PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The school district handed them lemons, so a group of second-grade students decided to make lemonade - literally.
The Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School students set up a lemonade stand in Sellwood on Tuesday.
They explained to their thirsty customers that the money will go toward preserving their teachers' jobs.
"A lemonade stand in the big picture is probably not going to solve the problem, but for them that's not the point," said Rebekah Clark, the mother of one student. "The point for them is they're trying, and they have big hearts, and they love their school."
Clark explained the children came up with the idea on their own, after being saddened by budget cuts facing their schools.
"It's really important to save our arts and our dance and our drama music," said Buckman Arts student Taylor Dundon.
Portland Public Schools faced a $27.5 million budget shortfall this year. A last-minute deal with the teachers union and the city of Portland saved 110 teaching positions and preserved the full school year, but other cuts will still be made to meet the gap. Those cuts include the closure of two schools, eliminating some positions and furlough days for district office staff.
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