🚨 Should police go back into schools?

🚨 School Board Doesn’t Want Police Officers Back in School

• In the wake of the Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, the Madison School Board said that it does not support bringing police officers, known as “school resource officers,” back into Madison schools.
• The school board voted in June 2020 to remove officers stationed at each of Madison’s four high schools. While supporters say SROs enhance safety and build positive relationships between officers and students, critics say there were racial disparities in who officers targeted. [ 🔒 WSJ]

🍺 The Herbiery Hopless Taproom To Close

• The Herbiery, a Madison taproom that specialized in beers made with herbs and spices rather than hops, will close Feb. 1.
• Owner Nia Ryan, who created the recipes for the herbal beers and produced them under contract with Karben4 Brewing, said there wasn’t enough business at the Winnebago St. taproom to justify staying open.
• The Herbiery will stop making canned beers, although remaining stock might be available on store shelves for the next couple of months. [Isthmus]

🏫 Madison East Principal To Retire

• Mikki Smith will retire at the end of the school year as principal at Madison East High School. Smith has spent more than 30 years in education and 14 at East.
• Superintendent Joe Gothard said the search process for a new principal at East will begin immediately, and students and parents will get a survey to communicate what qualities they want to see in the school’s next leader. [ 🔒 WSJ]

Meet Peppa! Peppa is a 4-month-old guinea pig who loves munching on food and treats. He is shy but curious, and enjoys scurrying around his cage. Give him a little time to get comfortable and he will allow pets.

Do you want to build a snowman? Me too, but it’s not really in the cards for this low-snow winter we’ve been having in so far Madison. That’s a bummer for kids especially, but there’s still plenty of things families can do together in the winter even if there’s no snow on the ground.

Listen to the City Cast Madison podcast today as Bianca Martin talks to ice fishing ambassador Pat Hasburgh about what life is like out on the ice, and the upcoming Kids Ice Fishing Day this weekend at Brittingham Park.

Kids Ice Fishing Day

The Yahara Fishing Club’s annual event takes place Jan. 25, from 9 p.m. to noon, at Brittingham Park, and is a great way to introduce kids to this fun sport. It’s free and includes complimentary ice fishing rods, reels, and hot dogs for lunch.

Overture Center’s Kids in the Rotunda

When my daughters were little, we would head down to Overture’s Rotunda Stage on Saturday mornings for this free entertainment series aimed at kids nine and younger. From music to magic to dance and puppetry, it’s a ton of fun.

Ice Skating

There might not be much snow, but it’s definitely been cold enough for ice skating! Skating on lagoons at Vilas and Tenney Park is so magical that even “Daily Show” host Michael Kosta raved about it, and Madison rinks also offer skate rentals and hot chocolate in the warming hut. Another great choice is the Ice House rink at the Edgewater Hotel, where you can skate on the shore of Lake Mendota, and pop in to warm up with a slice of pizza at the Slice House.

Madison Children’s Museum

The museum is another must-stop for parents, with several floors of fun for kids and a full lineup of events. Explore the Wonderground, sing and dance along with live music, or work on art and science projects.