The breakfasts are open and free of charge with registration required.

The public is encouraged to choose and attend one of the half-hour events to be held at Peabody Junior-Senior High School on Jan. 19, Marion Elementary School on Jan. 20, Hillsboro Elementary School on Jan. 21, or Goessel Elementary School on Jan. 21.

All sessions begin at 7:30 a.m.

The release of the 2004 Marion County Report Card follows that of the Kansas Report Card in mid-December when the state received an overall grade of B.

In response, Gary Brunk, executive director of Kansas Action for Children, said Kansas is capable of earning A's, and that its citizens should not be satisfied with under achievement.

As with the state report card, Marion County has received an overall grade, as well as grades in five areas: safety and security, health, education, teen years and child care.

The grades are based on data characterized into 17 benchmarks that widely regarded as sound indicators of child health and well-being.

Data sources include the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Department of Education, Social and Rehabilitation Services, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush.

All community members are encouraged to attend one or more of the release events. A free breakfast, the report cards, as well as Kansas Action for Children 2005 calendars and CIS Resource Directories will be available.

To register, contact Linda Ogden at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 947-3184. You may also contact your local school to register directly.