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Tag: Kansas
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Some De Soto students upset about guidance on gender identity
DE SOTO, Kan. (KCTV) – Another local school district is wrangling with how to handle gender identity in school.
Monday night, several students expressed their concern to the De Soto school board over a document sent to teachers titled, “Guidance Related to Preferred Names, Pronouns and Gender Identity.” Some of the guidance is due to a new state law that could affect other districts.
De Soto High School senior Lee Barth told the board that his very first teacher there offered a get-to-know-you card asking his preferred name and pronoun.
“While this was a very minor question – it was only being seen by the teacher – it really meant a lot to me,” said Barth.
Now, teachers have been told not to ask about pronouns, though the student can volunteer it. It’s partly about respecting students’ privacy, but it’s also about a new Kansas law passed in May.
Section 27 of House Bill 2567, the school funding bill, specifies that: “A nonacademic test, questionnaire, survey or examination containing any questions about the student’s personal and private attitudes, values, beliefs or practices … shall not be administered … unless the parent or guardian of the student … [is] notified in writing … [and gives] written consent.”
“The request about preferred pronouns could be considered a survey of deeply held beliefs, so we ask teachers not to ask for preferred pronouns,” explained De Soto USD 232 Superintendent Frank Harwood. “But teachers have always asked, ‘Is there a name you’d like to go by other than what’s in the grade book?’ And they can still do that. That’s fine.”
But, there’s also the issue of notifying a parent when a student voluntarily asks to use their preferred name or the gender they align with.
Alexander Shields, who is a senior at Mill Valley High School, first started using the name Alexander during summer camp before 7th grade.
“It was just a way for me to test the waters,” he described. “It was a lot easier to come up to my friends first because I knew they were going to something no matter what. And if they didn’t, I could just ditch them.”
He did the same when he got to school. He hadn’t told his parents yet. He had a hard time getting a read on how they might respond. Then they got a call from the school, he said. He said they are supportive now, but he wishes he could have come out to them on his own terms.
Another student, Apollo Kouns, said his parents were supportive but he knows many are not.
“For some students, this can create an unsafe home environment,” Kouns told the board.
A change in the guidance from an August document to a September iteration allowed that not every student request regarding gender identity dictate a parental notification.
The September guidance indicates that “teachers may use a student’s preferred name informally upon student request” without parental consent, “as it is common for students to use a name other than their legal name of record” (such as someone named Robert who wants to be called Bobby).
A more permanent change, like using a “preferred name in the school yearbook…” or “…updat[ing] the gender identity field” in school records still does require parental notification and consent.
That’s meant to happen only after a social worker “meets with the student and gauges the level of family involvement.” The idea is not to “out” a student without having a discussion that allows the student to decide to go a different direction.
“We’re not going to withhold information from parents. We’re also not going to seek that out without the student’s understanding. Our goal is to support the students through what’s going to be a very difficult situation,” explained Harwood.
Some students noted that it’s not so easy to say, “If you don’t want your parents to know, just use your legal name.” That’s also referred to in the trans community as a “dead name,” as in the one you have left for dead. It can cause mental health strain, said Kouns, which can cause poor performance in school or worse.
Others said the process of involving the student before notifying a parent has not always worked that way. Barth’s parents were notified this year, he said, even though he had turned 18. He said school social workers have enough on their plate besides having to check students’ dates of birth before making calls.
Mill Valley High School Gay-Straight Alliance President Sean Olin described the whole process as odious and burdensome.
“They have to go through all these hoops that other students just plain do not have to go through,” he told the board.
Harwood approached the students after the public comment session, saying he’d like their input on a possible revision. He later told KCTV5 he doesn’t plan to change the specifics, but he’d like to discuss with students why the district is taking the action, then get feedback on that and any circumstances that might be unclear. An updated document, he said, might include clarifying language in that regard.
A copy of the September guidance can be found here.
Copyright 2022 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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Kansas race tests which matters more: Economy or abortion?
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Republicans redrew Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids ′ suburban Kansas City, Kansas-area district this year to make a third term harder for her to win, adding rural areas where former President Donald Trump did well and removing urban areas that Davids had carried handily.
But the dynamic changed in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Kansas voters responded in August by overwhelmingly rejecting a ballot measure expected to lead to more restrictions or a ban on abortion.
The magnitude of that vote has left Davids and other Democrats optimistic. That’s why she is spending the final stretch of the campaign focused on abortion, attempting to keep the same abortion-rights supporters who turned out to vote in August energized to do so again in November.
It’s a delicate task, asking voters who may fault Democrats for rising housing and grocery prices to nonetheless support Davids for Congress.
“I think this has more to do with control and limiting people’s rights,” said swing voter Tanner Klingzell, a 42-year-old from the suburb of Prairie Village who says he is fiscally conservative but socially progressive. He supports abortion rights and says, “I just don’t feel comfortable voting for Republicans.”
The Supreme Court’s abortion ruling has rewritten the script in districts around the country, and both Davids and Republican challenger Amanda Adkins must win over independents and GOP moderates to win the one swing congressional district in an otherwise red state.
Davids became the first lesbian Native American in Congress when she rode suburban anti-Trump sentiment to office in the 2018 election. Her background as a mixed martial arts fighter drew national interest, and Republicans initially tried to group her with “The Squad” of new liberal House members. Those efforts fell flat as she focused on such non-divisive issues as road projects, prescription drug prices and high-speed internet for rural areas.
Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues, a tactic Republicans nationally expect to carry them back to a House majority. She’s also started highlighting crime and border security. She held a news conference on those issues Monday, days after House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy released Republicans’ “Commitment to America” agenda, which promises to fight inflation but also to “protect the lives of unborn children.”
The two have faced off before. Davids defeated Adkins in 2020 by 10 percentage points, but that was before redistricting after the 2020 census. While Democrat Joe Biden would have prevailed in the new district in 2020, his margin would have been roughly half the 10 percentage points he racked up in the old district — and that’s likely true for Davids as well. If Adkins’ percentage of the vote in the suburbs is a few points higher this year than in 2020, she can win.
In suburban Overland Park, Andrea Calvo, a 33-year-old freight-company accounts manager, is hoping Republicans emerge a little stronger from the November election because, in her view, “they have proven to be able to handle the economy better.”
While Calvo, a Republican, doesn’t see herself as a moderate, she voted in August against the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. She sees Adkins’ support for it as “definitely a problem.” But it’s not a deal-breaker.
“It’s all about the economy at the end of the day for me,” she said.
The two campaigns, the parties and political groups are now on track to spend about $8 million on television ads.
Davids’ ads attack Adkins for her long association with former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in cutting taxes was followed by huge, persistent state budget shortfalls. Davids on Saturday launched an ad attacking Adkins on abortion that follows up on multiple Kansas Democratic Party mailings, including to Republicans.
Davids and her backers are painting Adkins as an extremist for supporting the proposed amendment that voters rejected in August. It would have removed protections for abortion from the state Constitution, which would have allowed the state Legislature, dominated by abortion opponents, to greatly restrict or ban abortion.
Davids’ strong, public opposition to the Kansas anti-abortion measure contrasts with three decades of Democratic candidates soft-pedaling their support for abortion rights in most areas of the state. Abortion has been a dominant issue in Kansas politics since the 1991 anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests outside Dr. George Tiller’s clinic in Wichita. Tiller was among the few doctors known to perform abortions late in pregnancy and was shot to death in 2009 by an anti-abortion zealot. Anti-abortion groups have been powerful forces in state politics.
Even with the 3rd District’s new, more Republican leanings, 67.5% of its voters opposed the Kansas anti-abortion measure in the August abortion referendum.
“They were very engaged and sent a strong message about us not wanting to have politicians making our decisions for us,” Davids said.
Adkins describes herself as a Catholic who has “always been pro-life” and “100% committed to protecting life at every stage.” But Adkins said she respects the August vote and opposes federal laws on abortion, saying the issue should be decided at the state level.
“It should not be a federal issue, and Sharice Davids still is focusing on it as a federal issue,” Adkins said after a recent suburban meet-and-greet. Davids voted last year for a Democratic measure to guarantee abortion rights across the U.S. and override state restrictions.
Adkins has not been specific about how far she thinks abortion law should go in Kansas, which bans most abortions at the 22nd week, but said Monday that she would favor any new, incremental state measures that would reduce the number of abortions.
In the new, rural parts of the 3rd District, Democrats say the abortion ruling means volunteers are energized. But Republican state Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall said that Davids is an “extremely hard sell,” especially with conservative farmers. Even Democrats tend to take more conservative positions on issues such as gun rights, she said.
“Also, taxes — people are extremely upset with how high their taxes are right now,” she said.
But about 85% of the district’s voters still live in the suburbs, where centrist and conservative Republicans have feuded for decades, and voters have been electing more Democrats in recent years.
Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, the four-term GOP incumbent ousted by Davids in 2018, praised Adkins as a candidate, but he pointed to the dominance of those suburbs in the district as the reason the race remains challenging for the GOP.
“It’s still a Biden district,” he said.
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Hollingsworth reported from multiple cities in Johnson County, Kansas.
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Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
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Austin Pets Alive! | Where is Charlie Now? Our 1,000th Pet Transport
Apr 19, 2021
When the winter storm hit a few months back, a lot of shelters in Texas were facing one of the hardest decisions they had to make. They needed to get their animals out to a safe shelter or be left with the choice that no shelter ever wants to make, euthanasia. A lot of these shelters are in rural parts of the state where the kennels are outside and their access to resources is always limited, especially during a weather crisis. That is when Austin Pets Alive! and our national division, American Pets Alive!, sprang into action. We made it our mission to get 1,000 pets out of Texas safely to shelters all across the United States. In a matter of just four weeks, we hit our goal with our 1,000th pet being an adorable cat named Charlie.
Charlie traveled all the way from Loredo, TX to KC Pet Project in Kansas. His journey up north was made special by having a first-class seat in a private plane flown by our volunteer pilot friend, David Nelson. Once he landed at KC Pet Project, it was only a matter of days until he found his forever home. We took a moment to hear from his adopter, Kathryn, to see how our 1,000th pet is doing.
It turns out that Kathryn and her husband are both originally from Texas so adopting Charlie who came from Texas as well felt like it was a perfect fit. “We felt like he was our cat from the moment we saw him. Knowing we came from the same place just cemented that feeling.”
You might be wondering what made them choose KC Pet Project and why they felt now was the right time to adopt. It turns out after mourning the cat that they had for over 18 years who died in 2020, they were ready to bring another family member into their life in 2021. They are an “adopt don’t shop” type of family so Kathryn said going to KC Pet Project was a no-brainer. “Their mission and their compassion made them the perfect place for us.”“Charlie (as my husband and I call him), “Fluffy Ball”(as my 5 YO calls him), is full of energy and has brought a lot of humor to our house,” Kathryn gushed when asked about what their family loves about Charlie. “As a 7-month-old cat, he bounces around the house constantly, nipping at our legs when we walk by, chasing toys and balls, jumping on beds… so that has been a source of enjoyment for all of us. He is also extremely gentle and patient with our daughter. She gets in his face, kisses him constantly, follows him around, and he is totally gentle with her and never seems to get tired of her attention.”
It’s clear that Charlie is now living the good life with his new family in Kansas City, surrounded by love and affection every single day. It’s heartbreaking to think what his future would have been if he didn’t get the chance to be transported to KC Pet Project, which is why Kathryn wanted to leave you all with this message. “Adopt, don’t shop! There are so many wonderful animals that need a good home. Also, VOLUNTEER! KC Pet Project has wonderful volunteers and plenty of opportunities for individuals and families to volunteer at their beautiful facilities. Make it your mission to make a difference in animals’ lives, whether through adoption or volunteering at the organizations who help them.”
Austin Pets Alive! is always in need of volunteers, and there are various ways you can do so! From walking dogs to feeding bottle baby kittens, to even transporting pets like Charlie from rural shelters to our doors here in Austin; the list is endless. If you are reading this from the Kansas City area, you can find all of KC Pet Project’s volunteer information on their website as well. We wish Charlie a happily ever after with his new family!
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Jillian A. Wood Promoted to Managing Partner of Stange Law Firm, PC
Stange Law Firm, PC is proud to announce that Jillian A. Wood has been promoted to Managing Partner of Stange Law Firm, PC
Press Release
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updated: Feb 5, 2018
Clayton, Missouri, February 5, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Stange Law Firm, PC is proud to announce that Jillian A. Wood has been promoted to Managing Partner at Stange Law Firm, PC. Stange Law Firm, PC is a divorce and family law firm in the Midwest with offices in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas in areas such as St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Wichita and beyond.Lawyer Jillian A. Wood started with Stange Law Firm, PC in 2012. Jillian began as an associate attorney and has rose through the ranks within the firm having assumed previously several different positions. These positions include being a Senior Associate Attorney, Team Leader and a Partner.
Jillian has been instrumental in the firm’s growth at Stange Law Firm, PC having overseen the rapid growth of the Illinois Offices of the firm. Jillian has also experience handing complex and divorce and family law matters in court through the litigation process.
However, Jillian is also a trained mediator and collaborative attorney. Jillian has also spoken at numerous family law seminars for organizations such as the National Business Institute and Strafford Publications.
As Managing Partner, Jillian will manage the legal functions Stange Law Firm, PC. Jillian will also manage important administrative functions within the law firm.
Stange Law Firm, PC is proud and honored to announce Jillian’s promotion to Manager Partner of Stange Law Firm, PC.
For more information about Stange Law Firm, PC, individuals can call 855-805-0595 or visit the Stange Law Firm, PC online.
Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Kirk Stange, 120 South Central Avenue, Suite 450, Clayton, Missouri 63105.
Source: Stange Law Firm, PC
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Stange Law Firm, PC Opening Family Law & Divorce Office in Wichita, Kansas in Sedgwick County
Stange Law Firm, PC, a divorce and family law firm with offices in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, is proud and honored to announce the opening of their 17th office in Wichita, Kansas in Sedgwick County on February 1, 2018
Press Release
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updated: Jan 7, 2022
Wichita, Kansas, January 25, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Stange Law Firm, PC is opening their 17th office in Wichita, Kansas in Sedgwick County on February 1, 2018. Stange Law Firm, PC is a divorce and family law firm that currently has 16 other offices in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. 13 of those offices are full-time office locations.Stange Law Firm, PC exclusively practices family law because they know that when individuals are going through a divorce or family law matter, it can feel like their whole life is hanging in the balance. Not knowing what will happen to an individual or their family can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety. Divorce lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC in Wichita, Kansas in Sedgwick County will understand their role and the importance of helping clients rebuild their lives.
Attorneys at Stange Law Firm, PC will also help clients with a variety of family law matters in Wichita, Kansas in Sedgwick County besides divorce matters. For example, the firm helps clients with matters such as child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, prenuptial agreements, juvenile matters, guardianships and other domestic relations matters.
Wichita, Kansas is the largest city in the State of Kansas. The firm presently has an office in Kansas City, Kansas in Overland Park where they assist individuals in divorce and family law matters. Opening a new office in Wichita will allow the firm to better serve the firm’s clients and others in the State of Kansas.
Law Firm 500 has ranked Stange Law Firm, PC as one of the 100 fastest growing law firms in the country over the last 2-years. Attorneys at the firm have spoken for organizations such as the Missouri Bar, the National Business Institute, myLawCLE and other organizations. Several attorneys at the firm have also been listed by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine and Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine.
Stange Law Firm PC’s Office in Sedgwick County is located at 2024 North Woodlawn Street, Suite 407, Wichita, Kansas 67208. The phone number is 314-202-2041. The new office opens for business on February 1, 2018. For more information, individuals can also call 855-805-0595.
Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Kirk Stange, 120 South Central Avenue, Suite 450, Clayton, Missouri 63105.
Source: Stange Law Firm, PC
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Attorney Kelly Davidzuk Promoted to Partner at Stange Law Firm, PC
Stange Law Firm, PC is proud to announce that Kelly Davidzuk has been promoted to partner at Stange Law Firm, PC
Press Release
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updated: Jan 7, 2022
Clayton, Missouri, June 22, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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Stange Law Firm, PC is proud to announce the promotion of Lawyer Kelly Davidzuk to Partner at Stange Law Firm, PC. Kelly manages the West Region of Stange Law Firm, PC. This includes the offices in Missouri in St. Charles, Troy and Lee’s Summit. Her region also includes the firm’s office in Overland Park, Kansas. Kelly is licensed in both Missouri and Kansas.St. Charles Divorce Lawyer Kelly Davidzuk has been with Stange Law Firm, PC since 2011. She started as an Associate Attorney at the firm. Over time, she has been promoted to Senior Associate Attorney, Team Leader and has most recently been a Senior Team Leader at the firm.
“The firm is proud and honored to have Kelly Davidzuk as a Partner at Stange Law Firm, PC.”
Kirk Stange, Founding Partner
Kelly limits her practice to family law at the firm, including matters involving divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support and other family law matters. Kelly is also a trained mediator and collaborative family law attorney. Kelly is also a member of the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association.
For her hard work and dedication to the firm and her clients, Kelly has received numerous accolades. From organizations such as the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Lead Counsel, the National Advocates, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and many others, Kelly has been recognized for her skills. Kelly has also presented at family law CLEs for the National Business Institute.
Stange Law Firm, PC is proud and honored to have Kelly Davidzuk as a Partner at Stange Law Firm, PC. Through her hard work and dedication, her promotion is well-deserved.
Stange Law Firm, PC is a divorce and family law firm with offices in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. Recently, the firm was recognized by Law Firm 500 as the 58th fastest growing law firm in the country. The firm began as a St. Louis Divorce and Family Law Firm in 2007, but has expanded over time.
For more information on Kelly Davidzuk and Stange Law Firm, PC, you can call 1-855-805-0595.
Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Kirk Stange is responsible for the content. Principal address is 120 South Central Avenue, Suite 450, Clayton, Missouri 63105.
Source: Stange Law Firm, PC
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Former Youthville Dodge City Campus and Ember Hope’s Wichita Offices to Be Auctioned by Mccurdy Auction
Press Release
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updated: Mar 21, 2017
Wichita, KS, March 21, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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McCurdy Auction is proud to present the former Youthville Dodge City Campus and 100,000 square-foot Wichita offices at auction April 19th and 20th.“After nearly ninety years of serving the children of Kansas, Ember Hope [formerly Youthville] has made the decision to consolidate their facilities as they continue to adapt their mission to the needs of Kansas’s children,” Lonny McCurdy, of McCurdy Auction said.
“After nearly ninety years of serving the children of Kansas, Ember Hope [formerly Youthville] has made the decision to consolidate their facilities as they continue to adapt their mission to the needs of Kansas’s children.”
Lonny McCurdy, Chairman of the Board, Auctioneer
Located southeast of Dodge City, the sprawling 104+/- acre ranch retreat sits along the Arkansas River. The campus is comprised of 24 buildings including dormitories, lodges, classrooms, offices, cafeteria, clinic, chapel, maintenance areas, gymnasium, heated indoor equine arena and livestock facilities.
“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and the potential uses for these properties are endless,” McCurdy said. “With its easy access to major highways and close proximity to town, these properties truly present rare opportunities to buyers.”
Ember Hope’s Wichita office facility is located in the 4,000 block of East 47th Street and features approximately 120 offices and 800 paved parking spaces.
The auction for the Wichita offices will be conducted Wednesday, April 19th at noon. The former Youthville Dodge City Campus will be conducted Thursday, April 20th at noon.
More information on both properties and terms and conditions for bidding, are available at McCurdyAuction.com.
McCurdy Auction, LLC is a full-time regional and multi-state auction firm that has conducted more than 15,000 successful auctions and typically conducts more than 500 auctions annually. They specialize in real estate with licensed real estate brokers and auctioneers in Kansas and Oklahoma.
EmberHope, Inc. is a nonprofit faithbased agency in Kansas touching the lives of thousands of at-risk youth and families each year through three program divisions: Youthville, FCS Counseling and STRIVE.
Contact: Braden McCurdy
(316) 683-0612
Source: McCurdy Auction
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Stange Law Firm, PC to Open New Office in Overland Park, Kansas
Stange Law Firm, PC is opening their 15th firm location. The Overland Park, KS family law attorneys in Johnson County will be opening February 2017. The newest office location will be located at 7300 West 110th Street, Suite 560 in Overland Park, KS 66211.
Press Release
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updated: Jan 7, 2022
Overland Park, Kansas, January 17, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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Stange Law Firm, PC understands that your divorce matter may be one of the most difficult experiences of your life, and having an empathetic Overland Park, Kansas divorce lawyer may just make the process a little bit easier. The divorce and family law attorneys at Stange Law Firm, PC devote themselves to their clients and their case. To better serve the Kansas City, Kansas metro area, the firm has a divorce and family law firm location in Overland Park, Kansas. The Overland Park, KS Paternity Attorneys can be reached locally by calling 913-221-0332 or toll-free 855-805-0595.The Overland Park, Kansas office will be the firm’s first office located in the state of Kansas. The other surrounding firm locations are in the Kansas City metro area, in downtown Kansas City, MO (by appointment only) and in Lee’s Summit, MO. The firm offers the resources and legal staff to better assist clients in Johnson County with their Overland Park, KS child support matters, child custody, divorce, paternity, prenuptial agreements, guardianship, high asset divorce, mediation, collaborative family law, and other domestic matters.
We opened on the Missouri side of Kansas City last year with our first office in Lee’s Summit. We are excited about having the opportunity to serve the residents of Kansas City, Kansas with our newest office in Overland Park in Johnson County.
Kirk C. Stange, Esq., Founding Partner
Stange Law Firm, PC’s Overland Park, Kansas office is conveniently located at the Commerce Plaza. The firm is also honored to serve clients in the surrounding areas, including downtown Kansas City, Kansas. Stange Law Firm, PC’s Overland Park, Kansas modification attorneys are ready to assist starting February 2017.
To schedule a consultation, call 913-221-0332. Our Overland Park, KS child support lawyers and other related domestic matters are able to schedule you a consultation and can meet with one of our attorneys to discuss your family law matter.
Additionally, Stange Law Firm, PC offers a Kansas Child Support Calculator. Click the link to learn more.
Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisement. Kirk Stange is responsible for the content. Principal office is 120 South Central Ave, Suite 450, St. Louis (Clayton), MO 63105.
Source: Stange Law Firm, PC