In-School Suspension Program: This program is offered as an alternative consequence for infractions that could have resulted in an out of school suspension for students in each of the secondary schools.  The general intent of the program is to retain students in school, allow them the opportunity to reflect on their behavior and learn strategies to prevent subsequent disciplinary actions.  Students are given the opportunity to complete their school assignments with the assistance of an in-school suspension instructor.  Parents must be notified prior to assigning a student in the program.  The length of assignment in the ISS (In School Suspension Program) is 1-10 days, with the majority of students being placed for 1-3 days.

Student Assistance Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) Teams: This school-based, community involved program includes the identification, assessment, referral and support of at-risk students and their families.  Essentially, the program focuses on supporting students who are experiencing difficulties with issues such as truancy, academics, and behavior in their lives that interfere with their educational performance.  An interdisciplinary team of teachers, administrators, and other building staff work collaboratively with parents to develop a plan to ensure student success.  Students are connected to school and/or community-based services to remediate the area of concern.  Through a partnership with Spofford, the program is coordinated by Family Resource Specialists in the middle and elementary schools.  The district’s Social Workers coordinate the high school programs,

Truancy Diversion:  The focus of Truancy Diversion is to improve attendance and reduce incidents of truancy in both of the middle schools in the Hickman Mills School District.  Previously in collaboration with the Jackson County Circuit Court, Family Court Services, The Community Liaisons are based in the middle schools but also assist other schools in addressing truancy and attendance issues.

Life Skills Training (LST), Connect With Kids and Second Step (Classroom Based Curriculums): This program is a science-based prevention curriculum that is delivered in elementary and middle school classrooms.  Topics such as substance abuse, violence, decision making, and conflict resolution are addressed.  Various schedules are developed in the schools to implement the program materials. 

Young Women’s Lives/Young Men’s Work:  Gender specific psycho educational support groups that meet weekly for 8-10 week periods.  Groups address topics such as self-awareness, drug abuse, family issues, anger management, and abusive relationships.

Homeless Program:  Students and families that are identified as homeless according to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act are given an equal opportunity to continue their education.  School supplies, transportation, school uniforms, and other assistance are provided to students as needed.

Child Abuse Prevention Agency (CAPA): Middle school students received individual and group counseling in the CAPA program. The program is coordinated by the Community Liaison and administrators, teachers, and counselors identify at-risk students for participation.

Hickman Mills Prevention Coalition and Youth 4 Change:  Diverse group representing 13 sectors of the community that meet monthly to address issues related to adolescent and adult drug prevention, use and abuse.  Youth 4 Change is currently functioning in the high schools and during the 2008-2009 school year will be expanding to include middle school students. Youth 4 Change are positive youth interested in making positive change in the schools and community and encouraging youth to resist all at-risk behaviors and peer pressure.

Transition Programs

United Media Association for African Americans (UMMAA): This program brings together several activities for students who are interested in the many facets of mass media production.  An annual luncheon is held where guest authors and speakers from across the country provide information to students who have a contemporary interest in the industry as well as becoming authors. Students participate in a book signing event which allows them to network with persons in the career field of media.

SCORE Study Skills Program: This program is a part of the Greater Kansas City Urban League partnership with the Hickman Mills School District.  Students in the 9^th grade are introduced to strategies which will help them perform and test well in their core classes.  Instructors receive training on different methods to enhance their delivery and teaching performance. Community persons give classroom presentations related to career decision making skills.

SPED Career Fair: Students who are enrolled in the special education middle and high schools classes attend a fair that highlights community businesses and career life skills needed for employment.  Students participate in competitive life skills activities needed for employment.  Such activities include but not limited to check writing, mock interviews, setting tables, vacuuming, and folding silverware into napkins. A special needs presenter is invited to help motivate students to succeed in the world of work.

SRI Testing: Elementary and middle school students participate in reading assessments in preparation for 5^th to 6^th grade transition to determine if there is a need for additional reading support.  Fifth grade students are given the opportunity to visit their receiving middle schools and tour the different areas of the buildings.  Evening sessions are given to parents to introduce them to the middle school staff and allow them the opportunity to communicate transition concerns. 

Pave the Way Work Program: This partnership with United Services provides an after-school program for high school students that prepare students for the world of work by teaching work readiness and interviewing skills.  Students participate in career-related field trips.  A monthly stipend for attendance and participation in the program is given to students.

IBUILD Conference: Two hundred (200) Students in grades 8 – 12 participate in a day long field trip to gain information about the construction industry. Students attend the event at Bartle Hall Convention Center.  Students are given the opportunity to do hands- on activities that include: working with dry wall materials, viewing equipment used for excavations, using directions in planning city development, and problem solving.  Students in grade 12 participate in filling out applications for summer employment while at the conference. 

Diversity Summit: Students grades 8-12 participate in a day long host of activities at Union Station including -group discussions, team building, decision making and individual participation towards understanding “diversity.”

KC Employment Fair (Kansas City Youth Advocacy partnership): Students attend employment fair to obtain summer jobs.  Students participate in mentor interviews at the fair to prepare for fair.

Urban Scholarship Fair (Greater Kansas City Urban League partnership): Students in grade 12 attend scholarship fair to obtain college financial aid. 

Lincoln University Mentor Program (Lincoln University partnership): Male students participate in a book study, on campus visits, district college visits, recruitment / orientation from Student Admissions / Advisement / Student Affairs Offices.  College students become youth friends and communicate to students to motivate them to achieve well in school and choose college placement after high school graduation.

Summer Camps