Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association

Hi Everyone

I wanted to alert you all to the possibility that the beloved little school in the neighborhood is at risk of being closed.

There have been discussions by TUSD without parent and neighborhood input on this, and it is just coming to light. The school is a "performing" school, but is under-enrolled. I am a parent of a kindergartener at JP and am on the Site Council. The Site Council is supposed to be the decision making body for the school, but we have been kept in the dark about the TUSD dealings until recently. Now we are trying to save our little school.

These are very tough economic times, and public education is no exception. In fact, they are more at-risk than ever. But, as parents who send our kids to JP Elem, we have been working diligently to attract more students, and to make JP a school that is focused on Science and Math integrated through the Arts. We have the opportunity to become a NASA sponsered school... this school would be nationally recognized!

Worse for homeowners and families in the neighborhood:  It is my understanding that if TUSD does not remain open, that the family who deeded the property to TUSD will take it back and SELL IT TO UMC AS A PARKING AREA. This will surely bring down property values--- not to mention the disruption to our children's education.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE--- whatever your motivation (to keep the school open for the kids' sake, or to prevent the paving over of the school for yet another parking area), PLEASE contact TUSD's Governing Board (on TUSD Website) and the Ward Three office to voice your concerns, and help us fight to keep the school open!!!!

There is a meeting at TUSD tomorrow night at 6pm at the 1010 East 10th offices. Many parents are planning to attend with signs of protest. Please join us.

I also beleive that the parents on the site council may be coming to the neighborhood association meeting on Wednsday night. I have a petition that I can bring if anyone wants to sign it.

Please help us keep our kids in the neighborhood, and KEEP JP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPEN!!!!

We have since found out that TUSD does in fact own the property but we are unsure as to what will happen to it if closed.  The chance of it becoming a parking lot had recently been confirmed to be just a rumor but we still are worried about destruction if left vacant or TUSD selling it to minidorm developers,  Either way, this will result in a decrease of our property values and the loss of a great small school.  Some of us have created a coalition to discuss our options.  If anyone would like to help with this venture, we will be at the Jefferson Park Carnival and silent auction this Friday night (May 7th) from 5:30-8:30.  Look for the people wearing nametags reading Coalition to Save Jefferson Park School.  We will get you on a list if you wish to help.  Come to the carnival for some great silent auction deals and fun for the whole family too.  I am a parent of a kindergartener and a homeowner in the neighborhood.  It is time to rally together and save our little gem at the heart of Tucson!