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FFA OF THE DAY Cumulative final exams are like fights in relationships. Why must we continue to bring up the past? What's done is done.
Was anyone else wondering what was up with those tornado sirens yesterday?
GivingMeAHeartAttack
Who the heck is Missy??
The croissants from the Union are probably the most delicious croissants I've ever had.
release excuse me while I stumble around campus. I am not drunk, just extremely sleep deprived.
I can't concentrate when my sock is sliding off in my shoe.
Only in School Hall land does one think of free food when FFA is labeled on the said free food.
Game of Thrones is hands down the greatest show on television!
We are One! Pray for Kenya -
147NotJustaNumber
Re-watching Gossip Girl reminds me of how much I miss this show. <3 <3
Currently crying because I missed out on Lilly at Target
Bittersweet when you have to complete all these final papers and projects but great at the same time because that means summer is close!
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015
On a scale of 1 to Nature Valley Granola Bar, how much is your life falling apart?
Why do bikes have to be so expensive???
I wish emojis were able to show up in the FFAs :('
Big Sean and Ariana Grande
break up? Don't worry Sean, I'm
here for you. #wishfultinking
butseriously #iloveyou
All I want to do is set up a hammock and drink some brews instead of going to class... Is that too much to ask?
Finished my last reading assignment of the semester!
Feeling too good!!!
Yeah, It's completely normal to have the meow mix theme song stuck in your head during an exam
Once I got free t-shirts at a liquor store because I'm an alcoholic.
Blessed
Students should utilize farmers markets
It's 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday. If you're a college student,you're almost certainly sound asleep, exhausted from celebrating the end of the school week. But in downtown Lawrence, local vendors are setting up stands to sell their goods, and community members are beginning to congregate.The farmers market season is just starting in many communities,and students are missing out on this unique opportunity.
Since many college students are busy and on a budget, they opt to do their shopping at grocery stores such as Walmart or Dillons. While these businesses offer convenience and low prices, they fall short in one major category: local sustainability. Students need to understand the benefits of supporting local businesses, including those at the farmers market.
and groups than corporate businesses.
According to a research reported in USA Today, supporting local businesses also keeps money in the consumer's area. On average for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in the community. This is more than the $43 that remains when the money is spent at local branches of chain stores. The long-term benefits of strengthening the community far outweigh the costs of spending a little bit more at the farmers market.
More than anything, shopping locally strengthens the community both personally and financially. Buying from those in your city creates an interpersonal bond, especially if the visits are repeated and personal relationships can be established. Local business owners also tend to donate more to local programs
Farmers markets also offer goods unique to their specific shopping experience. Produce, meats and other food items aren't the only things being sold. For example, the Lawrence Farmers Market has vendors that sell handmade wool hats, handcrafted soaps and pottery. The Kansas City's Historic City Market has more than 140 vendors and offers fresh-cut flowers and various craft items from local artisans. No two markets have the same experience, and each market can say something different about its city's unique culture.
The Lawrence Farmers Market opened for the 2015 season on April 11. The market
PHOTO COURTESY OF LWRENCE FARMERS MARKET
7. The market is open Saturdays from 7-11 a.m.
The food available at farmers markets is also more likely to be grown organically, meaning there are no pesticides or other harmful, contaminated products being used. This is clearly a health benefit, although the organic movement is also becoming a social phenomenon. As people realize the importance of eating healthier and going green, farmers markets have been rising in popularity.
In the past five years,the number of U.S. farmers
markets has nearly doubled. In 2013, there were 8,144 farmers markets listed in the national directory and 4,685 were listed in 2008. Buying locally is turning into a new American tradition, for both health and community reasons.
Students should try shopping locally, especially at establishments such as the
Lawrence Farmers Market. It's true that products may be slightly more expensive than at a chain grocery store, but for those who already buy organic items, prices are comparable. Even so, the long-term benefits to a community of shopping locally and building a culture should be preserved and continued in the years to come.
The Lawrence Farmers Market is located at 824 New Hampshire St. Parking information and operation hours can be found at lawrencefarmersmarket.com.
Matthew Clough is a sophomore from Wichita studying journalism and English
Removing teaching qualifications hurts schools
Before we moved on to pursuing higher education, we had to work through 12-13 years of schooling (if you're counting kindergarten). We encountered several different teachers who challenged and inspired us, and probably a few that drove us crazy. But what is one thing all of our past teachers have in common? They were licensed in the courses they taught and were properly equipped to take on those classrooms.
In 2013, Bill 2319 proposed the establishment of innovative districts in Kansas; meaning 29 school districts in the state of Kansas could be excused from hiring teachers that meet "certain state laws in pursuit of innovation," the Lawrence Journal-World
reports. For example, teachers with a journalism degree can teach different sections such as drama or speech classes. This year, the Kansas State Board of Education will finally decide whether or not to approve Bill 2319.
Currently there are six districts seeking to create a "Specialized Training Certificate" for those who wish to teach but have not obtained the proper licensing to do so in a particular subject. In order to receive the STC, one must pass a background check and "approval from the local and state school boards." The districts, called the Coalition of Innovative Districts, are Kansas City, Marysville, Hugoton, Blue Valley, Concordia and McPherson. The reason behind dismissing the requirement of having a license in teaching is so "rural western districts" such as Hugoton can overcome "the challenge of recruiting teachers," according to the Lawrence Journal-World. In addition, some believe that having "more flexible regulations" will proliferate the quality of education students receive. For urban districts, such as
Blue Valley, proponents argue that "more flexibility would increase innovation and education quality."
This is a complete disservice to current educators in our state, as well as students in these districts who will potentially have to deal with these "innovations." Propo-
ers in certain districts is problematic, but if this were an issue of dwindling physicians, dentists or lawyers, would we be proposing the same structure? Would you feel comfortable having a general physician perform surgery on you? Would you allow your orthodontist to give you a root
"WE MUST BE CAREFUL IN THE DECISIONS WE MAKE REGARDING OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS' EDUCATION."
nents of Bill 2319 are basically saying that people can teach whichever subject they desire, as long as they have a clean record. Using the earlier example, having a background in journalism, which may tie in with speech and some drama, is not the same as being able to teach a whole course on speech or drama. All three subjects can borrow ideas from one another, but they are not substantive enough to properly teach students at the full capacity that they deserve to learn.
Having a shortage of teach-
It doesn't make sense to strive for an increase in student's education by decreasing the qualifications a teacher must have. I know proponents
canal? Would you go to a lawyer specializing in elderly care if you were seeking a lawsuit for environmental reasons? No. All of these jobs have loose knowledge of different disciplines in their respective fields, but we have specialized positions for a reason. Similarly, students should not be forced to settle for their education just because Kansas needs to fill up job space.
are not wishing to hinder student's academics intentionally, but if this bill passes, this may happen as an unintentional result. Teachers who are not specialized in certain courses may veer from less creative and effective methods of teaching, and instead may use more generic, straight out-of-the-book teaching styles due to their unfamiliarity in the subject. Think back on your K-12 experience: who are the teachers you most remember? Were they the ones who taught everything by the book? Or were they the ones who went above and beyond in the classroom because they were teaching a subject they were truly passionate and knowledgeable about?
We must be careful in the decisions we make regarding our future generations' education. Proponents must not be hasty to make such a detrimental decision and they need to see all of the potential issues that may arise, instead of aiming to solve just one problem.
Cecilia Cho is a senior from Overland Park studying American Studies
Brian Hillix, editor-in-chief bhillix@kansan.com
Paige lytte, managing editor
plyt1@kansan.com
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CONTACT US
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Cecilia Cho, opinion editor ccho@kansan.com
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CARTOON BY JACOB HOOD
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THE KANSAN EDITORIAL BOARD
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Members of the Kansan
Editorial Board are Brian
Hillix, Paige Lytte, Cecilia
Cha, Stephanie Nickel and
Sharlane Xu.
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