Education Campus to Provide Resources Where They Are Most Needed
25 July 2026
When the Learning Academy opens later this month, it will provide supports that typical students never think about. A Resource Room at the Education Campus will make necessities ranging from food to laundry to a private shower available to more than 100 students whose families may be struggling. Food, hygiene, and...
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When Back-to-School Jitters Run Deeper: Supporting Kids Who’ve Experienced Trauma
25 July 2026
Butterflies before the first day of school are normal. But for children who have experienced trauma — which applies to many of the youth Cornerstones of Care serves — those jitters can be something else entirely: a full-body alarm system that's been triggered one too many times before. Why Anxiety Looks...
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BIST Keeps Teachers Together
26 June 2026
When Jennie Alderman was offered the principal position seven years ago at Franklin Smith Elementary in the Blue Springs School District, she agreed to take the job on one condition: the district would support Franklin Smith faculty in BIST training and implementation. Jennie had seen BIST transform the culture at...
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Looking Beyond the Outbursts: Respond to Defiant Behaviors with Confidence and Care
11 June 2026
Every parent and caregiver has experienced moments when a child refused to listen, argued endlessly, or pushed every boundary in sight. We’ve all experienced it in its various forms—the repeated “no’s,” the eye rolls, the refusal to turn off a video game or TV, the raised voice, the slammed doors,...
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A Grandmother Found a Blessing Through Foster Care
28 May 2026
If you need inspiration in becoming a foster parent, look no further than Sandy Debrick. May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month, and we are highlighting Sandy as one of the special people who open their hearts and homes to youth who need a caring adult in their lives. Sandy’s foster parent...
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Three Gillis School Staff Close the Books on Successful Careers
28 May 2026
As the school year ends, Gillis School celebrated three extraordinary staff members retiring after more than 100 years of combined service in education. Principal Pam Sanders, teacher Susie Hadel, and Administrative Manager Carol Towns served thousands of students during their careers at the Gillis School. Each closed out a remarkable career,...
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Don’t Let Summer Erase the School Year
27 May 2026
Summer break is a time for rest, fun, and adventure — but it can also quietly chip away at the skills children worked hard to build during the school year. Research shows students can lose two to three months of learning over the summer, and for children who are already navigating challenges, that loss can hit even harder. The good news? You don't need expensive camps or tutors to make a difference. Small, consistent habits go a long way.
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Meet Amber Maledy: Making Learning More Engaging with Her Energy and Humor
19 May 2026
When you talk to Amber Maledy, even for just a few minutes, one thing is apparently clear—she genuinely cares about people. Whether she’s helping new employees prepare for their jobs, supporting her team, or leading a difficult conversation about human trafficking, her approach to life is rooted in patience, empathy,...
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