VIEWPOINT Leading isn’t easy · 7/26/2020 · countries. It’s eye opening how a few simple...
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On Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly ordered schools to stay closed until Sept. 9. On Wednesday, the Kansas State Board of Education rejected the order, leaving decisions in the hands of school districts. We don’t envy the job now of our local school boards and our district superintendents who must now decide what to do next. It’s a tough job to weigh the pros and cons of open- ing school in the midst of a pandemic. On the one hand, there’s the risk of infection to students (and by extension their families) and staff (and by extension their families as well). On the other hand, there are the long term consequenc- es our students face of going without instruction, of going without regular meals, of going without re- lationships built with peers and trusted adults. For some, those consequences may be more severe than for others. For the families of stu- dents, there’s the question of how to juggle parenting with employment when young kids are home from school. Not everyone can work from home and meet via ZOOM, and not every employer can be or wants to be accommodating to workers who have no one to leave young children with and have to choose between bringing them with or not working. A recent study from the e Washington State Department of Health, University of Washington and START Center looked at practices schools from different countries around the world are using to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the resulting impact on transmission in those countries. It’s eye opening how a few simple changes seem to affect the out- comes. Of the countries listed that reported “no signifi- cant increase in the growth rate of COVID-19 cases,” which include Denmark and Norway, the prac- tices they’ve implemented include: younger students only (K-4), reduced class size, physical distancing, and increased hand wash- ing. Denmark’s maximum class size is 12, and Nor- way’s is 15. Neither country is requiring face masks for students or teachers. is is not to say masks aren’t useful amongst adults and older students, we must add (our best guess is per- haps height has something to do with it? Not sure, just guessing). Others ranged from “increased transmission among students, but not school staff ” in Germany, “outbreaks observed in multiple schools” in Israel, and Sweden’s “relatively high rate in children suggests there may have been a significant spread in schools.” ere are also a slew of “unknowns.” Differing combinations of practices are being used. In the case of Sweden, none are being used, and the country is striving for herd immunity apparently. Nowhere is there a clear solution. Sure, school boards and superintendents aren’t required to solve every problem a student or their family might potentially face when they make deci- sions that face us all. ey aren’t going to be able to please everyone any of the time. ose of us on the sidelines, the parents and grandparents, the teachers, the students, the employers, we have only a few things to do. First, share with out school board representa- tives what we need from them. Second, be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. All of us may not agree with every decision, but since none of us have been given divine insight, we need to accept that the best inter- ests of our children are top of mind as the minds of school boards and admin- istrations as they put plans into motion. e oſten repeated statement may seem tired now, but it’s still true. We’re (still) all in this together. — Veronica Coons SUNDAY July 26, 2020 4A GREAT BEND Children are top priority as school decisions are made Leading isn’t easy VIEWPOINT To the editor, A quick glance at the colorful yard signs adorning the lawns of Great Bend will tell you that our democracy is alive and well in Barton County. e race for the county commission seat in district three boasts four outstanding candi- dates. All of the candidates are strong gentlemen in our community, but I am writing this letter to ask for your vote for my neighbor, Robert Bean. Robert has the knowledge, enthusiasm and honesty to deserve your vote for Barton County Commissioner. I have lived across the street from Robert for many years and have always known him to be a hard worker and a respectable member of our community. He will be a clear, reasonable, and strong voice for our county commission. As a business owner, Robert has learned what needs to be done in our county. He understands what it takes to make an honest living as a craſtsman and business owner. Robert will listen to community members and work to make Barton County a stable and se- cure environment for all citizens while keeping a watchful eye on our property taxes. If you’ve seen his “Support your Barton County Sheriff ” Facebook Page, you know his enthusiasm and commit- ment to our community is boundless. Robert stepped up to support me when I faced false allegations from people who wished to tarnish my reputation and the image of law enforcement in Barton County. Robert’s campaign to set the record straight in my time of need shows how much this man cares about protecting the rule of law in our county and the men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way to protect all of Barton County’s citizens. More recently, Robert has documented many historical events through his very popular Facebook page that show his passion for the county that he calls home. I believe that integrity is an especially important trait in our political repre- sentation. In my experiences with Rob- ert, I have never known him to waiver from doing the right thing. Robert Bean deserves your vote for Barton County Commissioner. Please join me for him on Aug. 4th in the Republican primary. Brian J. Bellendir Great Bend Hutchinson has support To the editor, At this current time, the decisions that we each make are more important than ever before. is pandemic that we face today leaves us with the choice of mask or no mask, social distancing, and group gatherings. It’s human nature to want to be around family, friends, co-workers, and the general public. Our decisions all matter, espe- cially during this upcoming election. e 3rd DIstrict of Barton County currently has a four way race for county commissioner. ese candidates are well qualified. I have known Mr. Shawn Hutchinson for the past eight years. I have spent some time with Mr. Hutchinson, and have discussed with him cur- rent conditions within our community. I truly believe that he is very family and community oriented. In addition, Shawn is a good Christian man. Furthermore, he is a husband, a father, and a veteran. He is a local businessman with a great deal of integrity. As your current 3rd District, county commissioner, I support Mr. Shawn Hutchinson. I would like to encourage each one of you to please get out and VOTE!!! is election is extremely important in that we are able to keep the rights that our forefathers had in mind as they drew up the United States Constitution. Please take the time to vote and may God bless America!!! Don Davis ird District Commissioner Barton County Show respect, wear masks To the editor, Challenge for all Great Bend businesses! In the past couple of days I have entered four different businesses and told them “I refuse to do business with them because they and their employees do not wear masks.” It shows a complete disrespect for my health and the health of all community members as well as our own lives. It costs the merchant virtually nothing to protect their customers. I am asking everyone who feels as I do to express your- self in person or on the phone. We are in this together. Together we can get Great Bend business people to change and protect us customers as much as possible. Be nice but make you voice heard. Dorvan Conell Great Bend Taylor should be reelected To the editor, Like most Kansans I value public education and accessible health care along with all the services our tax dollars pay for. I have been impressed with the service Senator Mary Jo Taylor has given to our district and Kansas and urge others to join me in re-electing her for another term. Mary Jo attends the legislative coff ees and is willing to answer questions and be accountable to her constituents. Her calm explanation of issues gives perspective to what is going on in Topeka. She can disagree without being disagreeable. An example is Medicaid Expansion. Some argue that it would mostly help city hospitals, (which makes sense because of more population), but we know that even a small amount of money is very helpful to rural hospitals, which we need to keep open, especially now. Mary Jo stays informed, but she never acts like she knows everything. She does her best to un- derstand complex issues and then make them un- derstandable, typical of a good educator. Anyone can be on her online newsletter where every week she reports on issues and bills that are submitted, and committees that she serves on—and all in plain language. She tells what actions were taken, how she voted—and explains why. If you have a problem or question, she will check into it—AND she follows up. I appreciate that. Mary Jo Taylor is a worker, not a fighter, but when faced with an issue she is passionate about, she is able and willing to stand up to peer pres- sure and go with what she believes is right for her district and Kansas. We really need to keep Mary Jo Taylor working for us in the Kansas Senate. She has my vote. Dee Anne Grummon Great Bend Send Taylor back to Topeka To the editor, I have had the privilege of seeing Senator Mary Jo Taylor at work for us in the Statehouse in Topeka. She served with my husband, then-Representative Greg Lewis. She listens to and works for her constituents. e big-money special interest groups are trying to oust her because she stands with us, her constituents, not with them. Mary Jo does what is best for our rural way of life, our rural health care and our schools. I appreciate her cour- age to stand up for us and do what is best! She keeps us informed of what is going on in Topeka by her newsletters, attending forums, answering her emails and phone calls. ank you, Senator Taylor, for working for us. Please join with me and vote for Senator Mary Jo Taylor so that we will continue to have an independent voice in Topeka! Susan Lewis St. John PUBLIC FORUM Bean is the right choice for Barton PUBLIC FORUM
Transcript of VIEWPOINT Leading isn’t easy · 7/26/2020 · countries. It’s eye opening how a few simple...
On Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly ordered schools to stay closed until Sept. 9. On Wednesday, the Kansas State Board of Education rejected the order, leaving decisions in the hands of school districts. We don’t envy the job now of our local school boards and our district superintendents who must now decide what to do next.
It’s a tough job to weigh the pros and cons of open-ing school in the midst of a pandemic. On the one hand, there’s the risk of infection to students (and by extension their families) and staff (and by extension their families as well). On the other hand, there are the long term consequenc-es our students face of going without instruction, of going without regular meals, of going without re-lationships built with peers and trusted adults. For some, those consequences may be more severe than for others.
For the families of stu-dents, there’s the question of how to juggle parenting with employment when young kids are home from school. Not everyone can
work from home and meet via ZOOM, and not every employer can be or wants to be accommodating to workers who have no one to leave young children with and have to choose between bringing them with or not working.
A recent study from the Th e Washington State Department of Health, University of Washington and START Center looked at practices schools from diff erent countries around the world are using to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the resulting impact on transmission in those countries. It’s eye opening how a few simple changes seem to aff ect the out-comes.
Of the countries listed that reported “no signifi -
cant increase in the growth rate of COVID-19 cases,” which include Denmark and Norway, the prac-tices they’ve implemented include: younger students only (K-4), reduced class size, physical distancing, and increased hand wash-ing. Denmark’s maximum class size is 12, and Nor-way’s is 15. Neither country is requiring face masks for students or teachers. Th is is not to say masks aren’t useful amongst adults and older students, we must add (our best guess is per-haps height has something to do with it? Not sure, just guessing).
Others ranged from “increased transmission among students, but not school staff ” in Germany, “outbreaks observed in
multiple schools” in Israel, and Sweden’s “relatively high rate in children suggests there may have been a signifi cant spread in schools.” Th ere are also a slew of “unknowns.” Diff ering combinations of practices are being used. In the case of Sweden, none are being used, and the country is striving for herd immunity apparently. Nowhere is there a clear solution.
Sure, school boards and superintendents aren’t required to solve every problem a student or their family might potentially face when they make deci-sions that face us all. Th ey aren’t going to be able to please everyone any of the time.
Th ose of us on the
sidelines, the parents and grandparents, the teachers, the students, the employers, we have only a few things to do. First, share with out school board representa-tives what we need from them. Second, be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. All of us may not agree with every decision, but since none of us have been given divine insight, we need to accept that the best inter-ests of our children are top of mind as the minds of school boards and admin-istrations as they put plans into motion. Th e oft en repeated statement may seem tired now, but it’s still true. We’re (still) all in this together.
— Veronica Coons
SUNDAYJuly 26, 2020
4A GREAT BEND
Children are top priority as school decisions are made
Leading isn’t easyVIEWPOINT
To the editor,
A quick glance at the colorful yard signs adorning the lawns of Great Bend will tell you that our democracy is alive and well in Barton County. Th e race for the county commission seat in district three boasts four outstanding candi-dates. All of the candidates are strong gentlemen in our community, but I am writing this letter to ask for your vote for my neighbor, Robert Bean.
Robert has the knowledge, enthusiasm and honesty to deserve your vote for Barton County Commissioner. I have lived across the street from Robert for many years and have always known him to be a hard worker and a respectable member of our community. He will be a clear, reasonable, and strong voice for our county commission.
As a business owner, Robert has learned what needs to be done in our county. He understands what it takes to make an honest living as a craft sman and business owner. Robert will listen to community members and work to make Barton County a stable and se-cure environment for all citizens while keeping a watchful eye on our property taxes.
If you’ve seen his “Support your Barton County Sheriff ” Facebook Page, you know his enthusiasm and commit-ment to our community is boundless. Robert stepped up to support me when I faced false allegations from people who wished to tarnish my reputation and the image of law enforcement in Barton County. Robert’s campaign to set the record straight in my time of need shows how much this man cares
about protecting the rule of law in our county and the men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way to protect all of Barton County’s citizens. More recently, Robert has documented many historical events through his very popular Facebook page that show his passion for the county that he calls home.
I believe that integrity is an especially important trait in our political repre-sentation. In my experiences with Rob-ert, I have never known him to waiver from doing the right thing.
Robert Bean deserves your vote for Barton County Commissioner. Please join me for him on Aug. 4th in the Republican primary.
Brian J. BellendirGreat Bend
Hutchinson has support
To the editor,
At this current time, the decisions that we each make are more important than ever before. Th is pandemic that we face today leaves us with the choice of mask or no mask, social distancing, and group gatherings. It’s human nature to want to be around family, friends, co-workers, and the general public. Our decisions all matter, espe-cially during this upcoming election.
Th e 3rd DIstrict of Barton County currently has a four way race for county commissioner. Th ese candidates are well qualifi ed. I have known Mr. Shawn Hutchinson for the past eight years. I have spent some time with Mr. Hutchinson, and have discussed with him cur-rent conditions within our community. I truly believe that he is very family and community oriented. In addition, Shawn is a good Christian man. Furthermore, he is a husband, a father, and a veteran. He is a local businessman with a great deal of integrity. As your current 3rd District, county commissioner, I support Mr. Shawn Hutchinson.
I would like to encourage each one of you to please get out and VOTE!!! Th is election is extremely important in that we are able to keep the rights that our forefathers had in mind as they drew up the United States Constitution. Please take the time to vote and may God bless America!!!
Don DavisTh ird District Commissioner
Barton County
Show respect, wear masks
To the editor,
Challenge for all Great Bend businesses! In the past couple of days I have entered four diff erent businesses and told them “I refuse to do business with them because they and their employees do not wear masks.” It shows a complete disrespect for my health and the health of all community members as well as our own lives.
It costs the merchant virtually nothing to protect their customers.
I am asking everyone who feels as I do to express your-self in person or on the phone.
We are in this together. Together we can get Great Bend business people to change and protect us customers as much as possible.
Be nice but make you voice heard.
Dorvan ConellGreat Bend
Taylor should be reelected
To the editor,
Like most Kansans I value public education and accessible health care along with all the services our tax dollars pay for. I have been impressed with the service Senator Mary Jo Taylor has given to our district and Kansas and urge others to join me in re-electing her for another term.
Mary Jo attends the legislative coff ees and is willing to answer questions and be accountable to her constituents. Her calm explanation of issues gives perspective to what is going on in Topeka. She can disagree without being disagreeable. An example is Medicaid Expansion. Some argue that it would mostly help city hospitals, (which makes sense because of more population), but we know that even a small amount of money is very helpful to rural hospitals, which we need to keep open, especially now.
Mary Jo stays informed, but she never acts like she knows everything. She does her best to un-derstand complex issues and then make them un-derstandable, typical of a good educator. Anyone can be on her online newsletter where every week she reports on issues and bills that are submitted, and committees that she serves on—and all in plain language. She tells what actions were taken, how she voted—and explains why. If you have a problem or question, she will check into it—AND she follows up. I appreciate that.
Mary Jo Taylor is a worker, not a fi ghter, but when faced with an issue she is passionate about, she is able and willing to stand up to peer pres-sure and go with what she believes is right for her district and Kansas. We really need to keep Mary Jo Taylor working for us in the Kansas Senate. She has my vote.
Dee Anne GrummonGreat Bend
Send Taylor back to Topeka
To the editor,
I have had the privilege of seeing Senator Mary Jo Taylor at work for us in the Statehouse in Topeka. She served with my husband, then-Representative Greg Lewis. She listens to and works for her constituents. Th e big-money special interest groups are trying to oust her because she stands with us, her constituents, not with them.
Mary Jo does what is best for our rural way of life, our rural health care and our schools. I appreciate her cour-age to stand up for us and do what is best! She keeps us informed of what is going on in Topeka by her newsletters, attending forums, answering her emails and phone calls. Th ank you, Senator Taylor, for working for us. Please join with me and vote for Senator Mary Jo Taylor so that we will continue to have an independent voice in Topeka!
Susan LewisSt. John
PUBLIC FORUM
Bean is the right choice for BartonPUBLIC FORUM
