No panic; Star School rises up to keep education going for court-involved teens

The pandemic was shutting down Missouri’s state-run schools for troubled youth. Teachers worried for their students whose tenuous grasp on education means so much to their chances to rise. Then, assuredly, an answer came to them: “Oh, right. Star School.”

Missouri's Child Advocacy Day 2020 is on! (virtually, that is)

This week, the 2020 version of this the statewide gathering will meet online, promising “to show Missourians that even though times are uncertain now, we can still come #Together4MOKids.”

Disconnected at home: KC’s pandemic-fueled race to get Internet access for all

The pandemic’s social isolation lights new fire to a long-running struggle to get everyone in Kansas City connected to the Internet. A look at who’s doing what, and how you can get help, or give help.

SchoolSmartKC announces $2 million relief fund to support schools in KCPS boundary

In recognition of the unprecedented impact that the COVID-19 virus has had on area schools, communities, and other affiliated organizations, SchoolSmartKC has created a $2 million relief fund.

'What will you say you did?'

If we didn’t realize the stakes before, surely we do now. The pandemic of 2020 has peeled back the scars encrusted by generations of inequity. Lessons from a virtual educators’ seminar. “What will you say you did . . .?”

Hickman Mills names Carl Skinner as interim superintendent

Hickman Mills’ new interim superintendent Carl Skinner, currently serves as deputy superintendent of student services. He will succeed Yolanda Cargile, who is leaving to become superintendent of the Center School District.

'Use it. Share it. Hash-tag it': KC's African American Heritage Trail launches quest to reach new audiences

A celebratory crowd cheered Kansas City’s new website that puts a growing wealth of local black history at our interactive finger tips on our phones. But their eye was on the greater audience they hope to reach: young people, their teachers, those who are unaware.

LINC staff rallies with lawmakers in support of free after-school programs

More than a dozen LINC site coordinators plied the hallways and the offices of lawmakers in Jefferson City on Feb. 20, lifting the achievements — and the struggles — of providing free before- and after-school programming serving more than 7,600 children in and around Kansas City.

State of the Fort Osage District speech looks to the next 70 years

With the aid of the Fort Osage School District’s student broadcast team, Superintendent Jason Snodgrass finally delivered his weather-preempted State of the District Speech this week.

Celebration cheers 25,000 inclusive books placed in the hands of Kansas City children

Turn the Page KC and LINC celebrated with Kansas City civic leaders who predicted that young lives touched by the books will soar higher on the same literary fuel that propelled them to where they are today.

'We're all learning together': 10 years of black history materials inspire community

Every year the special ed class at J.C. Harmon High School has picked out one of the great men and women featured in the latest set of local black history figures, sparking an educational adventure. LINC, the Kansas City Public Library and the Black Archives of Mid-America have been producing the materials for a decade.

Center names Cargile as next superintendent; Hickman Mills seeks new leader

Hickman Mills Superintendent Yolanda Cargile isn’t going far at all to take on her next superintendent challenge. Five days after she told her Hickman Mills families that she was leaving the southeast Kansas City district, neighboring Center School District announced it had found its next leader: Dr. Cargile.

Future focus: You can help shape Kansas City schools' vision toward 2030

With Blueprint 2030, the Kansas City Public Schools aims to reimagine the city’s educational system — including the charter schools that share the city’s and state’s resources. And they want your help.

Overcome your past; Missouri's SkillUp program offers job training for Food Stamp recipients

At age 25, Victoria had a history of Domestic Violence, was living alone with her two children, didn’t know where to go or how to go about things. “I had to start from “ground zero,” Victoria said. See how Missouri’s SkillUp program offers Food Stamp recipients the opportunity to gain skills, job training and work experience.

LINC In Photos 2019

We are happy to share LINC in Photos 2019 – a visual representation of LINC's impact and presence in the community.

Commission selects two KCPS schools to tell 'a new history' of the African American experience

John T. Hartman Elementary and African-Centered College Preparatory Academy students and staff were chosen to help gather and share a new history in understanding the complex, 400-year history of African Americans in North America. The schools will be Institutional Ambassadors to the National Park Service’s 400 Years of African American History Commission.

FAST graduation day celebrates new wisdom, shared anxieties, mutual joys — and friendship

Graduating families cherished moments of new wisdom, shared anxieties and mutual joys as the eight-week Families and Schools Together (FAST) program came to a close in Fort Osage.

'Lights On Afterschool' celebrates LINC's daily mission: Empowering children, families, communities

LINC’s annual “Lights On Afterschool” festivals are actually celebrations of LINC’s daily work with its partnering schools of strengthening the lives of children and empowering their families and neighborhoods.

Call for help: Ending student homelessness in Center School District

The mission of the Impact Center program is to end student homelessness in the Center School District within four years. Impact Center’s most pressing need is to raise funds to hire a full-time case manager to work directly and intensively with families to help them overcome their individual barriers to housing success.

'They're on my side'; Star School puts court-involved teens on paths to success

If not for Star School, many Missouri teenagers like Adam would have no good educational options as they leave the juvenile justice system. The online program by LINC and the state Department of Youth Services has helped more than 630 youths since 2013.