Take Note
If These Walls Could Talk
Over the course of past month, Take Note has been listening to area youth as we explore the intersection of trauma and education. We went to Blue Valley to learn about their new mental health resources in “We Struggle, Too,” we ventured to Blue Springs where a young graduate shared his remarkable story through “In His…
Trauma-Informed Care Transforms Lee’s Summit School
Summit Ridge Academy administrators knew that old-school discipline wasn’t cutting it. Instead of suspension, many kids at the Lee’s Summit “alternative school” — which serves middle and high school students who need a different learning environment — simply needed adult support and better coping skills. Some of the students live with a parent suffering from…
Forging Their Own Path
Kenya Davis is a product of the Kansas City, Kansas, school district, as is her oldest daughter. But Davis’ enthusiasm for public schools waned when her youngest daughter, Sasha, entered Kansas City Public Schools. Sasha attended John T. Hartman Elementary for kindergarten, but Davis moved her to Troost Elementary the next year in search of…
Summer Meal Programs Work, But …
The quest to address childhood hunger in the Kansas City region unites concerned citizens of all types around one of the most admired programs in our area: BackSnacks Run by Harvesters — The Community Food Network, the program sends 19,000 needy children home from school with backpacks filled with weekend meals. As the largest program…
We Struggle, Too
There’s a perception that the grass is greener in the Blue Valley School District. That may be. After all, the academic scores are consistently high, the facilities are immaculate, and incomes are significantly above average. But when students return for the fall semester they’ll find a major new investment has been made in treating mental…