Currently, the proposal to close Rose City Park Elementary School as part of Scenario A is being assessed by the Portland Public Schools (PPS) School Board. This plan threatens to split our student body in two & send students to two different schools outside of our neighborhood, 25 blocks away.  According to a recent PPS report, closing the school would directly affect over 400 students, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds and rely heavily on the resources and support networks available at Rose City Park.

Rose City Park Elementary is a thriving, multicultural neighborhood school. Closing it makes no sense & will hurt our community: 

• RCP embeds the Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion program in a historically Vietnamese neighborhood 
• RCP is nearly a Title 1 school (1 student away)
• RCP operates as one school: splitting it into two divides our community & in some cases forces parents to drop their kids off at two separate locations 
• Closure interferes with our schoolyard vision plan: we've secured $227,490 in funding to begin Phase 1 this spring (including funds from the City's Percent for Green Program & the EPA's Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership)
• Undermines the reassurance given during seismic evaluations that RCP would NOT be slated for closure; assuring us that this cause was worth our time, money & grant funding in school yard infrastructure & vision plans. At no point did PPS indicate this work could be wasted
• Significantly damages trust & discourages future community investment 

A study by the Center for Education Reform has shown that closing neighborhood schools often results in lower student performance, increased dropout rates, and a decline in community engagement. These outcomes would be detrimental, particularly now as students are still adjusting to the changes brought by the pandemic.

Instead of closing Rose City Park Elementary, we urge the PPS School Board to explore alternative solutions. When it comes to rightsizing's alleged benefits, the end doesn't justify the means. Portland has a strong tradition of community involvement and innovation, and together we can find a way that ensures the sustainability and prosperity of our beloved school.

Let's show the power of our community and our commitment to education. Sign this petition to urge the PPS School Board to reject the plan to close Rose City Park Elementary School and to work towards solutions that uphold our community values and ensure every child's right to quality education close to home.

Please sign and share this petition with others who recognize the vital role that Rose City Park Elementary School plays in our community. Together, we can make a difference for generations to come.