Kids need meat. Thanks, Kansas, for not feeding our kids vegetarian school lunches

Nutritional value

When students in many of our country’s largest school districts returned to class this month, a major food group was absent from their cafeteria meals one or two days a week: meat.

As a mom to four kids who attend Kansas public schools, I’m grateful our state recognizes the nutritional value animal protein provides growing children by keeping meat on school menus.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, teens fall short on key nutrients such as iron, B6 and B12 that are found in animal protein. These nutrient deficiencies are particularly concerning given the significant development that happens during this life stage.

A peer-reviewed study by a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says iron deficiency is the world’s most common nutritional deficiency and is on the rise. Iron deficiency can affect cognition, memory and motor development — potentially inhibiting students’ ability to learn and perform well.

Beef is critical to reversing iron deficiency and provides essential nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12.

Thank you to Kansas public schools for putting the health and development of our kids first by keeping meat on school lunch menus so students are well fueled to develop strong minds and bodies.

- Marya Haverkamp, Nemaha Valley Cattle Company, Bern, Kansas

Not the norm

To the Sen. Josh Hawleys and all the other election deniers: Riots cannot be the norm to cling to power. Our children must not accept party over country, civics class be damned.

Some day, Senator, you will have to explain to your own children and grandchildren who you are and why you initiated this disruption to a peaceful transfer of power.

God help us all. Silence in the GOP caused this festering stink across our beautiful America.

- Constance Kemmerer, Parkville

Stop gun violence

Back to school should be a time for fresh pencils and excitement. As a pediatric resident, however, I see it as a time to dread the next massacre of children by gun violence.

Although we shudder at the thought of another school shooting, gun violence victimizing children is not isolated to the school year, with suicides, homicides and accidental shootings occurring year-round.

Missourians should be even more alert, as our state has the fifth-highest rate of gun deaths of in the nation. Legislators could reduce the daily intentional and unintentional gun-related deaths of our children by enacting laws requiring background checks on all gun sales, preventing domestic violence perpetrators from having gun access and requiring training before individuals can carry loaded, hidden handguns in public.

We can also call upon ourselves and our neighbors to store guns safely. A quick online search can show where free gun locks are available locally. This simple measure can decrease unintentional and intentional gun deaths in our community.

By working together, we can protect our children and make the start of the school year one of happiness and excitement, rather than fear.

- Rachel Granberg, Kansas City

It’s a gift

Democrats should see the political stunts of Republican governors shipping human beings as pawns as the gift that they really are. Everyday I see help-wanted signs all over our metropolitan area. Locally owned restaurants, as well as chains, have closed locations or trimmed operating hours because of worker shortages. Based on articles I’ve seen in the national media, this is not unusual in other cities around the United States.

Democratic states and cities should welcome this influx of workers, many of whom have skills that are in demand, and work toward increasing the pool of needed employees. Once employed, these new Americans can contribute to the local and national economy and start the naturalization process to fully integrate into our society. Corporations, businesses, churches and nonprofits should commit to helping the government with relocation and supportive systems. Why? Because it benefits all of us and is simply the right thing to do.

So come on, Democrats. Though they deserve it, don’t just castigate those governors. Show them what can be accomplished with an open heart and can-do spirit.

- Mary Kay O’Malley, Kansas City