'This is our heart': Building schools of character

Character Counts is foundational. Speaking the program’s name invokes the six pillars of moral living that LINC’s team members learn and carry into their Caring Communities. It guides the lessons and meaningful moments they share with children in their classrooms every day.

Watch the video: Back to school with LINC

Take a look at Melcher’s Million Fathers March, the first day at Hickman Mills’ new Sixth Grade Center, “Character Counts! at Belvidere, sunny greetings from Gladstone and Boone’s back-to-school picnic.

Welcome back! This is what Caring Communities look like

Yes, there will be plenty of all the creative fun that kids enjoy in LINC’s before- and after-school programs, but just as reliable are the broader supports LINC’s Caring Communities bring to the children, families and neighborhoods.

Simon says: Start your pre-enollment for LINC now!

We’re getting ready for you. LINC’s free before- and after-school programs are now starting the pre-enrollment process for the coming school year. Find out what you need to know about our Caring Communities programs and start your pre-enrollment today.

Simon says: No stopping the possibilities for LINC's big summer

“Do your favorite dance move!” was the Simon Says command, and in a moment LINC children launched into an dazzling array of gyrations, spins and leg kicks — as varied and entertaining as LINC’s menu of summer recreational and educational fun.

Sign up for Summer! Pre-enrollment open for LINC's before- and after-school programs

Here comes summer. It’s time for families that are planning to have children in summer school to pre-enroll for LINC’s before- and after-school programs. We’ll be ready with games, activities and fun learning opportunities at 15 school sites in our partner districts.

Guardianship court win highlights 'Justice in the Schools' work in Hickman Mills, Center

Veolele needed a lawyer. Because of LINC’s support for the Hickman Mills and Center Justice in the Schools program with Legal Aid of Western Missouri, her pursuit of guardianship over her grandchildren became one of 279 cases the program has opened since 2020.

NKC Schools' bond/levy issues highlight April 5 election with area school board races

For the second time in two years, the growing North Kansas City School District is asking voters to approve no-tax-increase ballot measures. NKC’s bond issue and levy transfer highlight election day April 5 along with a host of important school board races across most of LINC’s partner districts.

'New moments. New memories.' Lights On Afterschool helps turn the page

With grace and hard-won joy, the annual Lights On Afterschool events returned with their resilient communities in celebration of the power of community schools .

Feeling special: LINC gives books to kids for Lights On Afterschool

LINC prepares again to give away high-quality, inclusive children’s books as part of the annual Lights On Afterschool celebrations. “I love new books,” says LINC’s Edina von Hofman. “They give you a sense of feeling special.”

'Justice in the Schools' legal help for families expanding to Center School District

Legal assistance for housing problems, eviction threats, foreclosure, consumer complaints and other matters is coming to the aid of Center School District families as LINC expands its support of the Justice in the Schools program.

'Absolutely Awesome!' Center opens new Indian Creek Elementary to rave reviews

Once the red ribbon was cut and the first tours were under way, students Jaiden and Janae Taylor joined the wide-eyed procession inside Center School District’s new Indian Creek Elementary School Thursday as some of the most precious guests. See what they like the most.

School bonds, levies win big; KC earnings tax triumphs; school board races tight

Bond issues, levies and the earnings tax won big, but many school board races ran tight. See how the final, unofficial totals came out in the April 6 election for our partner school districts.

Kansas City education leaders urge COVID vaccinations

Their districts’ neighborhoods are hard-hit by Covid, but “here we have an opportunity to do something about it,” said KCPS Superintendent Mark Bedell as he was vaccinated. “I’m doing my part to keep everyone safe,” said Center Superintendent Yolanda Cargile.

When ‘home’ is a roadside hotel, Impact Center Schools opens a way out

Just drive. Keep picking up taxi fares. Drive sick. Drive while tortured by an infected tooth. Drive exhausted. Otherwise, Center School District parent Josh McConnaughey feared, he’d lose the last grip he had on a “home” for his three teenaged sons — the weekly-rate hotel room looking out on wheel-roaring Interstate 435.

'Here to do our job'; LINC re-opening more sites, Covid-safe

Covid-19 cases are in rapid decline. Vaccines are coming. Reports from the CDC of low transmission in safe schools are encouraging . . . More children are coming back into school buildings, and LINC is ready.

Updates: Students returning to classrooms as Covid cases fall, with new CDC guidance

t’s been a long road. That’s for sure. But continued declines in Covid-19 cases plus more aggressive advice from the Centers for Disease Control are opening the doors for Kansas City Public Schools, Hickman Mills and Center to bring students back into in-person classrooms in the weeks ahead. And other districts hope to bring more students into already-open buildings.

Watch: Free legal aid available for many Center, Marlborough families and others

Free legal services can help many families with eviction defense, consumer protection, small business needs and more. LINC hosted a virtual seminar introducing Legal Aid’s Adopt-a-Neighborhood Program to families in the Center Elementary and Marlborough neighborhoods.

LINC expands community efforts to bust pandemic's barriers for children and families

The mother’s needs came tumbling out like the insides of a dumped suitcase. This was going to take some doing — finding temporary storage, relief from utility bill debt in the thousands of dollars, and fulfilling her child’s prayer that her family would get a new home by her birthday.

Shake it up! Lights On Afterschool finds a new groove

No more was the pandemic going to hold back what LINC and its communities yearned to give and share. The fall weather came cool and clear, and LINC’s annual Lights On Afterschool events went outside to find a rush of parents, teachers and children ready to join the fun.