Parents from Arbor Heights Elementary gathered at a special community meeting on Dec. 2 to discuss different strategies to save their neighborhood school, which the district has recommended to close.

The school's cafeteria was packed with concerned families, many wearing neon green shirts that read "Save Arbor Heights."

Lead by co-presidents of the Parent, Teacher and Student Association Suzette Riley and Eric Iwamoto, the group discussed several different ways they plan to help the school district recognize the value of their program.

For one, members of the Parent, Teacher and Student Association will testify at the School Board meeting on Dec. 3 and may participate in a community consulting workshop at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence on Dec. 4 and Dec. 6.

Parents may also organize a protest outside Barnes and Noble in Westwood Village on Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 during a fundraiser at the store organized to benefit the school.

Since the school district recommended that Arbor Heights program close so that the facility can be used for Pathfinder K-8, an alternative program in desperate need of new facilities, Iwamoto has been gathering significant information on alternative facilities for Pathfinder.

The Seattle School Board is expected to make a final decision regarding school closure on Jan. 29.

Rose Egge may be contacted at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com