by Megan Diaz | Jun 26, 2026 | Education
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...
by Megan Diaz | May 27, 2026 | Education
Practical Tips to Keep Kids Learning 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...
by Megan Diaz | May 19, 2026 | Education
While many families will head to the pool, take beach vacations, or even plan staycations at home this summer, drowning remains a serious and often underestimated danger. It is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of death for...
by Casey Lozier | Sep 17, 2025 | Education, Community Trainings
How BIST Empowers Teachers When Jennie Alderman became principal at Franklin Smith Elementary School in Blue Springs, the school had issues she needed to address. Staff at the school felt isolated and many believed they were operating in silos, or as one put it, “we...
by Casey Lozier | Aug 1, 2025 | Education, Trauma-Informed Care
During the 2024–2025 school year, a rural Missouri school embraced the BIST (Behavior Intervention Support Team) philosophy building-wide and saw remarkable results. One of the most powerful success stories involved a sixth-grade student facing significant behavioral...
by Casey Lozier | Jun 13, 2025 | Education
This summer, many families will look to cool off and have fun at the pool. Foster parents must adhere to Missouri or Kansas regulations regarding water safety, particularly for home swimming pools. Missouri and Kansas regulations differ but have the same intent: to...
