Calling all fathers (and father figures): Hickman Mills' men's summit aims to start a movement

The Men of Hickman Mills Summit — “The Future We Want” — was a first step in a district and community effort to raise and energize the role of fathers and father figures in support of children and neighborhoods.

LINC children find power and peace in yoga

Dreamy music rises in a classroom lit by slanting afternoon light. Children lie face-up on mats, limbs splayed. “The peace . . .” says their instructor, seated at the center, in a solemn chant. “The peace,” respond the children, their voices soft in echo. “Begins. . .” she says. “Begins,” they answer, like a heartbeat. “With.” “Me.”

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Remembering 2022: Our year in photos

Take a look back. LINC celebrates a full year of Caring Communities, with great appreciation for so many partners and volunteers who all came together to help strengthen children, families and neighborhoods.

Operation Toys for Tots: LINC, U.S. Marine Corps spread holiday cheer

It’s not a simple operation, bagging up 200 toys for every LINC Caring Communities site. But the U.S. Marine Corps and LINC managed it again, packing the big red sacks of toys into an assortment of LINC staff’s pickups, vans, SUVs and one fully loaded U-Haul to cap off another Toys for Tots mission.

LINC, First book team up to send children home with three thousand new books

Three thousand and four, to be exact. LINC made sure children and their Caring Communities families had new books to take home for the holidays, continuing a collaboration with the non-profit First Book to help inspire a lifetime of reading.

Night English classes illuminate Hickman Mills' multi-cultural community

To get some idea of the demands on the Hickman Mills School District’s night English classes, consider this: When the district celebrated a multi-cultural night in November, the families that came represented 36 different nations.

Watch: A shining Girls on the Run 5k day

The morning’s cold rain turned into a sprinkle and vanished altogether as crisp sunlight broke out over the 2022 Fall Girls on the Run 5K just as hundreds of girls, parents, siblings and coaches crowded to the starting line Saturday. Check out our video and photo gallery.

Boom! LINC's Lights On Afterschool 2022 events are rocketing, now with video

Our annual Lights On Afterschool celebrations got off to a world-traveling start at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy, painting and chili-eating at J.A. Rogers Elementary, rocket-fuel explosions at Warford, a fashion show at Faxon . . . and there is so much more throughout LINC’s Caring Communities. Check out our video and photo gallery.

'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: Food, fun, football at LINC Family Night in Hickman Mills

Three hundred hot dogs. Six hundred balloons. After a couple years of Covid hiatus, LINC’s Family Night in Hickman Mills returned to Ruskin High School Sept. 30. Check out our video and our photo gallery.

LINC Commissioner Williams honored by Greater KC Chamber

The award is named for Athena, the Greek goddess who embodies strength, courage, wisdom, and enlightenment. Williams, a LINC Commissioner and former superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District, has given nearly 40 years in service of schools, children and teachers.

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.

Hickman Mills voters say 'Yes' to higher levy, no-tax-increase bond issue

Election night was good to the Hickman Mills School District. Voters by a solid margin approved both an increase to the district’s levy as well as a $20 million no-tax-increase bond issue.

Hickman Mills seeks voter support Aug. 2 for levy boost, no-tax-increase bond issue

Election Day Aug. 2 is more than a political primary for Hickman Mills School District residents. The district is asking voters to approve a $1.35 increase in the district’s operating levy and a $20 million no-tax-increase bond issue.

Flight path to fun: LINC summer school programs hit the mark

LINC’s drone program at Smith-Hale Middle School in Hickman Mills was one of many adventures in educational play in summer school before- and after-school programs in LINC’s Caring Communities in June.

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.