Our children at Lake Otis Elementary in Anchorage, AK deserve consistency, stability, and predictability in their education. For many years, Lake Otis Elementary has been more than a school—it has been a community hub and a safe haven for our children. It's home to four Life Skills classrooms, catering to students who have been with us since their preschool years. These are not just our students; they are our extended family, relying on the familiar environment and the dedicated staff that have nurtured them throughout their educational journey.

These children need our support. Changing their learning environment means disrupting their connections with classmates and staff, which are crucial for their development. They thrive in the Lake Otis environment, which provides them with the tailored support necessary for their growth. The proposal to close down this vital institution just to let an immersion school move in is not acceptable.

The emotional and social consequences of forcing these children to transition to a new school without their familiar support systems can have long-lasting effects. Research consistently shows that consistent support, stable environments, and reliable relationships are essential for special needs students. The predictable and supportive environment at Lake Otis is integral to their success.

We urge the Anchorage School District to reconsider their decision. Instead of displacing students who have unique and critical needs, let's seek alternative solutions that can accommodate all students. Identify other locations for the immersion school without touching the sanctity of the spaces dedicated to Life Skills education.

Please sign this petition to preserve the invaluable ecosystem that Lake Otis Elementary provides for our children. Together, we can advocate for a stable future that respects the educational needs of all our kids.

We are a direct feeder to Wendler… we could toss a ball to them! Instead, we pass children to them.

We have housed so many student teachers and practicum students over the years due to how close we are to UAA… heck, I was an adjunct for the Ed Dept at UAA for several semesters, as was a past principal.

We are close to King Tech, which houses an Early Childhood program, and have had them onsite on several occasions to do observations.

Several Providence staff choose to have kiddos at our school due to the close location.

Several families choose Lake Otis because they have doctor appts nearby at the Alaska Native Hospital, Regional, or Providence.