Lawrence Journal-World 11-10-14

Page 1

Flawless start Jayhawk women’s team drops Washburn to finish exhibition schedule 2-0. SPORTS, 1B

L A W R E NC E

Journal-World

®

75 cents

LJWorld.com

MONDAY • NOVEMBER 10 • 2014

What’s so scary about Halloween? Democrats

line up for Davis’ old position

Hillcrest’s decision to scrub the holiday last month prompts discussion among parents, educators By Elliot Hughes Twitter: @ehughes12

W

hen Hillcrest Elementary canceled Halloweenthemed activities this year, a bit of a dust-up ensued. The principal said the decision came in the interest of providing more inclusive and educational activities for students. And principals at three other Lawrence public elementary schools that axed the holiday several years ago said much the same thing. “It was not our intent to take fun away from kids,” explained Hillcrest principal Tammy Becker, who instituted a SCHOOLS health and wellness day, with time for fun, on Oct. 31. “We had a good day, a wonderful day.” Not everyone within the Hillcrest community was enthusiastic about the idea, which also included Valentine’s Day. The week of Halloween, 11 Hillcrest parents penned a letter to the Lawrence school board, which was shared with the JournalWorld, expressing their dismay at the decision. But there’s nothing all that new with schools telling students to leave their capes, masks and lightsabers at home, in Lawrence and elsewhere. The Journal-World reached out to Please see SCARY, page 2A

Two already have declared for minority leadership post By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock

Richard Gwin/Journal-World File Photo

JERREICA SMITH, THEN 11, enjoyed some sweet treats during the Family Fun Festival, a Halloween alternative, at Woodlawn Elementary School in October 2012. Woodlawn is among a growing number of Lawrence schools presenting alternatives to once-beloved in-class holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day.

Topeka — At least two Democratic state representatives plan to run for the job of House Minority Leader in a contest that could expose some rifts within that shrinking caucus. Whoever wins the race LEGISLATURE will succeed Rep. Paul Davis of Lawrence, who stepped down from the House to run for governor. Despite leading in the polls ahead of last week’s election, Davis lost in a Republican tidal wave in which the GOP also appear to have gained six House seats, shrinking the Burroughs Democrats’ number from 33 to 27. House members, including those newly elected, will meet at the statehouse Jan. 1 to elect new leaders in both caucuses. The two announced candidates for the top Democratic job so far are Rep. Ward Tom Burroughs of Kansas City, Kan., the current assistant minority leader, and Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita, a former assistant minority leader. Please see POSITION, page 2A

Safer student walking, biking paths in works after grant “

By Sara Shepherd

Twitter: @saramarieshep

Lawrence will get a $15,000 grant to establish a Safe Routes to Schools plan, with a goal of making paths to school more walkable and bikeable for kids. Implementing a plan will be a team process. Community groups have already been working on gathering information. The city’s partners are the

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, USD 497, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization, LiveWell Lawrence and Lawrence Schools Foundation. According to the city, each has agreed to contribute either funding or in-kind donations of staff time for the effort. “We look forward to working with the community and our partners to develop a comprehensive

INSIDE

Warm, freezing Classified Comics Events listings Horoscope

High: 68

education for students and parents on the benefits of — Chris Tilden, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department physical activity and better enforcement plan,” public works director Chuck of traffic safety laws. Soules said in a news release. The grant from the Kansas Overall, Lawrence’s Safe Department of Transportation, Routes to School initiative considered Phase I, will allow could include plans for how the city to develop plans for each streets and sidewalks are built, school and make recommenda-

There is evidence that kids who walk and bike to school are more active.”

Low: 25

4B-8B 10B 5A 9B

Opinion Puzzles Sports Television

7A 9B 1B-3B 8A, 2B

tions for improvements. Later the city can apply for additional funding from KDOT and other resources to implement improvements in routes to schools. “There is evidence that kids who walk and bike to school are more active,” said Chris Tilden, director of Community Health for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. “As a result, they are healthier and perform better in school.”

Expensive wings

Vol.156/No.314 18 pages

Kansas University Endowment is bankrolling a new airplane for KU, at a cost of up to $8.1 million, to replace one the school bought 17 years ago. Page 3A

Join us at Facebook.com/LJWorld and Twitter.com/LJWorld

Today’s forecast, page 8A

Now Open Sundays

BU Y 3

GET 1

THAT’S S GOOD

FREE!

*

www.bigotires.com SPECIAL FINANCING AVAILABLE^ ^See store for details

4661 W. 6TH LAWRENCE, KS 785.830.9090

2735 SW WANAMAKER TOPEKA, KS 785.271.0194

* Valid at participating locations on select sets of 4 Cooper, Nitto or Sumitomo brand tires. Tire selection varies by location. Installation charges extra. Not valid with other offers. No carry-outs. Up to 10% shop fee based on non-discounted retail price, not to exceed $35, or disposal fees, where permitted. Sale dates 11/10/14 – 12/1/14.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.