children

Michelle Hilburn: Cherishing the love, the magic, and the moments
The holiday season is here, and like many educators, I’m running on fumes. The holidays are stressful both in and out of the classroom.
Meeting a myriad of needs
Meeting students’ needs outside of the classroom is a challenge, and the Purdy school district is taking it head on by implementing the Care to Learn program at the district this year. A Springfield-based non-profit with three primary goals: meeting students’ needs regarding health, hunger and hygiene.

Drake Thomas: Rules in summer aren’t a bummer; the beauty of keeping a schedule during off seasons
Reading that title may give you pause. Summer is a time for respite, rejuvenation — and most importantly, no alarms — right? Why in the world would anyone want to keep their rigid normal schedule when the days are longer, and cookouts, ball games and pool parties seem to jump out from every direction? It is difficult to convince little minds that it is bedtime when the sun sits low and fat on the horizon boasting perfect playing light, before disappearing completely and giving the stage to twinkling fireflies that hover at the perfect height to be cupped and observed by tiny hands.
Patch of Sunshine now licensed
The Patch of Sunshine Childcare and Learning Center is enrolling children after becoming state-licensed recently. The center, located across from Fast Trip at 101 Main St in Cassville, has been in place for several months and officially opened its doors in March.

Drake Thomas: Weathering the storm — The unpredictability of child behavior
It seems that spring has sprung here in the Ozarks! Daffodils and dogwoods are in full bloom, the grass and trees have returned to their lively green selves, and a buzz down any road out of city limits will likely show you new spring calves and lambs at their mothers’ sides. As warm and enjoyable as the weather has been, as a born and bred Missourian, I know that the sweet spring weather can quickly turn sour.

Bill Hodgson: Let the children come to me
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) What is the age of conversion? Sometimes we refer to an “age of reason,” the point in development where a child shows a sense of conscience.

Merlyn Johnson: Safeguarding our children — Navigating the digital landscape
As educators and parents, we are entrusted with the monumental task of working together to guide our children to achieve a bright and fulfilling future. In today’s digital age, where the internet pervades every aspect of our lives, this responsibility takes on a new dimension.