By RON WILSON, Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Would you like to learn to fly? How about without a plane? If that sounds impossible, meet Little Apple Aerials. This company’s talented staff demonstrates aerial arts and teaches participants to do gymnastics up in the air, complete with a sensation of flying.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Damian and Heidi Hilton are the founders and owners of this remarkable business known as Little Apple Aerials. Damian grew up at Great Bend, where he enjoyed athletics. “I was picking up a friend after my high school basketball practice and he was at the Barton County Community College facility working with the Barton cheerleaders,” Damian said. The Barton yell-leaders invited Damian to join the squad also.&nbsp; He tried it and became a Barton yell-leader.

Damian went on to K-State. One of his Barton cheer partners was on the cheer squad at K-State and talked him into trying out. Not only did Damian make the squad, he went on to become assistant coach and then head cheer coach.

While at K-State, Damian got a job managing the Manhattan Gymnastics Center. He also coached youth sports. The gymnastic elements of cheerleading became a passion and then a profession.

One athlete that Damian was coaching suggested that Damian call her sister Heidi. “Of course, I didn’t do it,” Damian said. But when Damian and Heidi met later on, they made the connection. Heidi and Damian married in 2004.

Heidi grew up in Manhattan and attended K-State, where she became the featured twirler and then a Classy Cat for the K-State band. She was also a professional dancer who would later tour cross-country with the Music Man troupe.

In 2005, the K-State Dance department hosted a guest artist named Joshua Carlson.&nbsp;&nbsp;“They needed an expert,” Damian said. “At one point in the performance, he wanted a dancer to fall from a 20-foot-high ladder. The K-State dance staff said, maybe you better call (Damian).” Damian and Joshua became good friends. Joshua helped Damian and Heidi learn more about the art of aerial performance, as practiced in circuses in Europe and Asia.&nbsp;

In 2010, Damian and Heidi started their own business called Little Apple Aerials. The company offers aerial performances for special events, plus classes in the art of aerial gymnastics. Just as gymnasts have routines, aerial gymnasts also perform but do so while suspended in mid-air. The motion can be like flying. “Our aerialists will swing, fly, drop, and ascend,” Damian said. “They will do drops but never fall.”

Safety is top priority. “We will never have someone perform a move high in the air that they haven’t done hundreds of times on the ground,” Damian said. The Hiltons also set up a business called CheerExcel to assist school cheerleading squads.

Little Apple Aerials performs for parties and other events. “When I started, I was used to being the guy underneath, holding the girl up safely,” Damian said. That changed with time. At one performance, Damian was pulled 35 feet up in the air upside down by a chain motor and then Heidi performed a routine where she lay laterally across his feet. “We were the featured aerialists for the show,” Damian said.

Damian and Heidi have trained with professionals at Cirque du Soliel at Las Vegas and Florida. Their son Aidan and daughter Daisy now perform with them also.

Damian and Heidi have performed at various locations, from an audience of thousands at Century II in Wichita to a cheer camp at the rural community of Weskan, population 341 people. Now, that’s rural.

The Hiltons perform and train such techniques as silks, cerceaux, corde’ lisse, and Spanish Web. In June 2020, they will offer their second annual circus camp in Manhattan, where kids can learn the skills of acrobatics, juggling, clowning and more.

For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.littleappleaerials.com/">www.littleappleaerials.com</a>. For information on the camp, see<a href="http://www.littleapplecircuscamp.com/">www.littleapplecircuscamp.com</a>.

Would you like to learn to fly? How about without a plane? We commend Damian and Heidi Hilton of Little Apple Aerials for making a difference by training people in the aerial arts. I hope their business continues to take off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586786596502.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON, Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentWould you like to learn to fly? How about without a plane? If that sounds impossible, meet Little Apple Aerials. This company’s talented staff demonstrates aerial arts and teaches participants to do gymnastics up in the air, complete with a sensation of flying.&nbsp;&nbsp;Damian and Heidi Hilton are the founders and owners of this remarkable business known as Little Apple Aerials. Damian grew up at Great Bend, where he enjoyed athletics. “I was picking up a friend after my high school basketball practice and he was at the Barton County Community College facility working with the Barton cheerleaders,” Damian said. The Barton yell-leaders invited Damian to join the squad also.&nbsp; He tried it and became a Barton yell-leader.Damian went on to K-State. One of his Barton cheer partners was on the cheer squad at K-State and talked him into trying out. Not only did Damian make the squad, he went on to become assistant coach and then head cheer coach.While at K-State, Damian got a job managing the Manhattan Gymnastics Center. He also coached youth sports. The gymnastic elements of cheerleading became a passion and then a profession.One athlete that Damian was coaching suggested that Damian call her sister Heidi. “Of course, I didn’t do it,” Damian said. But when Damian and Heidi met later on, they made the connection. Heidi and Damian married in 2004.Heidi grew up in Manhattan and attended K-State, where she became the featured twirler and then a Classy Cat for the K-State band. She was also a professional dancer who would later tour cross-country with the Music Man troupe.In 2005, the K-State Dance department hosted a guest artist named Joshua Carlson.&nbsp;&nbsp;“They needed an expert,” Damian said. “At one point in the performance, he wanted a dancer to fall from a 20-foot-high ladder. The K-State dance staff said, maybe you better call (Damian).” Damian and Joshua became good friends. Joshua helped Damian and Heidi learn more about the art of aerial performance, as practiced in circuses in Europe and Asia.&nbsp;In 2010, Damian and Heidi started their own business called Little Apple Aerials. The company offers aerial performances for special events, plus classes in the art of aerial gymnastics. Just as gymnasts have routines, aerial gymnasts also perform but do so while suspended in mid-air. The motion can be like flying. “Our aerialists will swing, fly, drop, and ascend,” Damian said. “They will do drops but never fall.”Safety is top priority. “We will never have someone perform a move high in the air that they haven’t done hundreds of times on the ground,” Damian said. The Hiltons also set up a business called CheerExcel to assist school cheerleading squads.Little Apple Aerials performs for parties and other events. “When I started, I was used to being the guy underneath, holding the girl up safely,” Damian said. That changed with time. At one performance, Damian was pulled 35 feet up in the air upside down by a chain motor and then Heidi performed a routine where she lay laterally across his feet. “We were the featured aerialists for the show,” Damian said.Damian and Heidi have trained with professionals at Cirque du Soliel at Las Vegas and Florida. Their son Aidan and daughter Daisy now perform with them also.Damian and Heidi have performed at various locations, from an audience of thousands at Century II in Wichita to a cheer camp at the rural community of Weskan, population 341 people. Now, that’s rural.The Hiltons perform and train such techniques as silks, cerceaux, corde’ lisse, and Spanish Web. In June 2020, they will offer their second annual circus camp in Manhattan, where kids can learn the skills of acrobatics, juggling, clowning and more.For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.littleappleaerials.com/">www.littleappleaerials.com</a>. For information on the camp, see<a href="http://www.littleapplecircuscamp.com/">www.littleapplecircuscamp.com</a>.Would you like to learn to fly? How about without a plane? We commend Damian and Heidi Hilton of Little Apple Aerials for making a difference by training people in the aerial arts. I hope their business continues to take off.

Now That’s Rural: Damian and Heidi Hilton, Little Apple Aerials

Simple at-home activities can help you stay healthy during stressful times

MANHATTAN – Guidelines for healthy living that are important in normal times are especially valuable in times of potential crisis, such as the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, around the world.

K-State Research and Extension has compiled numerous publications and more information to help people take care of themselves and others during times of crisis. See the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/about-us/covid-19-extension.html">complete list of resources online.</a>

One document,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3422.pdf">Strategies to help you cope</a>, provides common-sense steps that anyone can take to remain healthy. Among the recommendations:

The online publication also includes coping strategies for farmers and ranchers, who are dealing with tight profit margins.

Local K-State Research and Extension agents are still on the job during this time of closures and confinement. They, too, are practicing social distancing. Email is the best way to reach them, but call forwarding and voicemail allow for closed local offices to be reached by phone as well (some responses could be delayed).&nbsp;To find out how to reach your local agents, visit the K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">county and district directory.</a>

<h2>Simple at-home activities can help you stay healthy during stressful times</h2>MANHATTAN – Guidelines for healthy living that are important in normal times are especially valuable in times of potential crisis, such as the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, around the world.K-State Research and Extension has compiled numerous publications and more information to help people take care of themselves and others during times of crisis. See the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/about-us/covid-19-extension.html">complete list of resources online.</a>One document,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3422.pdf">Strategies to help you cope</a>, provides common-sense steps that anyone can take to remain healthy. Among the recommendations:Physical<ol>
 <li>Eat a healthful breakfast.</li><li>Exercise at least 20 minutes daily.</li><li>Take a relaxing bath or shower.</li><li>Abstain from alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.</li>
 </ol>Mental<ol>
 <li>Write your thoughts in a journal or notebook.</li><li>Listen to relaxing music.</li><li>Read a book you enjoy.</li><li>Reach out to someone for support or help.</li>
 </ol>Emotional/Spiritual<ol>
 <li>Tell a loved one what you appreciate about him/her.</li><li>Pray or meditate.</li><li>Do random acts of kindness.</li><li>Write down three things you are grateful for daily.</li>
 </ol>The online publication also includes coping strategies for farmers and ranchers, who are dealing with tight profit margins.Local K-State Research and Extension agents are still on the job during this time of closures and confinement. They, too, are practicing social distancing. Email is the best way to reach them, but call forwarding and voicemail allow for closed local offices to be reached by phone as well (some responses could be delayed).&nbsp;To find out how to reach your local agents, visit the K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">county and district directory.</a>

K-State publication shares strategies to cope with crisis

Our COVID-19 crisis has been escalating quickly and with it, the 
potential collision with the First Amendment over issues involving 
religious liberty and the right of assembly.

Last month, we thought that stopping the spread of the virus was a 
matter of washing our hands thoroughly and avoiding touching our faces.

Now, we’re unable to assemble in groups and many of us are confined to our homes.

Three weeks ago, President Trump dreamed of packed churches on Easter Sunday. At the time, many medical experts found that overly optimistic (or as one put it, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/coronavirus-response-trump-wants-to-reopen-us-economy-by-easter.html" target="_blank">“not rooted in reality.”</a>) Now, with the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/" target="_blank">U.S. approaching 430,000 cases and the death toll nearing 15,000</a>, it seems like an impossibility. Or at least, it should.

But as recently as this past Saturday, President Trump was <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-discusses-opening-country-coronavirus-peaks-areas/story?id=69979743" target="_blank">floating the possibility</a>
 of making a special allowance for churches to have Easter services. 
He’s not the only politician to contemplate loosening the reins for the 
holidays. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster <a href="https://www.wistv.com/2020/04/07/south-carolinians-under-home-or-work-order-could-face-criminal-charges-disobeying/" target="_blank">recently issued a stay-at-home order</a>
 but still recommended that Easter services continue. Kansas, Michigan 
and New Mexico currently exempt worship services from their orders 
prohibiting gatherings in large groups.

The fact that some government officials think this is worth the risk 
reflects the push back we’ve seen from some religious leaders ever since
 state and local governments started prohibiting large gatherings and 
shutting down non-essential businesses, including churches, synagogues 
and other houses of worship. For example, Louisiana pastor Tony Spell has <a href="https://www.insider.com/pastor-tony-spell-charged-speaks-out-about-continuing-services-2020-4" target="_blank">continued to lead in-person services</a>, calling the closure of his Life Tabernacle Church religious persecution and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/us/louisiana-pastor-spell-coronavirus/index.html" target="_blank">questioning why</a>
 retailers were deemed essential but churches not. “We hold our 
religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what 
someone says,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/490657-worshippers-gather-for-louisiana-church-service-after-pastor-charged" target="_blank">Spell said in an interview</a>.

But while Spell is framing the state’s order as a violation of his 
First Amendment rights, that’s not actually the case. Along with being 
rooted in the public’s best interest, it’s also important to note that 
the orders restricting the size of gatherings and shutting down 
non-essential businesses are, at this time, the least restrictive 
options available to protect public health. In short, this means they’re
 almost certainly constitutional — but granting an exemption to one of 
these orders for houses of worship may not be.

The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause requires that the 
government treat secular and religious organizations equally, without 
favoring one over the other. As Rachel Laser, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, <a href="https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/religious-services-shouldnt-be-excluded-from-bans-against-large-gatherings-to" target="_blank">put it</a>,
 “[W]hen health experts and public officials determine that large 
gatherings must be cancelled for the public good, we must follow their 
lead and apply these guidelines to secular and religious gatherings 
equally. The Constitution not only permits it, but demands it. 
Such restrictions do not violate religious freedom; they ensure 
religious freedom is not misused in ways that risk people’s lives.”

This week I had the pleasure of moderating a (virtual) Freedom Forum panel on<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/event/you-mean-i-cant-what-religious-freedom-in-difficult-times/" target="_blank"> religious freedom in the time of COVID-19</a> and discussing these issues and more with legal experts Richard Foltin and Maggie Garrett, atheist thought leader Mandisa Thomas and seminary-trained religious liberty advocate Charles Watson Jr.
 One question from the audience that stood out to me was from an 
attendee who wondered if there was more to the conversation than just 
religious freedom versus public health. Did these two values have to be 
on opposing sides? Weren’t there things that religious communities could
 proactively do in service of public health — starting with asking their
 members to stay at home, of course, but going beyond that to encourage 
them to volunteer their time and monetary resources, donate blood and 
generally provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our 
population? You can find the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpbwKjKPNA" target="_blank">full webinar</a> on the Freedom Forum’s YouTube channel.

It was a reminder to me of the crucial charitable function that 
religious organizations have often served in crisis situations. As 
Baylor University professors Byron Johnson and Thomas Kidd <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/03/29/responding-to-covid-19-would-be-a-lot-harder-without-churches-and-christian-groups/?utm_source=link_newsv9&amp;utm_campaign=item_307619&amp;utm_medium=copy" target="_blank">point out</a>, “When
 it comes to confronting contemporary social turmoil, communities of 
faith have always played an important role in working toward solutions.”
 Many religious organizations are doing this right now. Leaders from the
 National Association of Evangelicals and Christianity Today <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march-web-only/walter-kim-nae-timothy-dalrymple-cancel-church-or-not.html" target="_blank">published a joint statement </a>reminding
 people that “God cannot be consigned to a place.” They added: “It is 
one thing to risk your own life in order to worship together in person; 
it is quite another to risk the lives of countless others, when so many 
churches are finding creative and compelling ways to carry on in worship
 and community from a distance.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter 
Day Saints <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-slaps-travel-restrictions-most-europe-n1156266/ncrd1157411#blogHeader" target="_blank">suspended all services worldwide on March 12</a>
 (a lifetime ago in the COVID-19 timeline). Houses of worship have been 
providing crucial material and social support to those who suddenly find
 themselves in need of it. &nbsp;

As the pandemic continues, my hope is that these narratives become 
more common and stories of church leaders risking the lives of their 
congregants seem like a distant memory.

Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at <a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579206978168.png" alt="Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow." />
 <figcaption>Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow.</figcaption>
 </figure>Our COVID-19 crisis has been escalating quickly and with it, the 
potential collision with the First Amendment over issues involving 
religious liberty and the right of assembly.Last month, we thought that stopping the spread of the virus was a 
matter of washing our hands thoroughly and avoiding touching our faces.Now, we’re unable to assemble in groups and many of us are confined to our homes.Three weeks ago, President Trump dreamed of packed churches on Easter Sunday. At the time, many medical experts found that overly optimistic (or as one put it, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/coronavirus-response-trump-wants-to-reopen-us-economy-by-easter.html" target="_blank">“not rooted in reality.”</a>) Now, with the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/" target="_blank">U.S. approaching 430,000 cases and the death toll nearing 15,000</a>, it seems like an impossibility. Or at least, it should.But as recently as this past Saturday, President Trump was <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-discusses-opening-country-coronavirus-peaks-areas/story?id=69979743" target="_blank">floating the possibility</a>
 of making a special allowance for churches to have Easter services. 
He’s not the only politician to contemplate loosening the reins for the 
holidays. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster <a href="https://www.wistv.com/2020/04/07/south-carolinians-under-home-or-work-order-could-face-criminal-charges-disobeying/" target="_blank">recently issued a stay-at-home order</a>
 but still recommended that Easter services continue. Kansas, Michigan 
and New Mexico currently exempt worship services from their orders 
prohibiting gatherings in large groups.The fact that some government officials think this is worth the risk 
reflects the push back we’ve seen from some religious leaders ever since
 state and local governments started prohibiting large gatherings and 
shutting down non-essential businesses, including churches, synagogues 
and other houses of worship. For example, Louisiana pastor Tony Spell has <a href="https://www.insider.com/pastor-tony-spell-charged-speaks-out-about-continuing-services-2020-4" target="_blank">continued to lead in-person services</a>, calling the closure of his Life Tabernacle Church religious persecution and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/us/louisiana-pastor-spell-coronavirus/index.html" target="_blank">questioning why</a>
 retailers were deemed essential but churches not. “We hold our 
religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what 
someone says,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/490657-worshippers-gather-for-louisiana-church-service-after-pastor-charged" target="_blank">Spell said in an interview</a>.But while Spell is framing the state’s order as a violation of his 
First Amendment rights, that’s not actually the case. Along with being 
rooted in the public’s best interest, it’s also important to note that 
the orders restricting the size of gatherings and shutting down 
non-essential businesses are, at this time, the least restrictive 
options available to protect public health. In short, this means they’re
 almost certainly constitutional — but granting an exemption to one of 
these orders for houses of worship may not be.The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause requires that the 
government treat secular and religious organizations equally, without 
favoring one over the other. As Rachel Laser, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, <a href="https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/religious-services-shouldnt-be-excluded-from-bans-against-large-gatherings-to" target="_blank">put it</a>,
 “[W]hen health experts and public officials determine that large 
gatherings must be cancelled for the public good, we must follow their 
lead and apply these guidelines to secular and religious gatherings 
equally. The Constitution not only permits it, but demands it. 
Such restrictions do not violate religious freedom; they ensure 
religious freedom is not misused in ways that risk people’s lives.”This week I had the pleasure of moderating a (virtual) Freedom Forum panel on<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/event/you-mean-i-cant-what-religious-freedom-in-difficult-times/" target="_blank"> religious freedom in the time of COVID-19</a> and discussing these issues and more with legal experts Richard Foltin and Maggie Garrett, atheist thought leader Mandisa Thomas and seminary-trained religious liberty advocate Charles Watson Jr.
 One question from the audience that stood out to me was from an 
attendee who wondered if there was more to the conversation than just 
religious freedom versus public health. Did these two values have to be 
on opposing sides? Weren’t there things that religious communities could
 proactively do in service of public health — starting with asking their
 members to stay at home, of course, but going beyond that to encourage 
them to volunteer their time and monetary resources, donate blood and 
generally provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our 
population? You can find the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpbwKjKPNA" target="_blank">full webinar</a> on the Freedom Forum’s YouTube channel.It was a reminder to me of the crucial charitable function that 
religious organizations have often served in crisis situations. As 
Baylor University professors Byron Johnson and Thomas Kidd <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/03/29/responding-to-covid-19-would-be-a-lot-harder-without-churches-and-christian-groups/?utm_source=link_newsv9&amp;utm_campaign=item_307619&amp;utm_medium=copy" target="_blank">point out</a>, “When
 it comes to confronting contemporary social turmoil, communities of 
faith have always played an important role in working toward solutions.”
 Many religious organizations are doing this right now. Leaders from the
 National Association of Evangelicals and Christianity Today <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march-web-only/walter-kim-nae-timothy-dalrymple-cancel-church-or-not.html" target="_blank">published a joint statement </a>reminding
 people that “God cannot be consigned to a place.” They added: “It is 
one thing to risk your own life in order to worship together in person; 
it is quite another to risk the lives of countless others, when so many 
churches are finding creative and compelling ways to carry on in worship
 and community from a distance.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter 
Day Saints <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-slaps-travel-restrictions-most-europe-n1156266/ncrd1157411#blogHeader" target="_blank">suspended all services worldwide on March 12</a>
 (a lifetime ago in the COVID-19 timeline). Houses of worship have been 
providing crucial material and social support to those who suddenly find
 themselves in need of it. &nbsp;As the pandemic continues, my hope is that these narratives become 
more common and stories of church leaders risking the lives of their 
congregants seem like a distant memory.Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at <a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Religious communities can play huge role — but not by gathering for services

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

WAKEENEY - Even though Kansas school rooms are closed for the remainder of the spring semester, lessons and even student club activities are continuing.

In addition to attending her classes that were moved online, McKenna Flax, secretary of the Trego Junior High KAY Club, is also helping with her organization's spring service project, which also had to change how it's traditionally conducted.

Cheryl Gleason, Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) Organization state sponsor through the Kansas State High School Activities Association, asked clubs to still work on their projects. 

In WaKeeney, the entire community has been involved in a three-week social distancing scavenger hunt, according to Flax. The hunted items reflect Kansas State Department of Education pillars of education - respect and caring, citizenship and school spirit.&nbsp;

Businesses and residents have been displaying hearts, the American flag and pictures of Trego Eagle Epic Spirit on their business windows and doors, and house windows and front doors.

"People have been taking a lot of pictures all over the place and submitting them to Facebook," Flax said. The online submissions ensure participants are complying with social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Businesses and homeowners had plenty of heart art and flags to display during weeks 1 and 2 of the scavenger hunt, but not everybody had access to a representation of the Eagle mascot for week 3.

Lori Dietz, Trego Community High School art teacher and sponsor of the TCHS KAY club, along with her daughter Annika came up with a Trego Eagle stencil design that could be drawn on sidewalks with chalk or painted on windows. They even created a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDVCOvbhN4&amp;feature=share&amp;fbclid=IwAR3rsnd6eG2vTbu0WpPblB-R5II7gNFfs539OfyK3zB9XjkqGy5m92QgeF8">Youtube video</a> with directions on how to use the stencil.&nbsp;

"I think the project is working good," said Flax, an eighth grader.&nbsp; "It gives people things to do. Families just drive around town and try to find them."

The names of those who've posted their pictures of the scavenger hunt items will be put into a drawing for a prize-winning family pack to be revealed this week.

McDonald's of WaKeeney and Hays has contributed Extra Value Meal coupons and Treat cards for the Family Prize Pack, according to Stacie Minson, sponsor of the Jr. High KAY Club.

"KAY is a service organization and this was one way to bring the school activities and service to the community (after Kansas schools were closed," Minson said.&nbsp;

"We have young to old participating. There are some senior citizens displaying things in their windows," Minson added, "and their grandchildren are posting the grandparents' addresses on Facebook, saying go to this address. So it lets the older citizens be involved in this too."&nbsp;

McKenna's mother, Latrisha Flax, sponsors the high school KAY Club which also had to change its leadership project originally involving face-to-face activity with students in kindergarten through third grade.

Now, any age group can get involved online with #boysrockgirlsrule, says Flax.

"We posted it on Twitter that anyone can post activities that they're doing at home, such as physical activities, crafts, family dance parties, sisters doing each others' hair, brothers playing ball, things like that.

"They put the hashtag #boysrockgirlsrule and tag us at&nbsp; #tchskay."&nbsp;

For every post the club gets, it will donate a dollar to the local food pantry in WaKeeney.

"Our schools have been charged by KSDE with more real world interaction and learning, and one of the pillars of education is civic duty.&nbsp;

"That's where KAY comes in," explains Flax, "and helping schools meet that goal by providing civic duty and leadership education to students."

"We've seen people walking and biking as the weather's gotten nicer looking for things and you see the kids pointing to them, looking for the hearts and flags and eagles," Minson said.&nbsp;"Most places have left up all three weeks displays."

"It's a way to keep the social distancing but still have a family activity."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586375832476.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostWAKEENEY - Even though Kansas school rooms are closed for the remainder of the spring semester, lessons and even student club activities are continuing.In addition to attending her classes that were moved online, McKenna Flax, secretary of the Trego Junior High KAY Club, is also helping with her organization's spring service project, which also had to change how it's traditionally conducted.Cheryl Gleason, Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) Organization state sponsor through the Kansas State High School Activities Association, asked clubs to still work on their projects. In WaKeeney, the entire community has been involved in a three-week social distancing scavenger hunt, according to Flax. The hunted items reflect Kansas State Department of Education pillars of education - respect and caring, citizenship and school spirit.&nbsp;Businesses and residents have been displaying hearts, the American flag and pictures of Trego Eagle Epic Spirit on their business windows and doors, and house windows and front doors."People have been taking a lot of pictures all over the place and submitting them to Facebook," Flax said. The online submissions ensure participants are complying with social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;Businesses and homeowners had plenty of heart art and flags to display during weeks 1 and 2 of the scavenger hunt, but not everybody had access to a representation of the Eagle mascot for week 3.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586794536115.jpeg" alt="Power Trego Eagle stencil created by Lori and Annika Dietz" />
 <figcaption>Power Trego Eagle stencil created by Lori and Annika Dietz</figcaption>
 </figure>Lori Dietz, Trego Community High School art teacher and sponsor of the TCHS KAY club, along with her daughter Annika came up with a Trego Eagle stencil design that could be drawn on sidewalks with chalk or painted on windows. They even created a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDVCOvbhN4&amp;feature=share&amp;fbclid=IwAR3rsnd6eG2vTbu0WpPblB-R5II7gNFfs539OfyK3zB9XjkqGy5m92QgeF8">Youtube video</a> with directions on how to use the stencil.&nbsp;"I think the project is working good," said Flax, an eighth grader.&nbsp; "It gives people things to do. Families just drive around town and try to find them."The names of those who've posted their pictures of the scavenger hunt items will be put into a drawing for a prize-winning family pack to be revealed this week.McDonald's of WaKeeney and Hays has contributed Extra Value Meal coupons and Treat cards for the Family Prize Pack, according to Stacie Minson, sponsor of the Jr. High KAY Club."KAY is a service organization and this was one way to bring the school activities and service to the community (after Kansas schools were closed," Minson said.&nbsp;"We have young to old participating. There are some senior citizens displaying things in their windows," Minson added, "and their grandchildren are posting the grandparents' addresses on Facebook, saying go to this address. So it lets the older citizens be involved in this too."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586376217652.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>McKenna's mother, Latrisha Flax, sponsors the high school KAY Club which also had to change its leadership project originally involving face-to-face activity with students in kindergarten through third grade.Now, any age group can get involved online with #boysrockgirlsrule, says Flax."We posted it on Twitter that anyone can post activities that they're doing at home, such as physical activities, crafts, family dance parties, sisters doing each others' hair, brothers playing ball, things like that."They put the hashtag #boysrockgirlsrule and tag us at&nbsp; #tchskay."&nbsp;For every post the club gets, it will donate a dollar to the local food pantry in WaKeeney."Our schools have been charged by KSDE with more real world interaction and learning, and one of the pillars of education is civic duty.&nbsp;"That's where KAY comes in," explains Flax, "and helping schools meet that goal by providing civic duty and leadership education to students."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586801954883.jpeg" alt="Hearts posted in the window of TJ's Alignment and Repair, WaKeeney, for the Trego Junior High KAY Club scavenger hunt. (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Hearts posted in the window of TJ's Alignment and Repair, WaKeeney, for the Trego Junior High KAY Club scavenger hunt. (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>"We've seen people walking and biking as the weather's gotten nicer looking for things and you see the kids pointing to them, looking for the hearts and flags and eagles," Minson said.&nbsp;"Most places have left up all three weeks displays.""It's a way to keep the social distancing but still have a family activity."

TJH KAY Club tackles service learning while social distancing

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed a second positive case of COVID-19 in Ellis County. 

The patient is doing well and currently in home isolation, following the guidance of the CDC and ECHD.

The positive case was identified through testing sent to a private lab. 

These results will be verified by the CDC lab but will be treated as a positive unless determined otherwise.

ECHD has followed KDHE guidelines to identify any close contacts of the individual. Contacts have already been notified and directed to self-quarantine for 14 days. 

The patient is a female in her 40s. No other information can be provided about the patient.

The two positive cases in Ellis County have no connection to each other. Neither case has a recent travel history. 

Residents and visitors of Ellis County need to remain diligent in social distancing. It is important to remember to take basic precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill. Continue to follow and understand guidance provided by CDC, KDHE and ECHD. Make the individual choice to protect yourself and others around you.

Stay informed as information changes frequently. 

<a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19 or www.kdheks.gov/. </a>

Call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or ECHD at 628-9440.

Ellis County Health DepartmentThe Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed a second positive case of COVID-19 in Ellis County. The patient is doing well and currently in home isolation, following the guidance of the CDC and ECHD.The positive case was identified through testing sent to a private lab. These results will be verified by the CDC lab but will be treated as a positive unless determined otherwise.ECHD has followed KDHE guidelines to identify any close contacts of the individual. Contacts have already been notified and directed to self-quarantine for 14 days. The patient is a female in her 40s. No other information can be provided about the patient.The two positive cases in Ellis County have no connection to each other. Neither case has a recent travel history. Residents and visitors of Ellis County need to remain diligent in social distancing. It is important to remember to take basic precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill. Continue to follow and understand guidance provided by CDC, KDHE and ECHD. Make the individual choice to protect yourself and others around you.Stay informed as information changes frequently. <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19 or www.kdheks.gov/. </a>Call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or ECHD at 628-9440.

COVID-19: Second positive case in Ellis County

As COVID-19 precautions shuttered doors at schools, colleges and universities across Kansas, the campus of NCK Tech is dealing with the reality of students having their hands-on education come to a halt.&nbsp;

The college, however, is taking innovative approaches to keep as many programs on track as possible and is looking at options including bringing back students to campus as needed after the stay-at-home order ends to complete what they cannot complete online.

"We are really challenging both our instructors and our students to try to find a way through all of this, and we are trying to be as innovative as we can help people learn these skills in an online format," said NCK Tech President Eric Burks.

If students need extra time to complete the hands-on learning, he said, they are considering summer sessions.

"Of course ,that is the most difficult thing about dealing with this entire issue is that the timeline is so uncertain," Burks said.

As the semester was nearing completion at the time of the shutdown order, he said many of the competencies had been covered already, so for many students completing course work online will allow the students to complete the year remotely.

But just like traditional colleges, the shift to remote course work so quickly brought concerns and difficulties to students and instructors.

"All of our fields are immersed in technology," he said, but they are in hand-on fields so to be "removed by a computer screen is a challenge. There is no other way to put it," Burks said.

In the nursing department, the state department of nursing allows simulation training to cover some of the required competencies, and instructors have worked with carpentry and other construction program students to adapt as much as possible into home-based learning.

"Obviously, none of it is going to replace dealing with a real human being and being there and actually doing it in person, but some of it can be simulated," Burks said.

Another saving grace of the timing of the order, he said is that many students had already completed their on-campus work and were completing internships, so as long as those businesses are operating, the students are still working toward their program completion.

"We are asking our students and instructors to be prepared to finish the semester completely online," Burks said.

But doing so means that many hands-on projects, such as their yearly house-building project, will be impacted.

If students return to campus before the end of the semester, they may yet be able to finish the house. If not, other options are being considered.

He said NCK Tech also has many projects ongoing in its automotive department and other various projects for the city — related to electricity, carpentry, plumbing and HVAC — that have been delayed.

And the school is reaching out to everyone with a vehicle in its shop to find out how the owner would like to proceed.

With the current restriction on groups of less than 10 in place until May 1, Burks said they are leaving their options open if the campus is allowed to reopen before the end of the semester — but stressed the safety of the staff and the students is paramount.

If the students are allowed to return, some of the projects may be completed while practicing social distancing with limited students working together at one time.

"I really applaud our instructors and staff for all of their efforts working through this and our students as well for being flexible and making the best of this situation that we are all dealing with,"&nbsp;Burks said.

Even with the sudden shift to remote learning, Burks said most students are handling the situation well.

"They understand the severity and the seriousness of this and that we are doing all of this to protect them," he said. "I think spirits are high. They are struggling a little bit but working through it together."

Even as course completions on campus remain a question, the college has already decided to shift graduation ceremonies online.

Graduation was scheduled for May 8 on the Beloit campus and May 9 in Hays.

"We are probably going to do a video or virtual graduation," Burks said. "Even if they lift the stay-at-home order, we will still have the mass-gathering limitations."

He offered the challenge to the staff to finds ways to embrace the virtual graduation by including things into the program that could not be done in person.

"We are pretty excited about the plans that we have and what technology might allow us to do to recognize and celebrate these students for what they have accomplished and for a big milestone in their lives," he said.

<div><iframe title="NCK Tech graduation to go online amid COVID-19 concerns" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/drvmc-d8bda9?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAs COVID-19 precautions shuttered doors at schools, colleges and universities across Kansas, the campus of NCK Tech is dealing with the reality of students having their hands-on education come to a halt.&nbsp;The college, however, is taking innovative approaches to keep as many programs on track as possible and is looking at options including bringing back students to campus as needed after the stay-at-home order ends to complete what they cannot complete online."We are really challenging both our instructors and our students to try to find a way through all of this, and we are trying to be as innovative as we can help people learn these skills in an online format," said NCK Tech President Eric Burks.If students need extra time to complete the hands-on learning, he said, they are considering summer sessions."Of course ,that is the most difficult thing about dealing with this entire issue is that the timeline is so uncertain," Burks said.As the semester was nearing completion at the time of the shutdown order, he said many of the competencies had been covered already, so for many students completing course work online will allow the students to complete the year remotely.But just like traditional colleges, the shift to remote course work so quickly brought concerns and difficulties to students and instructors."All of our fields are immersed in technology," he said, but they are in hand-on fields so to be "removed by a computer screen is a challenge. There is no other way to put it," Burks said.In the nursing department, the state department of nursing allows simulation training to cover some of the required competencies, and instructors have worked with carpentry and other construction program students to adapt as much as possible into home-based learning."Obviously, none of it is going to replace dealing with a real human being and being there and actually doing it in person, but some of it can be simulated," Burks said.Another saving grace of the timing of the order, he said is that many students had already completed their on-campus work and were completing internships, so as long as those businesses are operating, the students are still working toward their program completion."We are asking our students and instructors to be prepared to finish the semester completely online," Burks said.But doing so means that many hands-on projects, such as their yearly house-building project, will be impacted.If students return to campus before the end of the semester, they may yet be able to finish the house. If not, other options are being considered.He said NCK Tech also has many projects ongoing in its automotive department and other various projects for the city — related to electricity, carpentry, plumbing and HVAC — that have been delayed.And the school is reaching out to everyone with a vehicle in its shop to find out how the owner would like to proceed.With the current restriction on groups of less than 10 in place until May 1, Burks said they are leaving their options open if the campus is allowed to reopen before the end of the semester — but stressed the safety of the staff and the students is paramount.If the students are allowed to return, some of the projects may be completed while practicing social distancing with limited students working together at one time."I really applaud our instructors and staff for all of their efforts working through this and our students as well for being flexible and making the best of this situation that we are all dealing with,"&nbsp;Burks said.Even with the sudden shift to remote learning, Burks said most students are handling the situation well."They understand the severity and the seriousness of this and that we are doing all of this to protect them," he said. "I think spirits are high. They are struggling a little bit but working through it together."Even as course completions on campus remain a question, the college has already decided to shift graduation ceremonies online.Graduation was scheduled for May 8 on the Beloit campus and May 9 in Hays."We are probably going to do a video or virtual graduation," Burks said. "Even if they lift the stay-at-home order, we will still have the mass-gathering limitations."He offered the challenge to the staff to finds ways to embrace the virtual graduation by including things into the program that could not be done in person."We are pretty excited about the plans that we have and what technology might allow us to do to recognize and celebrate these students for what they have accomplished and for a big milestone in their lives," he said.

🎤NCK Tech shifts to virtual graduation; continues plans to finish semester

With art galleries closed as a precaution against, Fort Hays State University is offering a virtual exhibition of the&nbsp;2020 Annual Student Honors Exhibition.

Sixty-one photos of the art pieces, including painting, sculpture, textiles and other media are available on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Moss-Thorns-Gallery-of-Art-and-Patricia-A-Schmidt-Gallery-109295563837821/photos/?tab=album&amp;album_id=216836893083687">Moss-Thorns Galley of Art Facebook Page.</a>

Follow the link above. Below is the gallery's welcome message.

Welcome to the 2020 Annual Student Honors Exhibition! Due to COVID-19, the FHSU Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art &amp; the Patricia A. Schmidt Gallery Lobby created a virtual exhibition to display the works of the amazing students who encompass the FHSU Art &amp; Design Department.

This exhibition showcases the variety of mediums used in the arts and the many talents our students possess as they enhance their specific field of study.

Three students were selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship in the name of Earl O. and Winona M. Field, and 20 students were selected for a $200 Art &amp; Design Department Scholarship.

Our sincere appreciation to Ron Michael, director of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, for jurying the show and to all of the students who submitted their work.

Congratulations to the students selected for the exhibition and to those who received a scholarship or Senior Recognition Award.

Enjoy viewing the artwork of our talented student artists!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586465871276.png" alt=""Is She Pretty on the Inside" by Emily Kohls is one of the art pieces in the FHSU&nbsp;2020 Annual Student Honors Exhibition.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>"Is She Pretty on the Inside" by Emily Kohls is one of the art pieces in the FHSU&nbsp;2020 Annual Student Honors Exhibition.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedWith art galleries closed as a precaution against, Fort Hays State University is offering a virtual exhibition of the&nbsp;2020 Annual Student Honors Exhibition.Sixty-one photos of the art pieces, including painting, sculpture, textiles and other media are available on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Moss-Thorns-Gallery-of-Art-and-Patricia-A-Schmidt-Gallery-109295563837821/photos/?tab=album&amp;album_id=216836893083687">Moss-Thorns Galley of Art Facebook Page.</a>Follow the link above. Below is the gallery's welcome message.Welcome to the 2020 Annual Student Honors Exhibition! Due to COVID-19, the FHSU Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art &amp; the Patricia A. Schmidt Gallery Lobby created a virtual exhibition to display the works of the amazing students who encompass the FHSU Art &amp; Design Department.This exhibition showcases the variety of mediums used in the arts and the many talents our students possess as they enhance their specific field of study.Three students were selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship in the name of Earl O. and Winona M. Field, and 20 students were selected for a $200 Art &amp; Design Department Scholarship.Our sincere appreciation to Ron Michael, director of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, for jurying the show and to all of the students who submitted their work.Congratulations to the students selected for the exhibition and to those who received a scholarship or Senior Recognition Award.Enjoy viewing the artwork of our talented student artists!

View FHSU Student Honors Art Exhibition online

<div> <script src="https://embed-687032.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="4d54040b-ce85-4408-9183-c8df4c643335" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-UYNuOT9O8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

PLAY NOW: Taco Shop's Home Run Quiz

Thomas More Prep-Marian recently announced Brenda Rose will join TMP-Marian Jr./Sr. High School as a junior high English instructor in preparation for the 2020-21 academic year.&nbsp;

Upon earning her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Fort Hays State University, master's of education from Wichita State, and building-level administration certificate from FHSU, Rose — a 2001 graduate of TMP-Marian — began her teaching career in 2004 with the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center in Oakley.

Since, Rose has continued her career in education with Colby Grade School, Colby; Ellis Junior High, Ellis; Kansas State University, Manhattan; FHSU; and Hays Middle School.

“Strong, respectful relationships are a priority of mine as a teacher," Rose said. "I want my students to be motivated to learn while enjoying their time in my classroom. I strive to challenge them on a daily basis to work to their greatest potential while also learning how to be good, Christian people.”

Rose holds TMP-Marian in a special place in her heart.

“Being able to have my own children attend Holy Family and eventually TMP-Marian was a driving force behind relocating to Hays seven years ago.&nbsp; I love that TMP-Marian is founded on faith, while also focusing on strong academics and helping to teach our students holistically,” said Rose regarding why she chose to join TMP-Marian.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am excited that my love of teaching and working with young adults can be paired with my faith and love of TMP-Marian,” Rose said.

“One of the most important factors in the quality of a child’s education is a great classroom teacher," said&nbsp;TMP-Marian Principal Chad Meitner. "For the formative years of junior high school, this importance is dramatically clear. With this understanding, it is easy to see why we’re so excited to have Brenda join TMP-Marian Junior High. Combine this with the value of a strong English language arts instructor, and TMP-Marian is blessed to welcome her to the faculty."

Rose said, “At the end of the year I want students to leave my classroom knowing I care about each and every one of them and have done what I could to prepare them not only for the next grade level but life."

In her new role with TMP-Marian Junior High, Rose will take over for Carol Brull who, in January, announced her retirement from teaching after 45 years in education at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. Brull was a part of the inaugural staff of TMP-Marian Junior High when it opened in 2012.

TMP-MThomas More Prep-Marian recently announced Brenda Rose will join TMP-Marian Jr./Sr. High School as a junior high English instructor in preparation for the 2020-21 academic year.&nbsp;Upon earning her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Fort Hays State University, master's of education from Wichita State, and building-level administration certificate from FHSU, Rose — a 2001 graduate of TMP-Marian — began her teaching career in 2004 with the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center in Oakley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586533127064.jpeg" alt="Brenda Rose" />
 <figcaption>Brenda Rose</figcaption>
 </figure>Since, Rose has continued her career in education with Colby Grade School, Colby; Ellis Junior High, Ellis; Kansas State University, Manhattan; FHSU; and Hays Middle School.“Strong, respectful relationships are a priority of mine as a teacher," Rose said. "I want my students to be motivated to learn while enjoying their time in my classroom. I strive to challenge them on a daily basis to work to their greatest potential while also learning how to be good, Christian people.”Rose holds TMP-Marian in a special place in her heart.“Being able to have my own children attend Holy Family and eventually TMP-Marian was a driving force behind relocating to Hays seven years ago.&nbsp; I love that TMP-Marian is founded on faith, while also focusing on strong academics and helping to teach our students holistically,” said Rose regarding why she chose to join TMP-Marian.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I am excited that my love of teaching and working with young adults can be paired with my faith and love of TMP-Marian,” Rose said.“One of the most important factors in the quality of a child’s education is a great classroom teacher," said&nbsp;TMP-Marian Principal Chad Meitner. "For the formative years of junior high school, this importance is dramatically clear. With this understanding, it is easy to see why we’re so excited to have Brenda join TMP-Marian Junior High. Combine this with the value of a strong English language arts instructor, and TMP-Marian is blessed to welcome her to the faculty."Rose said, “At the end of the year I want students to leave my classroom knowing I care about each and every one of them and have done what I could to prepare them not only for the next grade level but life."In her new role with TMP-Marian Junior High, Rose will take over for Carol Brull who, in January, announced her retirement from teaching after 45 years in education at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. Brull was a part of the inaugural staff of TMP-Marian Junior High when it opened in 2012.

TMP-Marian hires Rose as new English teacher

My head is spinning from all of the information that has come to me in the past week via Zoom meetings, e-mails and webinars. In fact, three days this past week I had the opportunity to join with Extension faculty from across the country for some serious networking. Since I am serving my state professional association as president this year, I was registered to attend the Leadership Conference in Washington DC. With the current shut down of events, the committee worked quickly to take us to Washington DC virtually.&nbsp;

The speakers at the conference were great and their message consistently was, “We can come out of this challenging time in our lives, stronger than we were before.”&nbsp; I know for many people, that statement may be a hard sell. A self-employed business owner doesn’t get a pay check when they can’t be open for business. Medical staff and all other essential workers have to be feeling tired and stressed from the long hours and strict protocols that have to be enforced.

K-State Research and Extension Administrators made some difficult decisions this week as they pushed the date forward to July 4th for no face to face meetings or events. This is a busy time of year for agents in the Cottonwood District with many youth events, crop tours, and educational meetings that would normally be scheduled. While cancelling these events is disappointing, it is the right thing to do. &nbsp;

In a letter from Wade Weber sent to our 4-H families, our State 4-H Leader he states, “We did not take this decision lightly. We are doing this because the health and well-being of our participants, employees and volunteers must be our top priority. In order to ensure quality programs for late spring/early summer, we need to shift from preparation and planning for face-to-face activities to alternative activities.”

You can be sure that our Cottonwood Extension District Team is working hard to create those alternative activities; turning these challenging times into opportunities. Our staff meets weekly to discuss ways to utilize technology to better meet the needs of our families. For those who don’t have access to on-line resources we are happy to visit via phone calls and send information to you in the mail.

Please reach out to us at the Cottonwood Extension Offices and let us know “How can we help you?”

Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her by calling either the Great Bend office (620)793-1910 or the Hays office (785)628-9430. Or send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583253738760.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>My head is spinning from all of the information that has come to me in the past week via Zoom meetings, e-mails and webinars. In fact, three days this past week I had the opportunity to join with Extension faculty from across the country for some serious networking. Since I am serving my state professional association as president this year, I was registered to attend the Leadership Conference in Washington DC. With the current shut down of events, the committee worked quickly to take us to Washington DC virtually.&nbsp;The speakers at the conference were great and their message consistently was, “We can come out of this challenging time in our lives, stronger than we were before.”&nbsp; I know for many people, that statement may be a hard sell. A self-employed business owner doesn’t get a pay check when they can’t be open for business. Medical staff and all other essential workers have to be feeling tired and stressed from the long hours and strict protocols that have to be enforced.K-State Research and Extension Administrators made some difficult decisions this week as they pushed the date forward to July 4th for no face to face meetings or events. This is a busy time of year for agents in the Cottonwood District with many youth events, crop tours, and educational meetings that would normally be scheduled. While cancelling these events is disappointing, it is the right thing to do. &nbsp;In a letter from Wade Weber sent to our 4-H families, our State 4-H Leader he states, “We did not take this decision lightly. We are doing this because the health and well-being of our participants, employees and volunteers must be our top priority. In order to ensure quality programs for late spring/early summer, we need to shift from preparation and planning for face-to-face activities to alternative activities.”You can be sure that our Cottonwood Extension District Team is working hard to create those alternative activities; turning these challenging times into opportunities. Our staff meets weekly to discuss ways to utilize technology to better meet the needs of our families. For those who don’t have access to on-line resources we are happy to visit via phone calls and send information to you in the mail.Please reach out to us at the Cottonwood Extension Offices and let us know “How can we help you?”Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her by calling either the Great Bend office (620)793-1910 or the Hays office (785)628-9430. Or send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Turning challenges into opportunities

Three-day weather outlook

By DANIEL CAUDILL <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-college-students-face-uncertainty-world-changed-coronavirus#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

A few weeks ago, University of Kansas senior Fatimah Alsinan was in a
 workshop finishing the last design and construction projects for her 
architecture degree.

Now, she’s meeting with classmates online, 
reviewing premade blueprints and building projects with K’Nex and Legos 
at her apartment.

“We don’t really have a clear idea of what (we are) doing in the future at all,” Alsinan said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

College
 students across Kansas and the rest of the nation are in a similar 
boat, trying to stay on track with classes while the COVID-19 outbreak 
brings everything to a halt.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-governor-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-which-starts-monday#stream/0" target="_blank">Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order at the end of March</a>,
 coordinating social distancing efforts across each of the state’s 105 
counties. She also ordered K-12 schools closed until at least next 
school year.&nbsp;

Kansas’ universities moved classes mostly online for the rest of the 
school year, and pushed graduation ceremonies, a celebratory cap on 
years of hard work, to the Internet or postponed them.&nbsp;

But 
attending a later graduation ceremony is simply not an option for many 
international students like Alsinan, who’s originally from Saudi 
Arabia.&nbsp;

“Maybe it makes sense for so many people because they 
live in the next state, or two states away. But I’m not gonna come from 
the other side of the world with my family to attend graduation for 
three days,” she said. “I’ll need to make a whole new visa to actually 
come.”&nbsp;

Students who’ll be at out-of-state grad schools by then, 
like Fort Hays State senior Kaytee Wisley, likely won’t get to walk 
across the stage for their big moment, either.&nbsp;

“I didn’t realize
 how much that that had meant to me until we got the email that it was 
going to be postponed or canceled,” Wisley said.&nbsp;

Wisley’s 
internship with the League of Women Voters of Kansas was cut short 
because of coronavirus shutdowns. She said the internship was integral 
to her plans after grad school, when she hopes to work for a nonprofit 
to advocate for voting rights.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Many students, 
especially those from another country, are still separated from their 
family. Alsinan, who hasn’t been back to Saudi Arabia in nearly three 
years, has gotten used to not seeing them.&nbsp;

“The one thing that would make me miss my family more is that I can’t even see my friends,” she said.&nbsp;

It’s
 why some university officials are doing their part to make students 
feel supported and connected at a distance. Alicia Sanchez, director of 
Wichita State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said she has always 
aimed to make her office a “home away from home” for students. And even 
if COVID-19 is keeping students locked in their real homes, Sanchez said
 that effort has not stopped — only changed.&nbsp;

The office has 
taken to hosting video “webinars,” including one for Transgender Day of 
Visibility in March. It also plans to set up virtual office hours.&nbsp;

“One
 of the things in our physical space that we pride ourselves on is being
 able to provide connections,” Sanchez said. “We feel like this is 
really important right now, especially for students who might feel 
isolated or need an opportunity to connect and just step away from, ya 
know, their academics for a little bit and be able to engage with their 
peers.”&nbsp;

And business must go on, as Wisley learned. As a member 
of her school’s student government, the group had to have an emergency 
meeting to allocate 2020-21 student fees for campus organizations.&nbsp;

“We absolutely had to get those passed before we left or else — we didn’t know how to do that via Zoom,” she said.&nbsp;

Navigating
 video-conferencing software like Zoom is a major challenge in online 
learning, especially for students who don’t have high-speed internet at 
home. Universities are trying to help bridge that gap by providing them 
mobile hotspots.&nbsp;

Josh Wolf isn’t a professional educator just 
yet. The K-State senior is a student-teacher who’s been helping to 
create online coursework for a seventh grade social studies class at 
Eisenhower Middle School in Manhattan.

Needless to say, he’s had an unusual first teaching experience. But 
he said he thinks it’ll ultimately make him a better teacher.&nbsp;

“I
 don’t know necessarily if I’m ever gonna have to teach an online class 
again,” he said, “but I think the lessons to be learned about overcoming
 adversity in an education setting definitely is something valuable to 
me.”

As someone who’s preparing to enter the workforce, he said 
he has some anxiety. In March alone, nearly 10 million Americans filed 
for unemployment; <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-sees-1000-surge-jobless-claims-covid-19-derails-economy#stream/0" target="_blank">Kansas reported a 1,000% increase in claims just in the third week of March.&nbsp;</a>

But Wolf’s keeping a positive mindset, for himself and for his students.&nbsp;

“You
 know, even if it takes a little bit, even if it is a rough and a little
 bit of a scary period,” he said, “I know and I believe that ultimately 
we will overcome all of this.”

Daniel Caudill is a Statehouse intern for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/bydanielcaudill" target="_blank"> @byDanielCaudill</a>.
 The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public 
Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and 
well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586555483480.jpeg" alt=" The bike racks outside of a building on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence were empty in early April, as everything had been moved online. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The bike racks outside of a building on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence were empty in early April, as everything had been moved online. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DANIEL CAUDILL <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-college-students-face-uncertainty-world-changed-coronavirus#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>A few weeks ago, University of Kansas senior Fatimah Alsinan was in a
 workshop finishing the last design and construction projects for her 
architecture degree.Now, she’s meeting with classmates online, 
reviewing premade blueprints and building projects with K’Nex and Legos 
at her apartment.“We don’t really have a clear idea of what (we are) doing in the future at all,” Alsinan said.&nbsp;&nbsp;College
 students across Kansas and the rest of the nation are in a similar 
boat, trying to stay on track with classes while the COVID-19 outbreak 
brings everything to a halt.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-governor-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-which-starts-monday#stream/0" target="_blank">Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order at the end of March</a>,
 coordinating social distancing efforts across each of the state’s 105 
counties. She also ordered K-12 schools closed until at least next 
school year.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586555526300.jpeg" alt=" Fatimah Alsinan is on a visa to study at the University of Kansas. Credit Courtesy of Fatimah Alsinan" />
 <figcaption> Fatimah Alsinan is on a visa to study at the University of Kansas. Credit Courtesy of Fatimah Alsinan</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas’ universities moved classes mostly online for the rest of the 
school year, and pushed graduation ceremonies, a celebratory cap on 
years of hard work, to the Internet or postponed them.&nbsp;But 
attending a later graduation ceremony is simply not an option for many 
international students like Alsinan, who’s originally from Saudi 
Arabia.&nbsp;“Maybe it makes sense for so many people because they 
live in the next state, or two states away. But I’m not gonna come from 
the other side of the world with my family to attend graduation for 
three days,” she said. “I’ll need to make a whole new visa to actually 
come.”&nbsp;Students who’ll be at out-of-state grad schools by then, 
like Fort Hays State senior Kaytee Wisley, likely won’t get to walk 
across the stage for their big moment, either.&nbsp;“I didn’t realize
 how much that that had meant to me until we got the email that it was 
going to be postponed or canceled,” Wisley said.&nbsp;Wisley’s 
internship with the League of Women Voters of Kansas was cut short 
because of coronavirus shutdowns. She said the internship was integral 
to her plans after grad school, when she hopes to work for a nonprofit 
to advocate for voting rights.&nbsp; &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586555566271.jpeg" alt=" Kaytee Wisley's internship was cut short due to COVID-19 precautions. She'll be part of Fort Hays State's Class of 2020. Credit Courtesy of Kaytee Wisley" />
 <figcaption> Kaytee Wisley's internship was cut short due to COVID-19 precautions. She'll be part of Fort Hays State's Class of 2020. Credit Courtesy of Kaytee Wisley</figcaption>
 </figure>Keeping the communityMany students, 
especially those from another country, are still separated from their 
family. Alsinan, who hasn’t been back to Saudi Arabia in nearly three 
years, has gotten used to not seeing them.&nbsp;“The one thing that would make me miss my family more is that I can’t even see my friends,” she said.&nbsp;It’s
 why some university officials are doing their part to make students 
feel supported and connected at a distance. Alicia Sanchez, director of 
Wichita State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said she has always 
aimed to make her office a “home away from home” for students. And even 
if COVID-19 is keeping students locked in their real homes, Sanchez said
 that effort has not stopped — only changed.&nbsp;The office has 
taken to hosting video “webinars,” including one for Transgender Day of 
Visibility in March. It also plans to set up virtual office hours.&nbsp;“One
 of the things in our physical space that we pride ourselves on is being
 able to provide connections,” Sanchez said. “We feel like this is 
really important right now, especially for students who might feel 
isolated or need an opportunity to connect and just step away from, ya 
know, their academics for a little bit and be able to engage with their 
peers.”&nbsp;And business must go on, as Wisley learned. As a member 
of her school’s student government, the group had to have an emergency 
meeting to allocate 2020-21 student fees for campus organizations.&nbsp;“We absolutely had to get those passed before we left or else — we didn’t know how to do that via Zoom,” she said.&nbsp;<h2>‘Overcoming adversity’</h2>Navigating
 video-conferencing software like Zoom is a major challenge in online 
learning, especially for students who don’t have high-speed internet at 
home. Universities are trying to help bridge that gap by providing them 
mobile hotspots.&nbsp;Josh Wolf isn’t a professional educator just 
yet. The K-State senior is a student-teacher who’s been helping to 
create online coursework for a seventh grade social studies class at 
Eisenhower Middle School in Manhattan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586555607570.jpeg" alt=" Josh Wolf, who played trombone in K-State's marching band, will be trying to find a teaching job at the end of the semester. Credit Courtesy of Josh Wolf" />
 <figcaption> Josh Wolf, who played trombone in K-State's marching band, will be trying to find a teaching job at the end of the semester. Credit Courtesy of Josh Wolf</figcaption>
 </figure>Needless to say, he’s had an unusual first teaching experience. But 
he said he thinks it’ll ultimately make him a better teacher.&nbsp;“I
 don’t know necessarily if I’m ever gonna have to teach an online class 
again,” he said, “but I think the lessons to be learned about overcoming
 adversity in an education setting definitely is something valuable to 
me.”As someone who’s preparing to enter the workforce, he said 
he has some anxiety. In March alone, nearly 10 million Americans filed 
for unemployment; <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-sees-1000-surge-jobless-claims-covid-19-derails-economy#stream/0" target="_blank">Kansas reported a 1,000% increase in claims just in the third week of March.&nbsp;</a>But Wolf’s keeping a positive mindset, for himself and for his students.&nbsp;“You
 know, even if it takes a little bit, even if it is a rough and a little
 bit of a scary period,” he said, “I know and I believe that ultimately 
we will overcome all of this.”Daniel Caudill is a Statehouse intern for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/bydanielcaudill" target="_blank"> @byDanielCaudill</a>.
 The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public 
Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and 
well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.&nbsp;

Kan. college students face uncertainty in changed world 

K-State food safety specialist outlines steps to protect food, customers

OLATHE – Kansas State University food safety specialist Londa Nwadike says that, right now, science is on the side of produce growers.

“There is currently no evidence that the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, can be transmitted through food or food packaging,” said Nwadike, who has dual extension appointments with K-State and the University of Missouri.

That’s good news, she notes, for those hoping to sell their goods at local farmers’ markets, many of which are just days away from opening for the season. “And,” Nwadike said, “it’s good news for people who eat.”

In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay home order on March 28, limiting residents to those activities that are essential. Farmers’ markets supply food and services that are considered essential functions and, thus, are exempt from the order.

Even so, growers will be taxed to find new ways to sell foods at farmers’ markets while maintaining social distancing and other safety measures.

“A lot of what we’re talking about at farmers’ markets is what we do anyway, but there are additional things we are suggesting when we are talking about preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Nwadike, who recently hosted three online sessions to provide safety tips and answer questions from growers in Kansas and Missouri.

The safety steps Nwadike is suggesting for farmers’ markets and produce growers selling food include:

As an example, the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market announced that it is moving ahead with plans to open on April 11. Organizers of that market say they will provide four hand washing stations and are encouraging vendors to set up an empty table between the customer and produce.

Nwadike said many of the same recommendations hold for so-called U-Pick operations in which customers are allowed to enter a grower’s farm and pick their own produce.

However for U-Pick operations, she adds, farmers are advised to limit the number of people on the property at one time.

“Communicate with your customers,” Nwadike said. “Ask them if they have symptoms or if they have been exposed to someone with a known COVID-19 case to please stay home.”

Roadside farm stands should follow similar safety measures. Farm stand operators should avoid taking back non-cleanable cartons or containers from customers (such as egg containers, and pre-portion packages before selling to reduce customer contact with produce.

Nwadike also said consumers should always wash produce when they get home. That includes washing the whole produce, even if you don’t eat the peel, and wash such items as cantaloupe and potatoes with a produce brush.

“All the research shows that clean, running water is the best way for consumers to wash produce,” Nwadike said. “Produce washes have not been shown to be more effective than clean, running water.”

Safety recommendations change regularly. For the most current information on the spread of COVID-19 and the government’s response, consumers should contact their local or state health department; or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</a>

Nwadike and food safety colleague Karen Blakeslee are maintaining a web page to communicate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety/topics/covid19.html">food safety issues related to COVID-19</a>. K-State Research and Extension also provides&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety/produce">information that produce growers should always have in place</a>.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture also has published&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fromthelandofkansas.com/page/farmers-market-resources">guidance for farmers’ markets regarding COVID-19</a>.

<h2>K-State food safety specialist outlines steps to protect food, customers</h2>OLATHE – Kansas State University food safety specialist Londa Nwadike says that, right now, science is on the side of produce growers.“There is currently no evidence that the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, can be transmitted through food or food packaging,” said Nwadike, who has dual extension appointments with K-State and the University of Missouri.That’s good news, she notes, for those hoping to sell their goods at local farmers’ markets, many of which are just days away from opening for the season. “And,” Nwadike said, “it’s good news for people who eat.”In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay home order on March 28, limiting residents to those activities that are essential. Farmers’ markets supply food and services that are considered essential functions and, thus, are exempt from the order.Even so, growers will be taxed to find new ways to sell foods at farmers’ markets while maintaining social distancing and other safety measures.“A lot of what we’re talking about at farmers’ markets is what we do anyway, but there are additional things we are suggesting when we are talking about preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Nwadike, who recently hosted three online sessions to provide safety tips and answer questions from growers in Kansas and Missouri.The safety steps Nwadike is suggesting for farmers’ markets and produce growers selling food include:<ol>
 <li>Place vendor tables further apart to allow more space for social distancing.</li><li>Do not serve unpackaged food as samples or for purchase. “What we recommend is that you either package your produce in a bag on a table in front of the vendor or the vendor keeps their produce behind them and bags it for the customer,” Nwadike said. Some markets or local health departments may not allow product samples at all.</li><li>Do not allow customers to touch produce before buying.</li><li>Provide hand washing and hand sanitizing stations.</li><li>Frequently clean and disinfect high touch surfaces.</li>
 </ol>As an example, the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market announced that it is moving ahead with plans to open on April 11. Organizers of that market say they will provide four hand washing stations and are encouraging vendors to set up an empty table between the customer and produce.Nwadike said many of the same recommendations hold for so-called U-Pick operations in which customers are allowed to enter a grower’s farm and pick their own produce.However for U-Pick operations, she adds, farmers are advised to limit the number of people on the property at one time.“Communicate with your customers,” Nwadike said. “Ask them if they have symptoms or if they have been exposed to someone with a known COVID-19 case to please stay home.”Roadside farm stands should follow similar safety measures. Farm stand operators should avoid taking back non-cleanable cartons or containers from customers (such as egg containers, and pre-portion packages before selling to reduce customer contact with produce.Nwadike also said consumers should always wash produce when they get home. That includes washing the whole produce, even if you don’t eat the peel, and wash such items as cantaloupe and potatoes with a produce brush.“All the research shows that clean, running water is the best way for consumers to wash produce,” Nwadike said. “Produce washes have not been shown to be more effective than clean, running water.”Safety recommendations change regularly. For the most current information on the spread of COVID-19 and the government’s response, consumers should contact their local or state health department; or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</a>Nwadike and food safety colleague Karen Blakeslee are maintaining a web page to communicate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety/topics/covid19.html">food safety issues related to COVID-19</a>. K-State Research and Extension also provides&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety/produce">information that produce growers should always have in place</a>.The Kansas Department of Agriculture also has published&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fromthelandofkansas.com/page/farmers-market-resources">guidance for farmers’ markets regarding COVID-19</a>.

Farmers’ market vendors prep for season amid COVID-19 concerns

By STEPHEN KORANDA, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-elections-move-ahead-scheduled-while-coronavirus-changes-game-candidates#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>'

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Tobias Wood is thinking twice 
about working at a polling place in Shawnee County this year. He’s done 
it since 2018, but now he’s practicing social distancing to help slow 
the spread of COVID-19.

He knows that might be difficult during elections, when he needs to handle people’s IDs and have voters sign in on a tablet.

“We don’t have control over what people come in with,” he said. “That’s something that really scares me.”

Kansas’ late primary — Aug. 3 — puts it in a less urgent position to either postpone it as <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/local-elections-delayed-covid-19-missouri-schools-plans-upgrade-buildings-put-hold#stream/0" target="_blank">Missouri</a> and other states did, or go forward with fewer polling places <a href="https://www.wpr.org/local-clerks-use-masks-gowns-gloves-protect-poll-workers-voters-covid-19" target="_blank">like Wisconsin</a>. It’s why Secretary of State Scott Schwab is avoiding major changes like rescheduling election dates.

“You’ve
 got to be really careful because you’re going to create voter confusion
 if you move the day,” said Schwab, who hopes the virus will have 
largely run its course by August. “That’s the biggest thing we’re trying
 to avoid is voter confusion.”

But there’s more to it: The new coronavirus is striking at a time 
when political candidates would normally be knocking on doors, shaking 
hands and speaking at public events. Kansas’ political parties are 
trying to fundraise and prepare for national conventions, one of which 
has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/825953889/democratic-national-convention-pushed-back-a-month-and-the-format-may-change" target="_blank">already been moved back.</a>

Kansas Democrats already changed their May 2 presidential primary to mail-in only. Schwab is urging people to <a href="https://sos.kansas.gov/elections/registration-voting/" target="_blank">request mail-in ballots</a> if they have concerns about going to the polls.

But
 there also are ways, he said, to space out voting machines and take 
other steps to comply with social distancing if it’s still needed.

“The biggest way to get more social distancing is for counties to offer more polling places,” he said.

Plus, Schwab is concerned that poll workers like Wood will sit out 
the August primary and November general election, which is why Kansas is
 looking to ramp up recruitment of poll workers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715254925.jpeg" alt=" Voters at a Topeka polling place in 2019. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Voters at a Topeka polling place in 2019. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-elections-move-ahead-scheduled-while-coronavirus-changes-game-candidates#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>'LAWRENCE, Kansas — Tobias Wood is thinking twice 
about working at a polling place in Shawnee County this year. He’s done 
it since 2018, but now he’s practicing social distancing to help slow 
the spread of COVID-19.He knows that might be difficult during elections, when he needs to handle people’s IDs and have voters sign in on a tablet.“We don’t have control over what people come in with,” he said. “That’s something that really scares me.”Kansas’ late primary — Aug. 3 — puts it in a less urgent position to either postpone it as <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/local-elections-delayed-covid-19-missouri-schools-plans-upgrade-buildings-put-hold#stream/0" target="_blank">Missouri</a> and other states did, or go forward with fewer polling places <a href="https://www.wpr.org/local-clerks-use-masks-gowns-gloves-protect-poll-workers-voters-covid-19" target="_blank">like Wisconsin</a>. It’s why Secretary of State Scott Schwab is avoiding major changes like rescheduling election dates.“You’ve
 got to be really careful because you’re going to create voter confusion
 if you move the day,” said Schwab, who hopes the virus will have 
largely run its course by August. “That’s the biggest thing we’re trying
 to avoid is voter confusion.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715324051.jpeg" alt=" Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab says he's considering more polling places to make sure social distancing can happen during elections. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab says he's considering more polling places to make sure social distancing can happen during elections. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>But there’s more to it: The new coronavirus is striking at a time 
when political candidates would normally be knocking on doors, shaking 
hands and speaking at public events. Kansas’ political parties are 
trying to fundraise and prepare for national conventions, one of which 
has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/825953889/democratic-national-convention-pushed-back-a-month-and-the-format-may-change" target="_blank">already been moved back.</a>Kansas Democrats already changed their May 2 presidential primary to mail-in only. Schwab is urging people to <a href="https://sos.kansas.gov/elections/registration-voting/" target="_blank">request mail-in ballots</a> if they have concerns about going to the polls.But
 there also are ways, he said, to space out voting machines and take 
other steps to comply with social distancing if it’s still needed.“The biggest way to get more social distancing is for counties to offer more polling places,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715358264.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Plus, Schwab is concerned that poll workers like Wood will sit out 
the August primary and November general election, which is why Kansas is
 looking to ramp up recruitment of poll workers.More polling places and more workers comes with a cost. States have access to $400 million through<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/25/821521543/senate-coronavirus-bill-includes-400-million-to-protect-elections" target="_blank"> the coronavirus response bill</a>.
 But Venita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on 
Civil and Human Rights, thinks it’s not enough “for states to prepare 
for November and provide voters with a range of options for casting 
ballots.”Her group is a coalition pushing for civil and human 
rights in the U.S., and it has joined others like the Brennan Center for
 Justice in asking Congress to approve another $1.6 billion to help 
states <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/estimated-costs-covid-19-election-resiliency-measures" target="_blank">make changes</a>
 in advance of the election. They’re asking Congress to include that in 
any additional coronavirus legislation, and the issue has come up in <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/05/vote-by-mail-election-coronavirus-164574" target="_blank">talks about future legislation</a>.The Brennan Center is also <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/preparing-election-under-pandemic-conditions" target="_blank">urging new policies</a>
 to make voting more accessible during a pandemic. Some of the 
suggestions are already in place here, like online voter registration, 
early voting and mail-in ballots. But Kansas does not have online 
requests for absentee ballots or same-day voter registration.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715392128.jpeg" alt=" Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell tests a voting machine in 2019. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service photo" />
 <figcaption> Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell tests a voting machine in 2019. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile, Kansas political parties are not waiting to make some crucial changes.Kansas
 Democrats were gearing up for their first presidential primary, 
transitioning from a caucus system to a statewide ranked-choice ballot. 
But the coronavirus upended the party’s plans to accept mail-in ballots 
and open 50 in-person voting locations.Instead, about 400,000 registered Democrats will receive <a href="https://apnews.com/457a93d4792a8d61420564ca4f496348" target="_blank">a ballot in the mail</a>.“It’s
 certainly a difficult decision,” Kansas Democratic Party Executive 
Director Ben Meers said. “We were in a great place. Where other states 
had to postpone their elections, we were able to pivot to a vote by mail
 election.”And Kansas Republicans had a deadline to elect their 
delegates for the national convention, so with short notice, they moved 
the process online to a Zoom meeting.Leaders from both major 
political parties in Kansas say campaigns are replacing in-person town 
hall meetings with online or telephone gatherings. Similarly, 
fundraising has shifted more online and volunteers are working from 
their home rather than from a campaign office.Campaigns also are shifting to advertising more online instead of TV.“We’re
 all in the same boat right now, just doing what you can digitally,” 
Kansas Republican Party Executive Director Shannon Golden said. “Whether
 that’s digital advertisement, phone banking from home.”Kansas 
Republicans had to quickly move the selection of delegates for the 
national convention online by Zoom meeting instead of in-person 
gatherings.But there’s still some optimism that in-person and retail politics will resume as the August primary approaches.“Hopefully,
 we’re back out there able to go with normal business, come June and 
July,” Golden said. “Obviously, we’ll have to see what happens.”Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.