clansford@d131.org
(630) 299-5281