Lawrence Kids Spring ‘20
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Lawrence Kids Spring, 2020
LMH Health / Surviving at Home Seasonal Essentials - The Storey Family Season’s Readings For the Kids: Moms Demand Action The Helpers
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These Lawrence Kids / Model UN
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Get Outside / Fly a Kite
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08 12 20 24
Cover Photo by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn Table of Contents photo by Amber Yoshida a project of Four Birds Media info@lawrencekidsmagazine.com (785) 766-5669
Thank you for reading.
Social Distance 13 Tips to Keep from Going (too) Stir Crazy by Jessica Brewer, LMH Heatlh
The coronavirus pandemic is impacting every-day life for all. We all have different needs and different responses to what is happening around us. It’s important to stay informed, but not surrender to anxiety, boredom and negative emotions. The key is to stay active, physically and mentally, and fight the sense of isolation by getting creative. Use this time to practice something you’ve being wanting to do, discover new resources, share your talents, or rediscover a forgotten hobby or passion. “Self-quarantine” and “social distancing” don’t have to be boring. Here are some suggestions for things you can do while keeping everyone safe...
1. Try a New Recipe - During this time where it is advised to stay inside, decide to cook or bake whatever you’re craving. Try a new dessert recipe or a fancy new dish. Once it is safer to be around others, go support your favorite restaurants, but for now, try to create your favorite dish yourself and hire your children as the sous-chefs.
8. Take a Drive- Hop in the car and take a drive – long or short. A relaxing drive can help your mind escape and give you a chance to get out and about, sing to some car tunes and see some sites. Take a trip around town and maybe adventure to spots you haven’t been before. Drive around and visit the murals, or go park hopping.
2. Schedule a Virtual Date - Despite your kiddo not being able to play in person with their friends, have them give their pal a FaceTime to let them keep in touch without risking exposure. Check out the games you can play on your computer for your kids, or you, to play virtually with others wherever they are. And this suggestion is for you, too. Plan virtual visits with your friends and family, even if it’s just quick emails or texts. Or go old school – give them a call on the phone or write letters.
9. Escape on a (Virtual) Vacay - Bummed that you’ve had to curtail travel plans? Then take a virtual vacation. Many zoos, museums, national parks and other worldwide landmarks are offering free virtual tours. You can even take a trip to Mars! Just search online for “virtual tours” and the world will open on your computer.
3. Plan Dinner and a Movie, at Home - Make sure you take some time for yourself. If you’re spending your days at home, entertaining your kids for long periods in one setting can be overwhelming. Take some time to relax and have an at-home date night. Put on a movie and try to enjoy some quiet time with, or without your children. 4. Complete a Puzzle - There is nothing more satisfying than placing the last piece of a puzzle in its place. Find a simple or extremely complex puzzle to do alone or with your family. This can make time go by quicker, especially with a movie or some music on in the background. Enjoy some brain-stimulating games that are relaxing, and be sure to wipe it down after you’re finished. 5. Bundle Up and Build a Fort - Throw it back to your childhood and join in with your kids to get cozy in your jammies and build a fort. Gather all the chairs, blankets and pillows you can find and build the tallest fort you can. Be sure to stock the fort with games, movies, coloring books and or educational materials that you can do with your kids. 6. Keep Physically Active - Keeping active without leaving your home is possible. You don’t need a gym or fancy equipment to stay in shape. Get creative! Use soup cans and water bottles as weights – even a baby can be a good weight to hold during some exercises. Check out online resources and work out while watching a fun video. Make exercise a family activity. 7. Go Outdoors - Nature is open. What a great time to get some fresh air! Step outside and enjoy some outdoor activities without many people around. Hike, bike, walk, garden. Explore the Lawrence Loop trails. Find some fun outdoor games and play with the whole family. Be sure that if you or your kids play with any toys that they are sanitized before and after use to double ensure health safety.
10. Call on an Elderly Neighbor- This can be a very scary time for those for whom the virus affects the most severely. Call or FaceTime your elderly neighbors or friends who could be scared or concerned. Though you won’t be able to comfort your loved ones with a hug, human interaction and simply seeing others’ faces is a way to comfort them from afar. See if there is anything you can do to safely assist or provide for them in any way. Your kindness will not go unnoticed. 11. Have a Cleaning Party - Sounds fun, right? Sort through your possessions and organize or set aside to donate what doesn’t bring you joy. (Check first with receiving organizations before delivering any donated items.) Take advantage of having the whole gang together to take a few hours to deep clean the house. To make it fun have rewards for the cleanest room or hide items around the house that can be found when cleaning. After the place is spotless, enjoy some downtime. 12. Do Some Digital Spring Cleaning - What a great time to clean up digitally, too! Clear out your inboxes, delete any old files and apps you aren’t using, upgrade your software, and update your passwords. 13. Take Care of Yourself - Enjoy some time to just relax or do whatever helps you manage stress – read, write, yoga, meditation. Times are stressful and it’s ok to take a day to do absolutely nothing. Paying attention to your own needs is especially crucial for people who take care of others. Don’t make plans, just relax with your significant other, your kids, your pets or some quality alone time. Make sure to take care of yourself and enjoy some TLC. Try to enjoy this time away from the masses of people. We hope these activities help you and your family to feel less confined so that the time away helps the community bounce back as soon as possible. LK
Seasonal
Essentials
Dan & Angela Storey are accomplished professionals, active community members and, most importantly, parents of Oliva (11), Eleanor (7) & Ruby (5). While the family is now hunkered together at home, they still love Spring. Stay-at-home orders cut many of their favorite seasonal plans, but the family still loves the season and can’t wait for the chance to celebrate. photos by Amber Yoshida
Spring Seasonal Essentials
from theStoreyFamily...
1. KU and March Madness – Dan and I both work for KU, so whether it’s Big 12 tournament or the NCAA tournament, our girls (and us!) get really excited for game days. We’ll sometimes go to watch parties, or find family friendly watch sites around town. About 85% of our closet is crimson and blue… and our girls’ follow suit. 2. Bike Ride to the Levy – We all love to ride bikes, and we have done some big trips where we bike to the levy and head down the trail from there. The outdoor patio at The Levy Café is one of our favorite treats. 3. Walks with our Dog, Dixie – The girls wanted to make sure the dog made our list, because she is definitely a part of the family! We take her to the dog park, or walks around town, and she loves it. She is the most loving, cuddly dog we’ve ever met. We adopted her about 2 years ago. 4. Lawrence Public Library – This is one of our favorite Lawrence spots. We try to watch their schedule closely for any activities that we can participate in. Even without an activity, we can spend hours at the library. All 3 of our girls LOVE books, and love to read! 5. Campus Bike Ride/Walk – We always have some fun campus walks in the spring when the weather starts to turn. Dan is a photographer and created a really fun activity a few years back where he gave Olivia a digital camera and they walked around campus taking photos. It was fun to see how it turned out from each of their lenses! 6. Grilling Out – When it starts to get warm, we love grilling and eating outside on our deck. 7. Lawrence Arts Center – We spend A LOT of time at the Arts Center. Our girls participate in performances and we love to check out the art displays and other exhibits they offer. 8. Easter Egg Hunt – We have several hunts we try to go to around town because our kids are still of the age that they have a lot of fun with it. We really enjoy the annual hunt at Lawrence Country Club. 9. KU Baseball/Softball Games – Outdoors and stadium food! 10. Hiking – When the weather warms up, we like heading out to Clinton Lake or the Lawrence Nature Park on Folks Road if we have free weekend time. 11. Soccer – Eleanor & Ruby play soccer, so you can find us on the soccer fields most Saturday mornings. 12. Sunfire Ceramics – The girls LOVE art and LOVE to create… so Sunfire Ceramics is one of our favorite spots. 13. Picnics – In general, we love finding a spot to have a picnic. Whether it’s out at Clinton Lake at the beach, or at Deerfield, or South Park… it’s always fun packing up the kids, the dog and a picnic basket. 14. Spring Farmers’ Market – We really go a lot in the summer, but when it starts up, we love finding something at the farmers’ market.
s e g A ll A r fo
SpringReadingSuggestions from
Dan Coleman at the LawrencePublicLibrary A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox, by Wendy Pfeffer and Linda Bleck It’s worth delving into the science of what Spring really is with a book or two every year, and this is one of the best for that. Pfeffer describes the planetary causes and effects of Spring, and describes how various cultures celebrate its beginning each year, including recipes and instructions for spring activities. Illustrator Linda Bleck provides colorful kid appeal, as she has in her other collaborations with Pfeffer, odes to the autumnal equinox and both solstices, books worth checking out when the time comes. Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring, by Kenard Pak Former Dreamworks animator Kenard Pak is one of the hottest illustrators working these days, and among his best work is a recent series of books about changing seasons. In this, his latest, a boy and his dog observe how a wondrous Winter night changes into a sunny Spring day. When Spring Comes, by Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek Another panoramic look at the coming of Spring, Henkes’ homage is sweet as a marshmallow Peep, with pastel illustrations provided by his wife, Laura Dronzek, that look good enough to eat. The Wind Blew, by Pat Hutchins An oldie but a goodie, Pat Hutchins’ 1974 classic depicts the cumulative chaos of a windy Spring day on the people in a rural English village. The Honeybee, by Kirsten Hall and Isabelle Arsenault An iconic symbol of Spring is here described in rhyming couplets, beautifully illustrated by Canadian artist Isabelle Arsenault. The book describes just what exactly bees are up to, from one Spring to another, as well as their importance to the process of pollination, and their declining numbers. From Seed to Plant, by Gail Gibbons Gail Gibbons is the grande dame of non-fiction picture books, and here she lays out the facts about how seeds
become plants, in her signature simple language, and charming (but clearly labeled) illustrations and diagrams. Nesting, by Henry Cole Veteran author-illustrator Henry Cole takes up another Spring standby in this naturalistic exploration one robin family’s efforts to hatch and raise their young. Gardening Lab for Kids, by Renata Fossen Brown More than 100 pages of gardening instructions, experiments, and ideas for kids, packed with photographs that make dirt look beautiful. Backyard Adventure, by Amanda Thomsen With chapter headings like “Forts and Other Hideaways,” “Sidewalks, Fences, and Driveways,” and “Water, Bubbles, and Goo,” this book is full of ideas for turning off screens and getting kids outside as the weather improves. Just because they can’t play flashlight tag on Roblox doesn’t mean your kids won’t enjoy it in real life. Crow not Crow, by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple This story of a father teaching his child the joy of birding was published by Cornell University (and they know birds). The dad’s breakdown of birds into two easy categories—“crow” and “not crow”—provides a comical starting place for beginning birders, although readers learn to identify a number of other species, as well. Seedfolks, by Paul Fleischman I use any excuse I can to recommend Seedfolks, a springtime favorite about the transformation of a Cleveland vacant lot into a flourishing urban garden. This short novel is told from the points of view of 13 people, most of them immigrants, whose labor and care create an oasis in their neighborhood. In addition to being a great story about the potential for small acts to effect profound changes, it’s an introduction to bigger ideas about urban gardening, the immigrant experience, and narrative perspective.
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Moms Demand Action “Gun violence is the number one cause of death for Kansans under the age of 18,” Lene Brooke, the Legislative Lead for the Douglas County group of Moms Demand Action, explains with a stoic expression. “We are better than that and we have a moral obligation to do something about it.” Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. The group works to pass stronger gun laws and close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of American families. Volunteers work in communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. Moms Demand Action beliefs gun violence is preventable, and is committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe. The national organization was formed in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting by Shannon Watts. Originally a Facebook group, Moms Demand Action has grown into a cultural and political force, with chapters in every state of the country and Washington, D.C. Along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Students Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network, it is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly 6 million supporters and more than 350,000 donors. “Let’s just get something out of the way,” Leslie Milton, Co-Local Lead, says with a laugh. “We’re not here to get everyone’s guns and outlaw gun ownership. We want common-sense gun laws that can help reduce the growing rate of gun violence in our communities.” Brooke and Milton, both mothers, are charming and charismatic. They emphasize their points with bright smiles and genuine laughter. They certainly don’t appear to be a very powerful force. “Well, we’re a persistent bunch,” Brooke says. “I mean, we’re moms. We know what it’s like to have to repeat ourselves over and over until someone listens.” The Lawrence chapter organizes phone trees and writing
campaigns to inform and influence local elected officials. Prior to all elections, the group questions candidates and ultimately supports whom they feel will work with them toward common-sense gun legislation. “We were thrilled to help elect Governor Kelly,” Brooke says. “She has been a very strong advocate of our work and we hope to make strong progress during her tenure.” Milton explains that, though they face challenges in traditionally conservative Kansas, the group’s numbers continue to grow. The Lawrence group counts nearly 50 regulars at meetings and but several hundred residents of Douglas County as supporters. “We have chapters in 12 Kansas communities, including a few new chapters in western Kansas,” she says. “That’s really exciting. We’re in this fight for the long term and we know that more than 85% of Americans support common-sense gun legislation. We’re dedicated to saving lives and making our communities safer.” For more information on how you can support, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, please check out their website: https://momsdemandaction.org LK
The Helpers When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ - Fred Rogers Things can seem scary. While most of us are staying home and hoping for a quick end to social distancing, some Lawrencians are rolling up their sleeves and doing everything they can to help our community get through these uncertain times.
Meg Heriford / Ladybird Diner Even before the State of Kansas closed schools for the remainder of the academic year, Meg Heriford, owner of Ladybird Diner knew she had to act. “As soon as it was announced that Spring Break was extended for a week, I knew a lot of kids were going to be hungry, not to mention many vulnerable people of Lawrence,” the mother of 4 explains. “We didn’t hesitate for a moment and got to work immediately figuring out how we can help.” To help, Meg provides free sack lunches to anyone that wants one - no questions asked. What started as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches has evolved into mushroom soup, fresh baked loafs of bread and cookies. Every day, Monday through Friday, from 11am to noon, Meg opens the front door to Ladybird and hands out sack lunches to any who ask. In addition to the meals, Meg has expanded the offerings to include a makeshift food pantry. “We’re going to do whatever we can, for as long as we can, to help this community.”
Dr. Thomas Marcellino / Douglas County In short, Douglas County Health Officer Dr. Thomas Marcellino is the person that makes the call. The medical advice to close Lawrence schools, avoid groups of more than 10 and stay-at-home orders are all guided by his medical expertise. “Obviously we don’t take any of this lightly,” Dr. Marcellino explains. “I understand the hardships these recommendations can cause, but it’s my obligation to do what’s best for the health of the people of Douglas County.” Dr. Marcellino, a father to 2, began monitoring COVID19 long before its effects were felt in Lawrence. “I was aware of the threat when it was developing in China,” he explains. “The state, the county and the school district have all been working together to do what’s best for Lawrence. I know this is a difficult time, but we’re working hard to offer the best advice for our community. I have to explain every recommendation I have to my own kids, so I always keep families in mind. We’re trying to keep everyone safe.”
Shantel Grace / Ramen Bowls “We’re here to help until we can’t help anymore,” Shantel Grace co-owner of Ramen Bowls, says with a smile. “If we end up as a soup kitchen, then so be it. We’re here for our town.” Grace, with husband Tim, are running Ramen Bowls at full-speed. They offer free delivery and curbside pickup, of course. However, they also offer their most-popular menu item - Rainbow Bowl - for free. In addition to free meals (offered no questions asked), each order comes with a bottle of homemade hand sanitizer that was made in the Ramen Bowls kitchen. “I think Rainbow Bowls are about every third order,” Grace, a mother of 3, explains. “The most amazing thing is how often an order comes in for a menu item and the customer ‘pays it forward’ with a contribution to help offset the cost of free meals for others. That’s incredibly heartwarming. We love Lawrence and our community’s generosity is beautiful. We are going to stay open as long as they’ll let us. We’re here to serve our town.”
Food Service Staff / USD 497 Since Lawrence schools closed for the year, the USD 497 Food Service Staff at Hillcrest, Kennedy, and Schwegler Elementary Schools and Billy Mills and Liberty Memorial Central Middle Schools have shown up to work each weekday and provided more than 5000 free meals to Lawrence families. Meals are for children 0-18, with no questions asked, Mondays and Thursday from 10:30am -1:00pm. Melissa Sommer and her 3 kids have grabbed meals almost every day since schools have been out. “It’s a real relief for me and the kids,” she explains. “Of course saving money on a few meals a day is enormous, but my kids love getting out of the house for a bit, even if it’s just to drive to Central to grab a few sack lunches.” Max, Melissa’s 8 year-old son echoes his moms appreciation. “Sometimes we go to different schools and that’s fun because I don’t normally get to see them,” he says. “And the chocolate milk is really good.” If families do not have transportation to one of the sites, free delivery options are available. “Teachers and Food Service staff have enjoyed seeing families drive and walk through for school breakfast and lunch,” says Julie Boyle, USD 497 Executive Director of Communications.
These
Lawrence Kids...
West Middle School Model UN
Research policies of a foreign nation and form comprehensive arguments defending those policies? No problem.
photos contributed by Jessica Miescher-Lerner
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“These students, the work they put into Model UN and their passion to succeed are so admirable,” says West Middle School gifted teacher and Model UN advisor, Jessica Miescher-Lerner. “I’m just so proud of them.” Model UN is an intense international relations / current events / public speaking extension which simulates the work of the actual United Nations. Students (7th & 8th graders) spent the academic year preparing for a two-day Topeka Model UN conference. The application process for the program is intensive. Students need to demonstrate leadership, ability to respectfully debate opponents with opposing views and are intense critical thinkers who can think on their feet. “Students spend all year researching the positions of their county and the opposing viewpoints,” Miescher-Lerner explains. “This is intensive research into political policies of a foreign government. Sometimes they need to learn arguments that directly contradict their own personal beliefs. That’s certainly a learning experience for the students.” When students begin the program, each is able to pick a country they would like to represent from a predetermined pool. Research and debate topics are selected by the competition board. “Ireland was my first choice,” says Cayman Barnes, a 7th grader. “My great, great grandparents sailed to the United States from Ireland, so it’s a big deal for me and my dad.” Cayman had to research and write position payments supporting Ireland’s stance on gay rights, Serbian refugees and climate change. “I support the position Ireland has on all of those issues, so that wasn’t a challenge for me,” she says. “But finding news articles when I was in the research process was sometimes challenging.” Like Cayman, Gillian Sellet got her first pick of countries. “I was really drawn to Mongolia,” the 7th grader explains. “There’s not a lot of research, from an anthropological standpoint, on the country. My dad is an anthropologist, so it really interested me.” Sellet, who received best affirmation speech in her council and also third place for best delegate at the
Topeka UN event, says she was over prepared for her arguments. “I was really, really nervous before it began,” she says. “But soon after it started I kind of realized I was over prepared. I had a lot of arguments prepared that I knew I wouldn’t use. I guess that helped me relax because I knew I was ready. I think researching my positions, and the opposition, might be the hardest I’ve ever worked on something, actually.” Both Cayman and Gillian are enthusiastic about Model UN in 8th grade. “It was a lot of fun,” Sellet says. “Now that I’ve done it, I know what I can do next year to better prepare my arguments and I know what I don’t need to worry about.” Cayman says the entire process was memorable. “I got to talk to my friends in class and during research,” she explains. “It was more fun than I thought it would be. Plus, I got to learn a lot about other countries and cultures. I think it’s really important to learn whats going on in the world.” Miescher-Lerner heaps praise on the 6 students that attended the Topeka Model UN event. The entire process is daunting, she says. “I challenge anyone, let alone 7th and 8th graders, to research complex political and cultural topics of a foreign country and then form comprehensive arguments for and against them,” she says. “These kids jumped in head first. I’m so proud of them and excited to see what they can do next year.” LK
Let’s Go
Fly a Kite
by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn
As I write this, a south wind is priding through Lawrence, growling, “SPRRRRRRRRRINNNNG!” The weather has been like this for several days now reminding me about the time I was in grade school and my little brother and I spent hours flying cheap, grocery store kites in the empty lot next to our house. We lived in Arizona at the time which meant if your kite crashed, you’d have to delicately pluck the line off each cacti, yucca, and paloverde trees, winding the line in without ripping the string, tearing the delicate, plastic wings, or getting pricked in the process. But it was worth it, because if you happened to get that kite to the elevation where it was at the very end of its line, the kite became a small speck of a sun shining down bound to you. Because it’s spring and I have been feeling nostalgic for my kite flying days, I decided we would attempt making a kite. I have never done this before and after looking over a couple similar tutorials online, I fashioned a classic newspaper kite with the help of my 6 and 9-year old. We took it out immediately after and it floated 20 feet off the ground for moments, but there wasn’t enough wind to hold it in the air at the small elementary school field we attempted to fly it. The next day, we took it to Broken Arrow Park when the wind was just picking up. My daughter looked at me as her hair whipped violently around her face and said, “I’m not so sure about this mom.” Confidently, I reassured her. “It’s going to be great! Be positive and let’s see what happens.” I opened the car door to pull out the kite, which was instantly whisked away slamming into a nearby tree. Luckily, I still had the reel of string in my hand and slowly wound the kite in. It was still intact. We walked out to the field and got into our kite flying positions. My daughter held the kite and I unraveled the spool walking several yards from her and called out, “On three! One, two, three!” She released the kite into the sky, it launched straight up, did a dizzying whirlwind of spins before an exhale, flailing to the ground, its paper skin ripped from the rod skeleton. Perhaps 25 mph wind was a little strong for a newspaper kite. I carried the expired kite to the car and traded it for our trusty nylon kite that effortlessly sailed along strong prairie winds. Later I could repair and modify our DIY kite, but it was one of those first warm days of March and neither of us wanted to go home and work on it. Instead, we flew. Chins up, eyes on the sky, my daughter, at an age when she isn’t a young kid but isn’t an old kid smiled, “This is really fun, mom.” I hope you find the chance to fly a kite this spring, make your own or otherwise.
5 Kite Flying Destinations in Lawrence: Broken Arrow Park / Central Middle School / Clinton Lake / “Dad” Perry Park / South Middle School
