District issues reminder about busing deadline

The deadline for early enrollment for the Lawrence public schools’ “Pay To Ride” bus program is quickly approaching.

District officials require that every student who plans on riding a bus to school must complete an enrollment form and receive a bus pass.

Early enrollment fees for the program are $120 a semester or $240 a year if the payment is received by Tuesday. After that, enrollment fees go up $10 per student.

Fees should be paid at Laidlaw Educational Services, 1548 E. 23rd St., Suite C.

Under Kansas law, students living 2.5 miles or more from their school are provided free transportation and are not required to pay the fees but are expected to complete an enrollment form.

KU Camps

Special Olympians saddle up for day

Dozens of Special Olympians in Lawrence for an annual sports camp at Kansas University took a field trip Saturday to the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, where they learned to ride horses.

Special Olympian Jennifer Bish, Wichita, sits on her mount at the fairgrounds.

“They are riding for fun and recreation, and we do some therapeutic exercises,” said Steve McKenzie, a certified trainer at Parsons State Hospital, where he operates a horse-riding program.

“Once they get used to the horse, the mental benefits are tremendous,” McKenzie said. “It really relaxes them and calms them down.”

At KU, the athletes are training in sports such as softball, bowling, soccer and golf. About 120 athletes are at KU for the sports clinics.

Special Olympics is a year-round sports and education program for children with mental retardation.

Community

Overbrook Medical Clinic strives for survival

The drive to save Overbrook Medical Clinic continues with residents having raised $30,325 to try to keep the struggling facility operational another six months.

A goal of $50,000 raised by week’s end has been set. The money would keep the clinic open another six months and allow residents more time to find a permanent solution to the clinic’s money troubles.

According to community fund raisers, so far, there have been more than 113 donors, including individuals, civic organizations, businesses and the city government. The city of Overbrook has abated charges for water, sewer and trash services.

For more information about how to help, contact Beth Pankratz at (785) 665-7050.