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lilacmoon83 · 5 years

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Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 181: Save Me

Joe flipped the closed sign on the diner door, as he watched the clouds in the sky swirl dangerously above the city.

"Damn...have you ever seen a storm like this?" Frankie asked his husband and Joe instinctively put an arm around him.

"Nah...this ain't normal. I can feel it in my bones," Joe replied.

"Joe...what is it?" Frankie asked, noticing the peculiar look on his face.

"You know, when we got married, it was the best day of my life and I thought this could be okay, even after they denied us the chance to adopt," Joe mentioned.

"Yeah...it was my fault. Guess being a cop means nothing if you got into trouble in your teens. Never knew they'd go back into my past," Frankie said shamefully.

"You were a kid, love and it was a stupid technicality. Doesn't change how much I love you," he said, smiling at him.

"But then we met David and his little girl and I saw two people that needed to be taken care of. So we did...for two years. I knew they were special the moment they walked in here," Joe replied.

"Me too...then they got their family back and still needed us," Frankie said fondly.

"I got this feeling in my gut, Frankie. Maybe it's the cop in me...but something tells me that they need us...they need family now," he added.

"Then let's go find them," Frankie agreed, as they left the diner, hand in hand. And somehow, deep inside, they knew they wouldn't be back.

~*~

The ominous clouds churned above the city, getting darker and darker by the minute. Lightning could be seen flashing inside the brewing mass of cumulus matter and what had begun as a small system seemed to be quickly growing. It was slowly blanketing the city and it was already drawing the attention of the entire populous of Seattle.

"And if you're just joining us, you're probably seeking answers for this sudden storm. Our radars are functioning properly and this sudden storm is a bit of a mystery," the meteorologist reported, as Jacinda watched the report on her phone.

"This doesn't make any sense," she commented.

"It makes perfect sense if you'd just believe," Lucy chimed in. The brunette sighed and looked over at Henry. His eyes were fixated on the clouds above and he looked a little pale.

"Henry...what's wrong?" She questioned.

"All of this...it's all real," he realized. Lucy's eyes widened.

"You remember?" she asked.

"No...but it's all so familiar," he realized.

"He's right…" Ivy offered, as she approached with Ana and both had clearly been crying.

"Ivy...what happened?" Jacinda asked.

"Mother...she's gone. She sacrificed herself for me," Ivy cried, as Jacinda hugged her.

"Gone? What do you mean?" Jacinda questioned. Ivy sniffed.

"She's dead...she sacrificed herself to save...to save us," Ivy said, realizing what she was saying. She had almost said that she sacrificed herself to save Ana, but she knew that wasn't accurate. Her mother had given her life for her as well.

After years of believing that her mother didn't love her, years of jealousy over Ana, and hurt about her mother's favoritism, which had morphed into hate, her mother had made the ultimate sacrifice for her. And Ivy wasn't sure how she felt about that. Now that there was no target for her hate and jealousy, she was just left feeling empty. Regina had once warned her that this is what revenge would leave her with, if she managed to survive her quest to quench that revenge. Snow and Charming had even tried to counsel her mother at times, trying to get her to see what her mother's favoritism was doing to her daughter. Regina's advice and Snow and Charming's counsel had always fell on deaf ears. Or so she thought. Until just moments ago, she would have sworn that she hated her mother and her mother hated her. And to find out that the case was neither left her feeling lost. Add to that, she suddenly had an incredible amount of guilt, for she had allowed Gothel to use her and may have very well contributed to the apocalypse that seemed to be upon them.

"Ivy...I don't understand. What do you mean she sacrificed herself to save you?" Jacinda questioned in confusion.

"It's because of Gothel, isn't it?" Lucy asked. Ivy nodded.

"You're right, Lucy...you've been right about everything," Ivy answered, as tears slipped down her cheeks.

"This is all my fault...we're all going to die, because of me," she sobbed, as Ana hugged her tightly.

"We're not going to die, Aunt Ivy," Lucy insisted, as she turned to her parents.

"Please...you have to remember," she pleaded.

"Lucy...sweetheart, I don't know what it is that's going on here, but it doesn't mean that Henry's book is real. I know you want it to be, sweetie…" Jacinda said.

"No Jacinda...she's right and I think I know something that might help," Ivy interjected, as she fished something out of her shoulder bag.

"Mother thrust her bag into my arms, just before she died and I think I know why," she continued, as she pulled a glass slipper from it. Lucy gasped and Henry's eyes became fixated on the object. She placed it in his hands and his eyes widened in shock, as it all played back to him in his head. Everything...growing up in Storybrooke with his loving family, all their adventures, and danger. Then leaving to break out on his own and meeting Ella. Then having Lucy and the curse...with his mother being left behind. He took a strangled breath, as it all crashed down on him and he looked up at the ominous storm above.

"Henry?" Lucy asked and he looked at her with awe and wonder in his eyes.

"Not Henry...Dad," he answered, as she practically jumped into his arms. He hugged her tightly and cradled her head, which instantly reminded him of his grandfather. His eyes widened and he put Lucy down, as he went over to Tilly, who was staring at the wrecked garden.

"Tilly…" he said, as he shook her shoulder.

"She's coming…" the girl uttered.

"Who's coming, Tilly?" Rogers asked, as Margot got in her line of vision, trying to snap her from the trance she seemed to be in.

"Tilly...who is coming?" Margot repeated.

"I think she means me," a voice said, as Gothel emerged from the cavern by climbing up the vines that had sprouted forth from the earth.

"Eloise?" Rogers asked in confusion.

"Hello Captain," she answered in a sultry tone.

"Captain?" he asked in confusion.

"You…" Henry growled and she smirked.

"The author is awake at last…" she responded.

"You poisoned my mother! Your curse made me think I was an orphan and my family was dead?!" Henry exclaimed, as he advanced toward her. But one of her vines came alive and wrapped around him, constricting around him and suspended him in the air.

"Henry!" Jacinda cried, as commotion from normal citizens erupted around them, as no one could hardly believe what they were seeing.

"Dad!" Lucy cried, as the vines squeezed him.

"Tilly…" Margot said, as she tried to get through the glazed expression on her face.

"Alice!" Henry called out and that was the trick to snapping her out of the trance. She blinked and looked up, gasping, as she saw him being squeezed to death. Without thinking, a spark of golden colored magic left her fingertips and snapped the live vine, which screeched, as it died and turned to black ash. Henry fell to the ground and Jacinda helped him up, as she looked at Tilly in shock. And onlookers also stared at the blonde in shock, for they had seen the golden sparks she emitted from her hands. Their chatter was akin to a collective buzzing, as they conversed and discussed what they were seeing.

"What...what was that?" Alice asked, starting to panic and Henry realized that she still wasn't fully awake.

"That's what makes you special, Alice...you're my daughter and together, we can remake this world. I just need your power to help me," Gothel stated.

"Daughter?" Alice asked in confusion.

"You're no mother to her...and you know it," Henry spat angrily, as he put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Is what she says true?" Tilly asked.

"Yes...but she's evil. She abandoned you and poisoned your father's heart so you couldn't be together," Henry explained.

"Don't listen to him, Alice...he just wants you to use your powers to save his family. He doesn't care about you," Gothel argued.

"She's wrong...because you are part of my family," he insisted hotly.

"I am?" she asked in confusion.

"Yes...you're my step-sister," he explained.

"Who's my father?" she asked.

"It's me...isn't?" Rogers asked, as the confusion was still present in his eyes. But he shook his head.

"I don't know how...but I feel it. It's me, isn't it?" he repeated desperately. Henry smiled and nodded.

"Yes…" he answered.

"I don't know how...but I feel it. None of this makes any sense. It's your book, isn't it? It's real?" Rogers asked, as he felt a weight being lifted, as he accepted that as his reality.

"All of it…" Henry answered.

"Papa?" Tilly asked hopefully. He nodded and reached for her hand. She reached out as well, but vines exploded between them and snatched Rogers up, proceeding to squeeze around him.

"No! Papa!" Tilly cried, as Gothel commanded the vines and tossed him to the ground. There was a sickening crack and they rushed to Rogers side. They saw the blood around his head and Tilly screamed, as she started sobbing uncontrollably. Henry stared in disbelief, as Drew gingerly checked for a pulse.

"He's alive...but it's weak. We need to get him to a hospital!" he called.

"No one is going anywhere!" Gothel announced, as her vines continued to grow through the city. They watched in horror, as they sprouted up everywhere, wrapping around buildings and houses. The result was explosions and mass destruction, as buildings and bridges collapsed, crippling infrastructure with devastation and killing hundreds in an instant.

"Magic is back…" Henry muttered. And he knew that meant that his Aunt Eva was Hook's only chance of surviving. However, he knew getting her here would be a challenge and he watched Drew slip away from the vines.

"Find my aunt and Paul if you can! They're his only chance!" Henry called. Prince Naveen nodded and slipped away, as he took off running into the city.

"Hang on Hook…" he murmured, as he took off his flannel shirt and pressed it to his cracked skull.

"We need to keep pressure on it," he said, as Jacinda put her hands on his and their eyes locked. He didn't see recognition yet, but it was obvious to her now that her life was not what she thought it was.

"Join me Alice…" Gothel implored.

"No...you're evil! I'll never join you!" she shouted back, as she stood in front of Margot, afraid that Gothel would go for her next. But the witch only smirked.

"Then I guess I'll just have to take your power by force," she growled, as she struck Tilly with the amulet and began to absorb her magic. She cried out in pain and Margot was blasted back, as she tried to go to her.

"Fight her Alice! You're the Guardian! Wake up!" Henry pleaded with her. But it didn't seem to matter and she continued her magical assault on her daughter…

~*~

The large, heavy doors were pushed open and they were prodded inside, as his eyes darted around, until he finally saw her.

"SNOW!" he cried, as he saw her. There was a thick chain hanging from the rafters and at the end of it, Snow hung painfully by shackles that were attached to the suspended manacles. He wrists were bleeding from the steel that cut into her soft flesh and tears streamed down her face, as she whimpered through the gag between her teeth.

"LET HER GO! YOU'RE HURTING HER, YOU BASTARD!" David roared, as he struggled with the two brutes that held him back. He turned sharply and delivered an uppercut to one and kicked the other one in the abdomen. He ran toward Snow, but Clayton cut him off by stepping into his path and shoving the plasma rod into his abdomen. David dropped to his knees in pain, as the Collector took vicious delight in his torture.

"Dad!" Emma cried and Snow screamed for him through the gag. From the bag that held the chalice, there was a pulsing glow, as if it was sensing the danger to its charges.

"It's time," Clayton said, as he stopped electrocuting David and then kicked him in the gut, causing him more pain, as he writhed on the ground.

"It's time to seize the power. I'll have thirty seconds to absorb the power back into my staff," he said, as he held the staff and looked at Snow with an evil smirk.

"Slit her throat," he ordered, as one of his hired hands moved in with a knife.

"Mom!" Emma cried, as she advanced, but both were stricken still and they saw the Facilier held two dolls modeled after them.

"No...MOM!" Summer cried, as she struggled against her captor. Snow's eyes widened in fear, as she could feel the man behind her. David growled and barreled into the man with a savage cry, burying his fists into him again and again. The man fought back and rolled, now pinning David on the floor, as he got his hands around the Prince's neck.

"Killing him will work too," Clayton said, nonchalantly, as David gasped for air.

But a gunshot rang out and the thug slumped dead onto David. He breathed air into his starved lungs and climbed out from under the dead weight, as he looked at Rumple in the doorway.

"Thanks," he rasped.

"Guess I'll have to do it myself," Clayton growled, as he turned his staff around, baring the sharp end, and strode purposefully toward Snow. Rumple and Belle started toward Summer, to free her first, but Facilier halted them.

"Another step...and the Savior won't need to worry about her poisoned heart being the thing that kills her," he warned, stilling them. But David got up and intended to head Clayton off, when Facilier warned him too.

"Another step, Your Highness and you'll lose your daughter in addition to your wife," he warned. Snow's eyes locked with his, as more tears slipped down her cheeks. Suddenly, there was a rumbling beneath them and chaos erupted, as thick, thorny vines emerged from beneath them, wrecking havoc to anything in their wake. They reached as high as the sky and the ceiling crumbled around them. Belle cried out, as Rumple shielded her from any falling debris. The chalice still glowed and David heard the voice inside him.

"You don't have to be holding the chalice to wield its power," Endymion reminded. David closed his eyes and concentrated on the chalice, pleading for help. He felt something in his hand and opened his eyes, as a glowing sword was now in his hand. The blade was lit with the magic of the chalice and he set his jaw in determination, as he swung the blade and demolished the thick vines in his way like nothing. He hacked his way through them, as Clayton still struggled to get around them so he could murder Snow, but there was no way David was going to let him hurt her. He sliced through the last vine that blocked his path to Snow and with a strong swing, he swiped through the thick manacle with one arm, while catching her in the other. She looked up at him, love and relief shining in her eyes, as he cradled her against him. He freed her from the shackles and she removed the gag.

"Oh Charming…" she gushed, as she clung to him.

"It's okay, my darling. You're safe," he promised.

"And that won't last...I assure you," Clayton growled.

"We have to end this...or Gothel is going to destroy this entire city," he whispered to her.

"Then we'll do this together," she added, as he pressed up on the small of her back, bringing her lips crashing against his in a smoldering kiss. He picked up his sword and helped her to her feet then.

"That's a very nice sword," she complimented with a smile. He grinned back.

"I think the chalice might have something for you too," he said, as he watched her close her eyes and concentrate. As expected, a bow and a quiver appeared in her hands.

"You really think your arrows and swords are going to get you out of this?" Clayton growled, as he climbed around the large vines obstructing his path. Snow threaded an arrow and then fired it at one blocking their path to their daughters. David's eyes widened in surprise, as the arrow exploded upon contact and burned away at the vines.

"Exploding arrows...that's awesome," David commented, as he took her hand and they climbed their way through the virtual jungle that had sprouted up. Clayton growled and followed them.

"Emma?" they called, as they made their way out.

"Over here!" Regina called to them, as they found her with Summer, Belle, and Rumple. And there was the chalice, glowing and pouring over with magic.

"Looks like magic is back…" Emma said, as she held her heart in pain.

"No…" they cried, as they rushed to her side.

"Serves you right...you're killing your own daughter with your precious chalice," Facilier commented.

"Shut up…" Regina growled, as a fireball appeared in her hand.

"Reminding me of your presence now isn't wise," she added, but he only smirked in amusement.

"It's good to see that ripping your dark side from you didn't take your wit too," he retorted.

"Magic is here…" Rumple realized. Belle's brow furrowed in confusion.

"But that doesn't make much sense. If the chalice answers to Snow and Charming's call, why would it return magic when it would know doing so could kill Emma," Belle wondered. Rumple watched the realization on David's face, as he suddenly seemed to have the answer.

"That's it…" he realized.

"What do you mean?" Snow asked.

"When I was poisoned...drinking the wine in the chalice healed me," he reminded.

"But...there's no wine this time," she said. He smiled.

"There doesn't need to be. Its power is made of true love...Emma is made of true love. That must be partly why she needs to kill us. She knows the chalice can heal Emma...it's why she left her behind," he replied, as the answer came to him like lightning.

"Is it really that easy? Has it really been in front of us this whole time?" she wondered with hope in her voice. He nodded.

"Regina...we need to pull Emma's heart out," he said. She looked astonished.

"No one has ever been able to pull her heart out. My mother tried...even Gothel tried and couldn't do it. She had to poison her from the inside," Regina reminded. His shoulders slumped in defeat.

"The advantage she once had of not being able to have her heart ripped will now be her undoing. Poetic indeed," Facilier commented.

"One more word from you and one of these exploding arrows is coming at you," Snow warned dangerously, as they cradled their daughter.

"Guys...it's okay. You can let me go…" Emma rasped, as she accepted death.

"Never," Snow refuted with vehemence.

"We'll figure this out," David insisted, as his eyes were desperate again.

"Here...this can cut her heart out," Rumple offered, as he offered the dagger to David. The Prince looked at him in confusion and horror. He knew how much trust the Dark One had to have in him to offer it, but he was still horrified by the prospect.

"Are you insane? You want me to cut my daughter's heart out?" he questioned.

"The dagger is the exact opposite of her. If there is anything that can rip her heart, it's this. If you want to save her...then do it," he insisted, as David took the dagger and turned back. The dagger lit up, as he pressed the tip to Emma's chest. She gasped, as her heart was pulled from her body. Snow grasped the chalice and they watched in amazement, as it sucked the green poison out of her heart. Emma gasped in relief, as her heart was cured and the poison was burned away by the chalice. Snow and Charming's mouths, which were ajar at this, turned into bright smiles, as they stared down at their eldest baby with love. Regina and Summer smiled too, as the former hugged her granddaughter close in relief. David guided her heart back into her chest and helped her sit up.

"Mom...Dad...you saved me," she uttered, as they hugged her between them. David looked up at Rumple and handed the dagger back to him.

"Thank you...I know that took a lot of trust on your part to give it to me," he said gratefully.

"You've protected my family, as well as your own over the years. From one father to another, I knew you'd never abuse the power and only use it to save your child," Rumple replied, as Belle put her arms around him and smiled up at him.

"You realize that this makes you officially a hero now, right?" David teased, earning an eye roll.

"Don't start with that," he retorted, as Belle grinned at him and kissed his cheek.

"Not to break up the love fest, but we need to get out of here and find Gothel. She's the source of all this," Regina reminded. They agreed and began to follow her out.

"This was your plan to get the chalice?" Facilier hissed.

"I really don't see you doing much better," Clayton growled back, as he followed them.

"Our deal is still on, providing you don't get in my way. I will have that chalice," the Collector seethed, as he prepared to follow them right to Gothel and into the thick of another battle. Facilier watched him go.

"Or I'll witness your demise and take the chalice for my own," he said, as he followed as well. What was to come was sure to be an epic battle and he was going to capitalize on it in anyway possible.

Snow and David used their arrows and sword respectively to hack their way through the vines that now occupied the ruined Museum. Emma and Regina used their magic as well to clear a path, while making sure Summer stayed close.

"Mom! Dad!" Leo called, as he guarded Eva and Bobby near the entrance. They rushed to their other kids and hugged them close.

"If magic is back…" Eva said, as she looked at her older sister with worry. But Emma smiled.

"It's okay...Mom and Dad figured out how to cure my heart, with Gold's help," she said, as she looked at Rumple and Belle, who had been following them lastly as well. They made their way outside and witnessed the ominous storm clouds that now blanketed the city.

"Looks like she's hard at work," Emma commented.

"And this is without your parents star seeds. If she gets them...this world will be eaten alive at an even more alarming rate," Rumple warned, just as Drew came running up the stairs.

"Naveen?" David asked, as he young man nodded.

"Yes, I'm awake and Hook is hurt...badly. He's got one chance," Naveen said, as he looked at Eva.

"Let's go…" she said, as they hurried after him and soon arrived at the community garden, which seemed to the epicenter of destruction.

"Finally...the guests of honor have arrived," Gothel stated, as they witnessed Tilly being suspended by the vines. David willed his sword to draw on the power of the chalice again and he used the charged blade to slice through the thick vine. He caught Tilly, before she could fall to the ground and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Grandpa Charming?" she asked drowsily. He smiled and then her eyes widened in horror.

"Papa!" she exclaimed, as he hugged her gently.

"He's going to be fine," David promised, as nodded to him and Alice watched Eva use her magic to heal his head wound, just as Paul arrived, having gotten Henry's call. Of course he still thought he was Dr. Anthony Narita and he stared at Eva in awe.

"Dr. Aeson...how did you do that?" he asked in disbelief, as he watched Detective Rogers awaken with no injuries.

"It's a very long story that you've forgotten...but I promise you'll remember soon," Eva answered.

"Alice…" Hook called, as he sat up.

"Welcome back," Eva said, with a smile.

"Papa?" Alice asked. He smiled and stood up, as she rushed into his arms. He hugged her tightly and then looked up, seeing Emma there.

"Emma...you're alive…" he said tearfully. She smiled.

"And all cured, thanks to Mom and Dad...and Rumple too," she replied, as he opened his arm and she joined them in a hug.

"Mom…" Henry said, choking back a sob, as he approached. Her eyes widened.

"Henry...you're awake too?" she asked. He nodded and he rushed toward her too, as they hugged tightly.

"Gods I've missed you, kid," she gushed, as she breathed him in. He swiped a few tears away and then turned to his grandparents, before rushing toward them as well.

"Wait...a lot of us are remembering, but the curse isn't broken yet," Henry stated, as he pulled back from their hug.

"No...but it's weak enough that people are slowly waking up and once we defeat her, we'll break it completely," David said, as he looked to Gothel, who stood before them, poised to finish what she had started.

"Or you and your wife can just die already so I can have your star seeds," she hissed, as her vines whipped around them. David sliced them all, as they came close to him and Snow proceeded to use her exploding arrows to incinerate them, causing awe and amazement to the people witnessing the spectacle.

"Well...guess there's no hiding it anymore," Emma said, as her hands lit up with white light and a fireball appeared in Regina's hand. Leo's hands sparked with cobalt lightning and Eva's swirled with pink magic. Summer released bubbles and encased the poison darts some of the man-eating plants started to release, while Bobby used his powers to swallow up as many vines back into the ground as he could.

"Aunt Regina!" Leo exclaimed, as he saw one of the poison darts heading for her back, but it was thankfully knocked out of the way by an arrow. Regina sighed in relief, as Robin stood there, along with Zelena, a still very confused Chad, Rose Red, and Fandral, as well as their children. Being half Asgardian, Carina, Ben, and Ari all wielded swords and enhanced strength like their father.

"Now the endgame can really begin...hold nothing back. As long as this witch draws breath...there is no future," Rumple growled, as he glared at Gothel. She smirked back.

"Not even you can stop what's coming, Dark One," she warned.

"But we can," Snow stated, as she stepped up and David stepped up beside her, as they joined hands.

"And we will," he added.

"We shall see, truest loves. Time to commence with the end of this world…" she replied, as power erupted from her fingertips and met theirs in an epic clash of true titans of dark and light...

#Snowing #SnowxCharming #Charming family #OC Charmings #Snowing & Charming family centric season 7 #hyperion heights #gothel #weaver #tilly #margot #Rogers #romance #adventure #family #Henry Mills #Emma Swan #finding you always #AU #the epic continues

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tragicbooks · 8 years

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Betsy DeVos is our education secretary. Here's what to do next.

<br>

On Feb. 7, 2017, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as America's next education secretary.

Resistance to her nomination was of historic proportions. Last week, two Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — broke ranks and announced they would oppose DeVos, leaving the GOP-controlled Senate at a 50-50 stalemate (all 48 Democrats opposed her nomination). Vice President Mike Pence cast the tiebreaking vote.

Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

If you attended or have kids in public schools, DeVos' nomination may be a tough pill to swallow. DeVos, a Michigan billionaire born into wealth, has never attended or worked in a public school — although her family has given the Republican Party about $200 million over the years. She's also been a big proponent of school choice — a controversial free-market education method that allows public funds to be siphoned off to private, parochial, and even for-profit schools. It's a strategy many education advocates have criticized, claiming it uses already scarce public school funds to benefit mostly upper-middle class and wealthy families, leaving the most vulnerable students and schools in even worse shape.

Admittedly, it was not a good day for many public school advocates. But now more than ever, American kids and schools need our help.

Here are 20 ways you can turn your anxiety over the future of public education into real action:

1. First and foremost, don't feel hopeless.

Let your frustrations fuel your advocacy. Among President Trump's controversial cabinet appointments, DeVos' agenda may be the least popular among Americans. The resistance to her plans is alive and well.

2. Help fund a project that will make a difference on Donors Choose.

The platform gives teachers a place to crowd-fund classroom projects, allowing individuals (that's you!) to help students, whether it be giving art supplies to students in California or providing iPads to kids in Brooklyn to boost their linguistic and social skills.

Photo via iStock.

3. If you can, get involved in the National Education Association.

The focus of NEA — the largest professional employee organization in the country — is to make public education high-quality and accessible to every student. There are many ways for prospective, current, and former public education professionals to join the cause.

4. Come midterm elections, don't forget which senators voted for DeVos — many of whom received campaign donations from her family:

Steve Daines (Montana), John Thune (South Dakota), Ron Johnson (Wisconsin), Richard Burr (North Carolina), Jeff Sessions (Alabama), Roger Wicker (Mississippi), Roy Blunt (Missouri), Bob Corker (Tennessee), Michael Enzi (Wyoming), John Barrasso (Wyoming), Dean Heller (Nevada), Rob Portman (Ohio), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), John McCain (Arizona), Richard Shelby (Alabama), Mike Lee (Utah), Ted Cruz (Texas), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Cory Gardner (Colorado), Rand Paul (Kentucky), Deb Fischer (Nebraska), Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), James Inhofe (Oklahoma), Jim Risch (Idaho), James Lankford (Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (Kansas), Patrick Toomey (Pennsylvania), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Michael Rounds (South Dakota), Thad Cochran (Mississippi), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Michael Crapo (Idaho), John Hoeven (North Dakota), Pat Roberts (Kansas), Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia), Orrin Hatch (Utah), John Kennedy (Louisiana), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), Todd Young (Indiana), Jeff Flake (Arizona), Tim Scott (South Carolina), Ben Sasse (Nebraska), Marco Rubio (Florida), David Perdue (Georgia), Johnny Isakson (Georgia), Charles Grassley (Iowa), John Cornyn (Texas), John Boozman (Arkansas), and Lamar Alexander (Tennessee).

5. Think local.

You know your own community best. What local or regional organizations do the crucial work unique to the problems facing the public schools in your city? Reach out and ask them how you can get involved.

Start volunteering with organizations that work in or with public schools now. Ask them what they need.

— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) February 7, 2017

6. Donate to No Kid Hungry.

The nonprofit helps feed American schoolchildren so they can stay full and focused in the classroom. One $10 gift can provide up to 100 meals to a kid who could use it.

7. Support after-school arts programs.

There's probably at least one group in your area helping teach art to kids outside the classroom — an opportunity that could help them in many ways for years to come. In Pittsburgh, for instance, free after-school art classes at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Youth & Arts teach any kids in the Pittsburgh public school system skills in ceramics, design, photography, and more.

8. Share this video of Sen. Al Franken questioning DeVos' support of anti-LGBTQ causes — and hold her accountable to do better.

Let the record show: Dollars from the DeVos family have gone toward horribly anti-LGBTQ initiatives, including gay (to straight) conversation therapy — a practice that's been deemed harmful by experts and is essentially a form of child abuse.

Despite her record, DeVos said during her Senate hearing that she never believed in gay conversation therapy and that she "fully embraces equality" for all students. Let's hold her accountable to that.

Earlier this evening, I questioned Betsy DeVos, President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, and was deeply troubled by the fact that she seemed unfamiliar with some of the most basic issues in education today. Ms. DeVos repeatedly refused to answer questions, let alone offer specifics. That was not what the American people needed to hear. They deserved to see her demonstrate that she understands and can successfully address the profoundly difficult challenges ordinary families face every day when it comes to education: things like making sure their kids are prepared for the 21st century economy, addressing student loan debt, and ensuring kids feel safe in school.

Posted by U.S. Senator Al Franken on Tuesday, January 17, 2017

9. Support your local libraries.

Libraries are great resources for our kids to learn outside the classroom (and they have so much more to offer than books). Get your library card, visit frequently, volunteer, and spread the word.

Speaking of libraries...

10. Create a Little Free Library in your own neighborhood.

Build a little library in your yard, stock it with some books, and let your neighbors enjoy. Ideally, it'll turn into a take-a-book, give-a-book situation.

Learn more about how to pull it off.

Canoe Libraries are becoming a thing. And it's amazing. #LittleFreeLibrary http://pic.twitter.com/u6lHAApe1N

— Little Free Library® (@LtlFreeLibrary) January 30, 2017

11. Fight for more affordable and free higher education at the ballot box.

Despite what you may think of DeVos' appointment, Americans increasingly support using public funds to ensure college is free or affordable to more students. Stanford University, for example, was cheered for guaranteeing students whose parents have a combined income of less than $125,000 would have free tuition. And San Francisco has also made waves for making City College free for residents.

Many state and local governments are also trying to make higher ed more accessible to more students. New York state may make its public colleges and universities free to attend for the vast majority of students. Stay plugged in to similar state and local initiatives in your own area.

12. Support the "nonpublic" schools in your area.

Nonpublic schools are, in fact, public schools for kids with moderate to severe disabilities that prevent them from attending a more traditional public school. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act ensures schools like them exist for any family that needs it.

Considering DeVos' nomination has disability advocates worried, the nonpublic schools in your community could probably use your support. Many host regular fundraisers and even need classroom volunteers.

13. Support the Kids in Need Foundation.

The nonprofit provides thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need every year, giving them the tools they need to succeed in class. (There are lots of groups doing similar work, by the way — if you do some digging, you may find a more local option.)

Photo via iStock.

14. Don't forget that Open eBooks is a thing, and it's spectacular.

Former President Obama's ConnectED initiative helped get more than $250 million worth of fantastic children's e-books online, available to any young person who wants to dive into a good read.

Because not every kid gets that chance.

15. Donate to First Book.

This nonprofit provides new books and other learning materials to kids and families in need. Since it was founded in 1992, the group has given away 160 million books and education resources.

16. Help tackle crime, nutrition, and education ... with veggies.

The nonprofit Gardopia Gardens operates community gardens at schools in Texas, helping make nutritional foods more accessible to kids. It not only teaches them about nutrition and gardening, it lowers crime rates in the neighborhoods where it operates. Similar programs are offered at schools around the country — if your local school doesn't already have one, why not look into what it would take to start one yourself?

17. Help make lunchtime a little more stress-free.

A cool thing you can do today is try to find out which of your local schools have kids with overdue lunch accounts and pay them off.

— Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) December 6, 2016

18. Support Publicolor.

Kids in New York City who work in the after-school program Publicolor paint beautiful works of art in schools in order to bring a splash of color to the spaces they share, build relationships, and learn valuable skills like commercial painting and positive work habits.

19. Stand up for immigrant students by supporting United We Dream.

The group had already been rallying educators to stand up to Trump's agenda. Now, with DeVos' nomination, its Educators Toolkit may be even more necessary.

20. Take matters into your own hands and run for a position on your local school board.

Now more than ever: RUN FOR YOUR SCHOOL BOARD https://t.co/8CBCKDpl3E

— Shannon Hale (@haleshannon) February 7, 2017

All politics are local, right? Run for school board in your community and make a difference.

Let's not sugarcoat it: DeVos' nomination is a major setback for our public schools. But we can't get complacent.

In ways big and small, our resistance to her agenda can make a better tomorrow for kids everywhere.

Photo via iStock.

<br>

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socialviralnews · 8 years

Text

Betsy DeVos is our education secretary. Here's what to do next.

<br>

On Feb. 7, 2017, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as America's next education secretary.

Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

Admittedly, it was not a good day for many public school advocates. But now more than ever, American kids and schools need our help.

Here are 20 ways you can turn your anxiety over the future of public education into real action:

1. First and foremost, don't feel hopeless.

2. Help fund a project that will make a difference on Donors Choose.

Photo via iStock.

3. If you can, get involved in the National Education Association.

4. Come midterm elections, don't forget which senators voted for DeVos — many of whom received campaign donations from her family:

5. Think local.

Start volunteering with organizations that work in or with public schools now. Ask them what they need.

— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) February 7, 2017

6. Donate to No Kid Hungry.

The nonprofit helps feed American schoolchildren so they can stay full and focused in the classroom. One $10 gift can provide up to 100 meals to a kid who could use it.

7. Support after-school arts programs.

8. Share this video of Sen. Al Franken questioning DeVos' support of anti-LGBTQ causes — and hold her accountable to do better.

Posted by U.S. Senator Al Franken on Tuesday, January 17, 2017

9. Support your local libraries.

Libraries are great resources for our kids to learn outside the classroom (and they have so much more to offer than books). Get your library card, visit frequently, volunteer, and spread the word.

Speaking of libraries...

10. Create a Little Free Library in your own neighborhood.

Build a little library in your yard, stock it with some books, and let your neighbors enjoy. Ideally, it'll turn into a take-a-book, give-a-book situation.

Learn more about how to pull it off.

Canoe Libraries are becoming a thing. And it's amazing. #LittleFreeLibrary http://pic.twitter.com/u6lHAApe1N

— Little Free Library® (@LtlFreeLibrary) January 30, 2017

11. Fight for more affordable and free higher education at the ballot box.

12. Support the "nonpublic" schools in your area.

13. Support the Kids in Need Foundation.

Photo via iStock.

14. Don't forget that Open eBooks is a thing, and it's spectacular.

Former President Obama's ConnectED initiative helped get more than $250 million worth of fantastic children's e-books online, available to any young person who wants to dive into a good read.

Because not every kid gets that chance.

15. Donate to First Book.

This nonprofit provides new books and other learning materials to kids and families in need. Since it was founded in 1992, the group has given away 160 million books and education resources.

16. Help tackle crime, nutrition, and education ... with veggies.

17. Help make lunchtime a little more stress-free.

A cool thing you can do today is try to find out which of your local schools have kids with overdue lunch accounts and pay them off.

— Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) December 6, 2016

18. Support Publicolor.

19. Stand up for immigrant students by supporting United We Dream.

The group had already been rallying educators to stand up to Trump's agenda. Now, with DeVos' nomination, its Educators Toolkit may be even more necessary.

20. Take matters into your own hands and run for a position on your local school board.

Now more than ever: RUN FOR YOUR SCHOOL BOARD https://t.co/8CBCKDpl3E

— Shannon Hale (@haleshannon) February 7, 2017

All politics are local, right? Run for school board in your community and make a difference.

Let's not sugarcoat it: DeVos' nomination is a major setback for our public schools. But we can't get complacent.

In ways big and small, our resistance to her agenda can make a better tomorrow for kids everywhere.

Photo via iStock.

<br> from Upworthy http://ift.tt/2kQsNcC via cheap web hosting

#Upworthy

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