Building Bridges fosters intergenerational support and sensitivity

This fall, many LINC Caring Communities sites have been participating in Building Bridges, a University of Missouri Extension program that promotes intergenerational activities.

Students at the ACE Collegium Campus (KCMSD) visit elderly residents of Bickford Senior Living. Van Horn High School, Nowlin Middle School, and Korte Elementary (Independence) students make greeting cards for residents at Maywood Terrace, Independence Manor, The Groves, and Monterey Park. Other activities include talent shows, board games, and bingo.

The activities are an opportunity for the students to connect with older generations, and for the residents to share their life experiences with the students.

Nowlin Site Coordinator Christina Esteban, whose students also participate in a pen-pal project, says the experience builds relationships and increases sensitivity among seniors and students. One senior, age 103, even sent pictures from her 90th birthday, when she learned how to play the drums.

The Building Bridges program director is Nina Chen.

"Parent U" puts parents behind desks

On Saturday, Dec. 4, Hickman Mills PTA and LINC sponsored a series of classes, workshops and tutorials at Ruskin High School aimed at increasing parental involvement in their children's educational success.

Around 20 family members attended Parent University, or "Parent U," studying topics related to bullying, online parent resources, MAP testing, book clubs, discipline, and more. Parents gained a better understanding of the school system so as to be better equipped to encourage children in their schoolwork.

Parents of all experience levels attended - some who were sending their fifth child through district schools, others whose first child just entered kindergarten. Classes were led by Hickman Mills staff, including Superintendent Dr. Marge Williams.

Fairmount neighbors celebrate new sidewalk from school to park

Fairmount School and neighborhood celebrated the completion of a new sidewalk between the Independence elementary school and a large neighborhood park.

The sidewalk was a major project of the Fairmount Caring Communities site council over the past year. There are few sidewalks in the neighborhood.

The elementary school, located in northwest Independence, has been promoting physical fitness.
The new sidewalk makes accessing the park for
walking and playing both easier and safer.

Neighbors are hoping the city can provide more activities for families and youth at Fairmount Park.

City officials, including Mayor Don Reimal, participated in the Dec. 9 event. Jeff Anger is the school principal. Jennifer Stone is the LINC site coordinator.

LINC sites host men's events to support students and schools

Banneker Elementary School will host "Boys' Night Out - A Night of Mentoring" on Friday, Dec. 17, 6-9 p.m., for students in 4th-6th grades.

The student's father and/or one male role model age 21 or older must be present in order for the boy to attend.

The group will be led in topics including self-discipline and behavior, self-image and self-worth, and anger management and violence prevention.

There will also be game time and basketball. Dinner will be provided.

Kenneth Bridgewater, Vice Principal, and Terry Nooner, LINC Site Coordinator, are planning and leading the activities.

Also on Dec. 17, 2:30-7 p.m., dads, grandpas, brothers, uncles, friends, and neighbors are called to help with a men's work day at Satchel Paige Elementary.

The goals of Men's Work Day are to clear brush and clean up around the school and provide an example of men in service to the community.

Shaun Hayes and Jason Ervin are the LINC Site Coordinators at Satchel Paige.

Topping celebrates cultural diversity

Students and families at Topping LINC Caring Communities will have the opportunity to learn about and experience different cultures' winter customs during "Celebrating Cultural Diversity During the Holidays" on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Click here to view and online invitation.

LINC afterschool students will perform songs and skits from different cultural celebrations, including:

• Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, celebrating Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Medina;
• Christmas, the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem;
• Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival also known as the festival of lights;
• Kwanzaa, an African-American observance rooted in African traditions and emphasizing the seven principles of living in community;
• Las Posadas, a Latino/Latina re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

Refreshments representing foods from the students' cultural backgrounds will be served after the performances.

The event is free and open to the public.

Cooking at Smith-Hale

Students in the Hickman Mills School District have discovered new ways to eat their veggies.

Recently the Culinary Club at Smith-Hale College Preparatory Middle School was featured in an article in the Jackson County Advocate for their work with Culinary Center of Kansas City Executive Chef Matt Chatfield. Chatfield came to the school to make "Recipes for Healthy Kids," a facet of the Let's Move! campaign pioneered by First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Students rolled and sliced their own sushi while listening to Chef Chatfield as he combined the cooking lesson with healthy eating tips, encouraging kids to pick foods they like for their rolls. Students were excited to show their families how easy it was to make a delicious meal that was also healthy.

Chef Chatfield was invited to the school by Leah Schmidt, Director of Nutrition Services for the Hickman Mills School District. Schmidt believes children who have an active role in making their food are more apt to like what they create and eat a healthier, more diverse diet.

Smith-Hale is the newest LINC site in Hickman Mills. NicKia McMurtrey is the Site Coordinator.