Silver Dollar City Foundation

06/03/2026

We love this! With the help of Silver Dollar City Foundation's Hope Grant, Blue Eye is creating an adaptive and inclusive playground space where all kids can play safely, learn and build relationships together regardless of physical, sensory, or developmental needs.

06/03/2026

There’s always something new to see, even if it’s old. That’s our dear friend Dennis Murray who loves visiting the park. You see the sign for Hazel’s Cut Glass behind him? The glass shop was the first shop on the park to be named after an employee, Dennis’ mom. That signs been in plain sight for years and we just found it. How fun is that?

05/01/2026

A recent study found the need for infant and toddler care in Stone and Taney counties exceeds the number of available licensed slots by about 1,400 – a statistic that doesn’t come as a surprise to Forsyth Superintendent Dr. Jeff Mingus.

“It was not unusual for us to get a call at least once a week from parents looking for childcare,” Mingus said as he walked the hall of the district’s newest facility – Forsyth Early Childhood Center. “We realized it was time for us to offer childcare for our area.”

In January, the district opened the 6,000 square-foot center which houses six early childhood classrooms. When at capacity, the center will serve nearly 70 children.

So far, the district has moved its three preschool classrooms from its elementary building to the new facility and opened the first of its two-year-old classrooms. When at capacity, the center will have a second two-year-old room and one infant room.

“We wanted to take our time, get our feet in the water first and make sure we have everything worked out before we open at full capacity,” Mingus said, adding they expect to be full in August. “Once we are at full capacity, we’ll be the largest childcare provider in the district.”

The district will not just be meeting a need in the community but providing an important service to teachers and staff.

“It's allowed us to hire a couple teachers who have young families because this gives them childcare right here on campus with them,” he said.

The entire childhood center is dedicated to the district’s youngest students and includes a new playground designed specifically for preschool students.

“Everything is age appropriate and size appropriate, so it’s just right for them,” he said.

In addition to providing much need childcare, Mingus said it was also important to make the service affordable.

Through a Silver Dollar City Foundation Hope Grant, the district has been able to offset staff costs which helps keeps rates low. The cost for an infant or toddler care is $125 weekly, which includes school breakfast and lunch.

“The Hope Grant has been key in helping us keep our costs affordable, which is important to families,” he added.

For more information about the Forsyth Early Childhood Center, call 417-546-6384.

Silver Dollar City Foundation provides grant funding to the 14 public school districts serving Stone and Taney County children. These grants empower districts to address local needs ranging from early childhood education to literacy programs, behavioral support, social services, student and family engagement and more. During the 2024–2025 school year alone, Hope Grant projects positively impacted nearly 3,000 students.

04/13/2026

The beginning of a beautiful partnership 💚

04/09/2026

Today was a great day but what we are most excited about is what the future holds for the kids in our communities!

Together Care to Learn and the Silver Dollar City Foundation are investing more than $300,000 in local students

FULL STORY caretolearn.org/together-for-kids/

03/30/2026

The final bell usually signals the end of the school day, but at Crane Elementary, it marks the beginning of something many students look forward to – afterschool tutoring. Yes, that’s right – afterschool tutoring. Throughout the week, students can stay after school through the district’s Pirate Pals program, have a snack, and receive help with things like math and reading but in fun, small-group environments.

“If we haven’t learned something, we get to learn it now,” says 10-year-old Alli as she counts out change to her teacher one Tuesday afternoon.

Unlike the traditional school day, tutoring offers a slower pace and focused instruction that helps students strengthen skills, build confidence, and experience greater success, explains teacher Kara McKnight. She is one of nine educators who lead the program.

An Opportunity for Success

“Programs like this not only support students academically, but they also help build confidence and give students the opportunity to experience success in their learning,” she explained.

Pirate Pals, which is funded by a grant from Silver Dollar City Foundation, provides students with a small-group setting and an opportunity for teachers to adjust pace, address specific skills gaps and provide meaningful feedback, shared Superintendent Dr. Kelli Rogers. Without the grant, Rogers said, the program would not be possible.

“This focused approach allows staff to build strong relationships with students and provide individualized academic and personal support tailored to their specific needs,” Rogers said.

For 10-year-old Bentley, Pirate Pals makes the regular school day feel easier and it gives him more time to enjoy his favorite subjects.

“It’s fun and we learn,” he said with a smile.

McKnight added that the benefits of the program go well beyond academics.

“One of the best outcomes we are seeing is the relationships that develop during tutoring,” she said. “The small group setting helps build friendships, empathy, and confidence among the students. It’s rewarding to see students grow not only academically but also in confidence and in the way they support one another as learners.”

Meeting Community Needs

Silver Dollar City Foundation provides grant funding to the 14 public school districts serving Stone and Taney County children. These grants empower districts to address local needs ranging from early childhood education to literacy programs, behavioral support, social services, student and family engagement and more. During the 2024–2025 school year alone, Hope Grant projects positively impacted nearly 3,000 students.

Visit SilverDollarCityFoundation.com to learn more.

03/04/2026

Grab your tickets while you can!

"Fourteen local schools will showcase student artwork for auction at our evening event. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.anightinthearts.org.
Pictured below: Student talent displayed at our local Chamber of Commerce.
Branson Chamber and Convention & Visitors Bureau

Special thanks to our partners:
Hollister Schools Foundation
Branson R-IV Education Foundation
Reeds Spring Wolf Pack Foundation
Silver Dollar City Foundation"

Hollister Schools FoundationBranson R-IV Education FoundationReeds Spring Wolf Pack FoundationSilver Dollar City Foundation

02/20/2026

Spread the word! Spanish Storytime is tomorrow! We ❤️this partnership between Branson Public Schools and Library Center of the Ozarks!

02/03/2026

We are so proud of Bradleyville School District and their unrelenting focus on providing a great education to all students.

https://www.ozarkly.com/stories/bradleyville-preschool-services/

11/22/2025

“Problem-solving is practiced and preached at Bradleyville” - so true! We are very proud of this rural school and their drive and determination to take care of their community.

Problem-solving is practiced and preached at Bradleyville, a small school district tucked among rolling rural hills in south-central Missouri. When faced