WESA Reports: KING

Part six of Designing Dignity explores how wrapping community around people who are declining cognitively helps to preserve their quality of life — and perhaps enrich everyone else's in the process.

Part five of WESA's Designing Dignity series explores how and if robots are able to step into caregiving roles to alleviate workforce shortages as populations age and require more support. And should they?

In episode four, we hear about how states in the U.S. are grappling with skyrocketing costs for elder care. Could Japan's long-term care insurance program be replicated at the state level?

In episode three, we hear about Japan's effort to keep hospital spending low by delivering dementia care directly to the patient's front door.

In episode two, we hear about how Japan's care managers provide guidance for people living with dementia and their family caregivers as the U.S. considers how to help families navigate its quagmire of social services.

Designing Dignity is a six-part series from WESA exploring one of the most pressing questions facing Pennsylvania: Are we prepared for an aging population? In episode one, we meet two families faced with a dementia diagnosis; one in Pittsburgh and one outside of Tokyo, Japan.

Designing Dignity is a new series from WESA that explores one of the most pressing questions facing Pennsylvania: Are we prepared for an aging population? Hosted by Kiley Koscinski, this series examines the realities of cognitive decline and caregiving through personal stories, expert insights and international reporting.

After the school year ends, Ms. Hoffman takes a midday break on a summer day. Despite the momentum carrying her into the new school year, part of her is still with the eighth graders who graduated.

King celebrates honor roll students and families kick back for a night of pizza, bouncy houses and bingo. Parents grapple with challenges with work, finding childcare, and where to live.

It takes a special kind of teacher to love middle schoolers. And an even specialer kind of teacher to be loved by middle schoolers. Introducing two of King’s favorite middle school teachers.

Second grade teacher Tiffany Basinger on why she loves second graders — and what it means to be a Black teacher in a majority-Black school.

On Halloween, two months into the school year, the first-day optimism has worn off. But as the school prepares for its fall harvest parade, King’s eighth grade class is a bright spot.

On the first day of school, hopes fly high at King. It’s Principal Dawn Gordon’s fourth year as principal, and it’s been constant flux. Things can only go up from here.

“King” is a series about a year in the life of a Pittsburgh Public school. It's a kaleidoscopic portrait of one school, over one year, where people show up and care for each other.