As the PTA president for Alpine Crest Elementary, I represent a community that is deeply troubled by the Hamilton County Board of Education's plan to close our beloved neighborhood school. This decision would not only disrupt the lives of countless families and staff, but also jeopardize the strong sense of community we have spent decades establishing.

I want to highlight some essential facts about Alpine Crest Elementary that make it an invaluable asset to our community:

1. Academic Excellence: Over the years, Alpine Crest has consistently achieved high academic standards. We are a level 5 and Reward school. Our Beta Club logged over 900 hours of community service last year and was awarded top honors at the national level.

2. State-of-the-Art Facilities: Unlike the Dupont Elementary site proposed for consolidation, Alpine Crest boasts exceptional facilities that enhance learning experiences for students. We have invested in a new E-lab, Bluebird nestboxes trail (with live footage for classrooms), certified Butterfly garden and Arboretum, and brand new playground. Most notably, community members spent the summer constructing a new $7000 outdoor classroom specifically designed for Forest Kindergarten – an innovative program that started this year.

3. Proximity & Accessibility: Closing Alpine Crest would force students from Red Bank to travel outside city limits to attend a "super school" for up to 1200 students. This poses logistical challenges, puts unnecessary strain on families (extra gas and time commuting), and will create gridlock on a major throughway twice a day, 180 days a year.

4. Community Engagement: Our PTA conducts many outreach programs throughout the school year: Back to School Bash, Fall Festival, Breakfast with Buddies, Teacher/Staff appreciation, Grants for each grade level (typically used for field trips or classroom supplies), Graduation celebration, Classroom incentive parties, Positive behavior reward days, and more!  Each board member's volunteer duties would be rendered unattainable, including the logistics of conducting fundraisers to make it all happen, with a school population of over 1000 families.

We must stand together to fight for what is best for our children and for our community. By signing this petition, you are sending a clear message to the Hamilton County Board of Education that our school is worth preserving. It's crucial that future generations in Red Bank have access to an exceptional education within their own neighborhood!

Thank you for your support,

Laura Ellinor