When the school day ends, the learning doesn’t stop—and for many families, the hours after school are some of the most important. That’s where the Badgerland After School Enrichment Program, better known as BASE, comes in. BASE provides a safe, structured, and inspiring place for kids to learn, play, and grow beyond the classroom walls. Today we're excited to welcome Alicia Norris, Executive Director, Emily Yavuzcetin, Director of Operations, along with Whitney Townsend, a BASE Board Member. Together they help lead an organization that is much more than after-school care.

In this episode, I’ll be joined by three of our kindergarten teachers Becky Johnson, Nicole Schafer, and Amy Schuldt to hear their stories, their reflections, and their wisdom. We’ll talk about what a day in the life of a kindergartner looks like, the amazing growth they see from the first day of school to the last, and why relationships with families are such an important part of the kindergarten experience.

Strong schools don’t exist in isolation—they’re built on partnerships with families, community organizations, and yes, our local police department. At the same time, a safe community is one where kids are supported, connected, and given the tools to make good choices both in and out of school.

Joining me today are three special guests who are right at the heart of this year’s planning: our high school principal, Leigh Ann Scheuerell, along with two of our student leaders Mackenna Farrell and Hannah Behling. who have been working hard behind the scenes to make this Homecoming Week one to remember. Together, we’ll explore what Homecoming means, share favorite traditions and past experiences, and give you a preview of all the exciting events lined up for this year.

Today’s episode is titled ‘Guiding Growth at the Middle: Exploring how SEL, attendance, and family partnerships create a foundation for lifelong learning.’ And that title couldn’t be more fitting, because middle school is one of the most critical and sometimes most challenging stages in a young person’s life.

This episode is a special one, because it’s all about celebrating the people who are often at the heart of our success but don’t always get the recognition they deserve. In education, it can be easy for some people to focus simply on test scores, new initiatives, or the next big challenge. But at the center of it all, the work comes down to people—those who show up every day with passion, patience, and perseverance.

It’s more than breakfast and lunch—it’s giving every student the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Today’s theme is “Marching Into the Season: The Sound of 1Fort”— Where our season starts with a beat. From the first note on the field to the last cheer in the stands, this episode celebrates how music, energy, and community set the rhythm for everything we do at 1Fort.

Joining me is Justin Steger, our high school band teacher, to talk about what makes our band program so special, the energy they bring to Friday nights, and why music is such an important part of student life. Stick around—this episode is all about the heartbeat, and the soundtrack, of 1Fort."