In Nebraska’s classrooms, clinics, and credential programs, a seat has been vacant for a generation. What would it take to fill it? by Dr. Joe DiCostanzo, Vice President, Education – Nebraska Children and Families Foundation THE CHAIR Step into a…
Blog Archives
The Empty Chair
Tagged with: education, HEAL professions, teaching
Posted in Middle Childhood, Teen/Early Adulthood, Uncategorized
Posted in Middle Childhood, Teen/Early Adulthood, Uncategorized
Rooted Year in Review: Building Stronger Foundations for Nebraska’s Youngest Learners
What happens when childcare providers receive the right support at the right time? Teresa Dressman, a family childcare provider in Superior, was ready to walk away from her career—overwhelmed and uncertain. Today, she’s mentoring others, presenting at conferences, and empowering…
Tagged with: childcare, childcare expulsions, children, early care and education, Early Childhood, early childhood development, education, emotional development, expelled from childcare, family, Parenting, pyramid model, Rooted in Relationships, social development
Posted in Early Childhood, News and Events
Posted in Early Childhood, News and Events
Why Nebraska Is Investing in Boys and the HEAL Economy
Nebraska is launching the Boys in HEAL initiative to engage boys in careers within healthcare, education, and literacy. By focusing on experiential learning and mentorship, the program aims to counter declining male representation in these essential fields, promote purpose-driven career choices, and ultimately strengthen communities while addressing workforce shortages.
Tagged with: afterschool, beyond school bells, education, HEAL professions, health, healthcare, mental health, teaching
Posted in Cradle to career, Middle Childhood, Teen/Early Adulthood, Uncategorized
Posted in Cradle to career, Middle Childhood, Teen/Early Adulthood, Uncategorized
Does Your Face Light Up?
by Sami Bradley, MaED. LIMHP, IMH-E®Vice President, Early Childhood Mental HealthNebraska Children and Families Foundation | Rooted in Relationships We spend a lot of time wondering what builds our children’s self-esteem. Is it the praise we give them? Is it…
Building Back the Love: Beyond School Bells and NGR Partner in Literacy Projects
A partnership between Nebraska Children and Families Foundation’s Beyond School Bells (BSB), Nebraska Growing Readers (NGR), Unite for Literacy, and Linked to Literacy funds literacy efforts. In March of this year, by offering grants of up to $2,500 for literacy projects connected to summer programming, Beyond School Bells implemented what Education Commisioner Brian Maher described as the Department of Education’s vision of fostering “a culture of proficient and lifelong readers in Nebraska.”
Tagged with: afterschool, Alliance Recreation Center, Beatrice Learning After-School Time, beyond school bells, child literacy, early childhood, early literacy, education, family, Gothernburg Impact Center, Linked to Literacy, literacy, Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Growing Readers, reading, Summer programs, Unite for Literacy, Wakefield Summer Program
Posted in Early Childhood, Middle Childhood
Posted in Early Childhood, Middle Childhood
Innovation Invitational 2025: Innovating Amidst Uncertainty
The Beyond School Bells Innovation Invitational focused on empowering youth through purpose-driven afterschool programs. Key discussions addressed the challenges youth face, emphasizing belonging, engagement, and community. Experts encouraged educators to foster resilience and growth, while innovative initiatives aim to enhance Nebraska’s Expanded Learning Opportunities, ultimately inspiring young leaders and shaping future educational experiences.
Tagged with: afterschool, beyond school bells, education, expanded learning opportunities, learning, technology
Posted in Middle Childhood, News and Events, Uncategorized
Posted in Middle Childhood, News and Events, Uncategorized
Rooted in Relationships Receives National Recognition for Pioneering Efforts in Advancing Childhood Mental Health
Rooted in Relationships (RiR) is an initiative by Nebraska Children aimed at transforming early childhood mental health through community collaboration. By providing childcare providers with training, RiR addresses behavioral challenges in young children, enhancing their social-emotional skills. Recently, the team was recognized nationally for their work.
Engineering Pathway Project: Inspiring Youth STEM Leaders in Nebraska
The Engineering Pathway Program in Nebraska ignites student interest in STEM fields through hands-on projects and mentorship. Launched by Beyond School Bells and the Peter Kiewit Foundation, it fosters interconnected learning from elementary to high school, highlighting girls, rural youth, and underserved communities, while nurturing future engineers and leaders like mentee Britney Alarcon-Panzi.
Building Community in the Heart of Cherry County: Expanded Learning Opportunities in Valentine, Nebraska
Driven by a mission to create positive change for Nebraska’s children, Beyond School Bells focuses on providing K-12 students with high-quality expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) that promote hands-on, engaged learning. The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and Beyond School Bells…
Tagged with: afterschool, beyond school bells, community, Community-Building, education, expanded learning opportunities, Nebraska, news, schools, STEM, Valentine
Posted in Middle Childhood, Teen/Early Adulthood, Uncategorized
Posted in Middle Childhood, Teen/Early Adulthood, Uncategorized
You’ve Got Mail
Renae Norenberg, who has owned and operated Nae’s Away from Home childcare in Fremont since 1990, says, “my kids just get ecstatic. They watch for the mail. It’s like they know when those books are going to be coming. They want to open the door to see if they have a little box on the porch. We can’t open them fast enough.” Norenberg is talking about the free boxes of NGR books that are sent to early childhood educators who are registered with the program.
Growing the Good Life 