Save our Schools

Remember, this is about all of the kids and teens, our teachers, and our staff who support them in our school district. This is about our vibrant neighborhoods, businesses, and community. This is not about one school vs. another, and it is not about saving schools at the sacrifice of teachers. We are working to break down as much of the “us vs. them” and the “win-lose” divisiveness to show how we can all work together to create something bigger than our individual schools and neighborhoods.
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usd 497 - lawrence, kansas

#SaveOurSchools497

official Statement from Save Our Schools 497
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Read our Official Statement

Honor Roll Fest
6 p.m. sunday, July 31, Replay Lounge

The spark for Honor Roll 2022 started as a show for educators who play in bands to have a last hurrah before
they report back for duty in August.

While this is still the case, we have added a sponsorship from Save Our Schools, which highlights the need for Lawrence Public Schools USD#497 to keep their neighborhood elementary and middle schools intact rather than close them because of looming budget cuts.
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While schools are not being closed for the coming school
year, this is still an option for the future. Neighborhood schools are preferable because they help to create a community culture that embraces all students attending them, since not all neighborhoods have the same needs or face the same challenges. Neighborhood schools
create a sense of belonging for teachers, parents, and students that helps foster academic growth.

Feel free to contact these bands directly to get their take on what it’s like to be both a teacher and musician. The last two bands do not have teachers in them, but support the cause. The Sounds of Many are finishing a Midwest tour, and Sirens in the Suburbs is supporting the show.
This year’s line up is a stellar show featuring an eclectic group of genre-spanning bands. This event will begin at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31 at the Replay Lounge and run until the end of the night. This is not a fundraiser, and there is a reason for that: Teachers spend enough time outside of their duty days making sure they are meeting their teaching expectations; their bands don’t need to do the same. However, Save Our Schools will be onsite to promote their cause and speak with attendees.

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We walked In Their Shoes!

Special thank you to Carole Cadue-Blackwood, GR Gordon-Ross, and all the students, parents, teachers, and community members for walking with us!
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See the documentation from the walks

WE NOW HAVE (A LITTLE) MORE TIME

Contact the board so our energies can work together to find a solution. schoolboard@usd497.org
Tell your friends and neighbors why this matters and why they should join us. Join our email list for more steps you can do to take action.
Read the tips for public commentary.
Pick up your t-shirt and/or yard sign at RiverRat, 608 N. 2nd Street in North Lawrence.
‍more info below
Students, draw or write why you love your school & submit! Download the printable

An Apology to the Kennedy Community

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Recent Press

Sign the Petition

Help save Broken Arrow, Hillcrest, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, New York, Pinckney, and Woodlawn Elementary that are on the proposed school closing scenarios list.