Hello Neighbors, Would you like college bound 6-12 students in our neighborhood to have an excellent local school they can attend? Do you think that East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Stanton Heights and Sunnyside deserve a successful middle school and high school nearby? Whether you are a student, parent or member of the community, you can help make this happen. Peabody can become the home of the Obama 6-12 International Baccalaureate school - but this will only happen with YOUR HELP. What's going on with Peabody High School? Peabody may be closed very soon. Three out of four students in the Peabody feeder pattern choose a school other than Peabody (the feeder pattern is the geographic area assigned to the neighborhood school) . By the Fall of 2012, it's estimated only 194 students will attend Peabody, and the recent <http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/143110112993329507/site/default.asp> DeJong Long Term Facility Report recommends closing Peabody. What is Obama IB? <http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/539320111414234377/site/default.asp> The Obama 6-12 International Baccalaureate School is a magnet school that offers a rigorous curriculum with an international focus. Obama IB is open to any student in the district, but students have to apply and meet certain academic criteria to remain enrolled. IB schools have long been popular in affluent areas; they provide students with advantages that help them succeed in an increasingly globalized work environment. Some of the country <http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/americas-b est-high-schools-gold-medal-list.html?PageNr=1> 's best high schools are IB Schools. Why should Peabody be the home of Obama IB? Strong neighborhoods need strong schools. Obama IB at Peabody gives families an incentive to live in neighborhoods north of the busway rather than moving to Squirrel Hill, Shadyside or the suburbs. Furthermore, a PGH <http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_601764.html> Public School Committee made up of students, parents and teachers recommended that Peabody be the home of Obama IB. (Disclaimer: I was a member of that committee). The DeJong Facility Report ranked Peabody as a BETTER FACILITY than Reizenstein - but then recommended keeping Obama IB at Reizenstein! Obama IB at Peabody provides a great opportunity for students, and it will strengthen our neighborhoods. What can YOU do? Here's what you can do: 1) Forward this email to your friends and neighbors - especially people in neighborhoods north of the busway. 2) Attend the public hearing at Peabody on 2/7 at 7pm or Westinghouse on 2/25 at 7pm and voice your support for Obama IB at Peabody. 3) Email your Board Member at <mailto:boardoffice@pghboe.net> boardoffice@pghboe.net or call at (412) 622-3770 and ask him or her to move Obama IB to Peabody a. IF YOU EMAIL, BE SURE TO INCLUDE 'MOVE OBAMA IB TO PEABODY - ATTN: BOARD MEMBER'S NAME' IN THE SUBJECT b. District 2 (Highland Park, Stanton Heights, Sunnyside) - Dara Ware Allen c. District 3 (East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield) - Thomas Sumpter d. Example Text: 'Dear Board Member: I am a student/parent/community member in your district. I support moving the Obama IB School to Peabody. It's a superior facility and will support families in my neighborhood better than the Reizenstein facility. East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Stanton Heights and Sunnyside deserve a local 6-12 school that college bound students want to attend." 4) Please email me at westpennworks@gmail.com with your comments and let me know if you would like to do more to help. Your help will make a difference. Thank you. Dave Atkinson Parent and Highland Park Resident <mailto:westpennworks@gmail.com> westpennworks@gmail.com