Get it together, Grant Community. This isn't a pep assembly.

I'm supremely irritated this evening. I've been hearing fits and starts about the PPS conversations about the high school restructuring. And I'm not cross at the PPS Board. Nope. I'm vexed because once again, I find that I'm living amongst a population whose majority has forgotten to use the brains God gave them to think before they speak.

I was reading up on the PPS progress, and have discovered to my dismay that not only are there large groups of people who have lost sight of the *actual* reason behind the restructuring, but those same folks have been speaking out in meetings, on Facebook, and other venues using information that is based in some universe other than the one called Fact.

Earlier, I responded on a Facebook "group" page to this statement (which was posted by the group's administrator): "The Portland Public School Board wants to close Grant High school and turn it into a magnet school thereby leaving families in inner NE no option for public high school. GHS has been a thriving part of the community since the 1920's. It is a rare: a neighborhood public school serving the inner city mixing lower and middle class along with different races, religions, and ethnicities. It is not a perfect school but it is a good school and the only inner NE option.

The Board wants to shut it to NE families forcing people to ship their kids off to the 'burbs or to private schools. (emphasis added)

Grant alumni take action! NE Families take action! Fellow Portlanders take action!"

Now, certainly this is an impassioned call to arms! We don't want our school SHUT DOWN! Criminy! Where will all those kids go to school?! Holy cats! Something must be done! But the thing that's most alarming is the speed at which the FALSE statement above rapidly spreads - not only through social networking sites like Facebook, but from child to child - from parent to parent - until soon, the misinformation has spread like wildfire and everyone is in panic mode!

My initial post in response was this: "I'm not sure that the information listed here is entirely correct. I take great issue with the statement that "the {school} board wants to shut {Grant} to NE families forcing people to ship their kids off to the 'burbs or to private schools." That is entirely untrue. As I understand it, Grant is one of a few schools whose central location and accessibility to the transit system make it an ideal candidate for a different school venue. There are much greater worries and larger issues at stake than the possible reuse of one building here."

Now, there's one theory that Grant will be used for several "magnet" programs within the building, and that there might be options within that theory. Certainly as one of many people whose neighborhood and familial ties to the school are emotionally based, it might be the end of an era for several thousand individuals. Indeed, my children are fifth generation in the same neighborhood. My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sibling and I all went to US Grant. But I'm not sure that alumni status creates a sufficient base for the type of hysteria that I hear surrounding the talks about possible uses for PPS buildings.

Ultimately, I'm confident that people will come to the realization that the sacrifice of one building does not mean the end of school spirit, and I hope that the adults involved in the reorganization will continue within the respectful language of community, educational improvement, and a cooperative spirit aimed at the greater good for the most students. That's the most important point - the BEST solution for the MOST students. This is not a Grant High issue, people. This is a City of Portland issue. And what is best for the small community of Grant High might *not* be what is best for the city wide high school population. Let's not forget that this isn't happening this year. Or next year. It's a 5 - 6 year plan of implementation for full phase in.

As has always been an option for people who don't want to participate in the public school system as a public school system, there are a multitude of places that your children can go - places you can send them for schooling where you don't have to worry about restructuring, equalization, or opportunity! Those places are called Catlin Gabel, OES, Jesuit, The International School, Central Catholic, St. Mary's, Cedarwood, and LaSalle. Take your pick!

Furthermore, the Facebook page "Save Grant High School" is becoming a breeding ground for complaints and assumptions based on incorrect information, misinformed and emotionally based opinions.

"I think it's fantastic that you have a vested interest in maintaining Grant High as it stands now... But I think there's a grave disservice in *mis* informing people on this page about the purpose and plan of the school board. I'm all for people being passionate about issues, but they must be given correct information if they are to make informed decisions. Please consider a careful edit of your sideline in an effort to encourage the most reasonable and thoughtful discourse possible on this topic. As it stands, the information you've provided is not just misleading. It's incorrect."

I sent the note above to the admin, and I do hope that people stand back and take a look at what the school board is *really* proposing. This is in no way a personal slam against one person's rights to post up whatever information they want. But it is just one example of the misdirection and emotional smoke screen that prevents productive discussion and progress - a slippery slope that is far too easy to slide down.

If people would take the time to research the topic at hand, they would see clearly (not just from the PPS site, but also from reports at the Oregonian and the Portland Sentinel) that the purpose of restructuring of the school boundaries is to condense the populations into their neighborhood schools. Does anyone get this? The school board is TRYING TO GET MORE KIDS CLOSER TO HOME. This plan is being formed with an eye towards equalizing the programs offered at every neighborhood school. Listen again - EQUALIZING THE PROGRAMS. The magnet program possibility at Grant should make people excited, and proud that not only is Grant one option for the magnet program because of the close proximity to transit, but also because YAY! Grant is a great school! We can use that as a model and offer it to MORE kids CITY WIDE!

Does anyone else see the irony here? People are complaining because Grant is a great high school. Why should we lose our great school and let it have the possibility of becoming a beacon for the rest of the city? Everyone wants to bash the school board for finally trying to solve what *those same complainers* have been complaining about for years! Inequality in school programs! Classes are too big! Not enough diversity! Not enough "specialized" educational opportunities for gifted and focused children!

Well guess what, Portland? This is an opportunity to create a more intimate school community for those kids who currently have neighborhood schools that *aren't* as lucky as Grant & Lincoln, and it will equalize the playing field across the entire city.

Right now, not every school has basic additions like art, music, and sports. Do you all remember when we were in an uproar because of the HORROR of losing those items?

Right now, only some schools have Advanced Placement and "honors" classes. Does anyone think that the children at those schools are more deserving than others?

The PPS Board is trying to provide an equal opportunity to each child across the high school system. Public school is the cornerstone of our democratic society. It is imperative that people of this city realize that every child is entitled to that participation. Participation in a safe, clean, environment. An environment that includes more than adequate teachers, programs, and activities.

I applaud those fellow parents who take time to do the research, who take time to think BEYOND our own backyards, and look FORWARD to an opportunity for each child across the city. For crying out loud, people. Think beyond 33rd Avenue. If you don't like the way things are, then start doing your research and get a good solution going. One that doesn't just save Grant's ass.  Do your homework.