Rally for Reagan and Pearce - Next Monday!!

Rally for Reagan and Pearce this Monday at the State Capitol. Gather at 12:45 pm on the south steps of the Capitol.

Dear friends,

I want you to try to imagine the community in St. John without a high school. Reagan is closed. Kids are having to catch long rides to another high school. This is the situation one Houston community found itself in last year as their high school of 2,400 kids was closed. Though they were one of the best schools in the state for low-income kids, they missed one of 39 academic measures on the TAKS test. This is the situation two communities in Dallas will find themselves in if their schools are closed, and perhaps three more communities in Dallas next year. And our neighbors across 290 face the loss of Pearce Middle School THIS YEAR!

St. John and these communities have a lot in common. They are all low-income and diverse.

Call me crazy, but I thought our goal was to provide the best education we can for all kids. But for some reason, some kids are thought not good enough to have a school in their community.
Two years ago, when the state was talking about closing down Webb, they said that kids could easily go to Pearce and Dobie middle schools. They're not very far. So we timed how long it would take for a St. John kid to get to Pearce, which is only a few miles away by car. It took 90 minutes by bus. 90 minutes! On top of this, both Dobie and Pearce were also having difficulties at the time. Somehow, it didn't seem to be about the kids.

It's time for this to stop. Stop telling kids and parents that they're not good enough to have a school. And it's time to start . . . start giving kids the best school possible.

A group of us have been working since October on getting the law that says low-performing schools must close overturned. Working together, we have seen House Bill 1238 filed by Rep. Dawnna Dukes. This bill would say no to closure and yes to the kind of school improvement that 48 other states practice (only Colorado also closes schools).

On Monday, we will rally at the State Capitol with the Texas State Teachers Association and other groups. We want legislators know that we say NO to closure and YES to quality schools for ALL KIDS.

Join us at 12:45 on the south Capitol steps for the 1 pm rally. We'll speak out, hear speeches, and then spread through the Capitol to visit with legislators. The next day, they will be holding a hearing on this and other education issues, so our timing is important.

Bring your friends, tell your neighbors, give Reagan and Pearce kids a ride! This is our time to Stand Up!

Blessings!
Allen Weeks
653-4935

(P.S.: If you have time, we will also be visiting legislators from 9 am to noon. Meet at First United Methodist Church-Family Life Center at 12th and LaVaca for orientation, just west of the Capitol)