Lakers for Love

02/21/2026

Holy cow. When this community shows up, it shows up big! 💙💛 Today was incredible.

Because of all of you, we collected four carloads of food and supplies and raised more than $1,900 in donations today alone, with even more given since this drive began, all to support local families facing urgent needs.

Thank you to every single person who showed up, donated, shared, and helped make today possible. Your generosity is already making a real difference.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped organize and run the event, and an extra special thank you to The Savage Tap for being such a welcoming and generous host. We are so grateful for your partnership and support.

My heart is happy and my cup is full of food and supplies. This is what community looks like. 💙💛

02/04/2026

Our community is stepping up for Prior Lake and Savage area families who are facing sudden financial hardship as ICE activity has increased in our area.

Lakers for Love has launched an Emergency Support Fund to provide direct cash assistance for things like rent, utilities, gas, and other essential needs, helping families stay housed and stable.

We’re working alongside local partners to help fill remaining gaps, making sure support goes where it’s needed most. Every dollar stays right here in our community and goes directly to families who need it.

You can scan the QR code in the graphic to donate, or use the link in the comments. 💙💛

Please consider donating or sharing to help spread the word.

10/18/2025

Come see us at the Savage Halloween Bash! 🎃🎉 We’re near the back, next to the Dustin Smith for PLSAS School Board with his crayons! 🖍️❤️🎉

09/11/2025

2025 Lakers for Love Prior Lake-Savage School Board Candidate Forum recording is live!

The purpose of this forum is to give our community the opportunity to hear where candidates stand on issues that matter most to students, families, and staff. We asked a series of questions that reflect both the district’s strategic plan and the concerns we’ve heard from families across the community.

This year, there are two candidates running for the school board special election. We invited both to participate in this forum. Dustin Smith responded to our request and we were grateful to have a chance to hear from him. The other candidate did not respond to our request.

Reminder to all that the special election to fill the school board vacancy is on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Early in-person voting begins on September 19, 2025 at Prior Lake City Hall. On Election Day (Nov. 4), Savage residents vote at McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center in Savage Community Park. Residents in Sand Creek and Cedar Lake Townships vote at Spring Lake Township Hall. Prior Lake, Credit River, Spring Lake Township vote at their regular polling place. (https://www.plsas.org/about-us/school-board/election-information)

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/25/2025

We had so much fun Chalking the Walk at Bridges ALC to welcome back our teachers and students that we kept the good vibes rolling all the way to Twin Oaks and Hidden Oaks Middle Schools too! 💙💛✏️📚

The sidewalks are now covered in messages of encouragement, school spirit, and Lakers love to remind our staff and students that they belong and are celebrated.

Huge thanks to everyone who came out to spread kindness with us – it’s amazing what a little chalk and a lot of heart can do. Here’s to a bright, inclusive start to the school year for all our Lakers! 🌟

08/12/2025

What radicalised you?

Well, Mr Rogers taught me to
love myself.

Sesame Street Taught me to
look out for my neighbors.

Reading rainbow taught me all
about a love for books.

And then I just ran with it, really

08/11/2025

While it’s important to stay informed and involved, it’s also important to balance your wellbeing. Check out these tips below for some ways to take care of your digital wellness.

08/09/2025

08/01/2025

💜 Wrapping Up Disability Pride Month: Featuring See Me Neurodiverse

So… we meant to keep posting all month.
And then we blinked, ADHD did its thing, and suddenly it was August. 😬 But hey, if there’s anything Disability Pride should embrace, it’s real life, executive dysfunction and all. 😂

Still, the spirit of Disability Pride isn’t limited to July. It’s a year-round commitment to visibility, inclusion, and equity. And that’s why we want to end this month by highlighting a local nonprofit doing exactly that:

🎉 See Me Neurodiverse: Unlocking Resources for the Neurodiverse

Founded by two Minnesota moms navigating the challenges of raising neurodivergent children, See Me was born from lived experience - from struggle, exhaustion, and the constant hunt for support. What started as a personal journey has become a lifeline for other families, with a mission to break down barriers, build connections, and make neurodiversity visible and valued.

Their work includes:
💛 Peer support meetings for parents and caregivers
💙 1-on-1 help navigating evaluations, school supports, and services
💛 Sensory-friendly events and accessible community programming
💙 Advocacy, education, and reducing stigma through connection

And there’s something big coming up…

⸻

📅 Save the Date: See Me Neurodiverse Community Fest

🗓️ September 7, 2025
📍 Lakefront Park, Prior Lake
🕒 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🎪 A celebration of neurodiversity with fun, resources, and community

RSVP and learn more: seemeneurodiverse.org

⸻

Disability Pride isn’t just about rights. It’s about recognizing brilliance in the ways people think, move, speak, and experience the world. Organizations like See Me are helping build the kind of inclusive community we all deserve.

Let’s keep the work going - loud, proud, and together.

See Me Neurodiverse is dedicated to providing support and resources for neurodiverse (Autism, ADHD) families, creating a more inclusive environment for everyone.

07/14/2025

I think this one speaks for itself.

Em 🌈

07/10/2025

🔁 Let’s Recap: Disability Pride Is…

This month, we’ve talked about:

💙 The social model of disability
💛 What real inclusion looks like
💙 Accommodations vs. “advantages”
💛 Accessible playgrounds and universal design
💙 How policies shape belonging
💛 And we shared the powerful letter from 73 retired educators urging the school board to reinstate the Equity & Inclusion Resolution.

We’ve also lifted up statements from:
• ✍️ All seven elementary principals
• 🏫 The middle school admin team
• 🎓 The high school admin team
• 🍎 The PLSEA teachers union

All within the last few weeks.
All calling for one thing: equity.

Because equity isn’t optional - and declaring it out loud matters.

Disability Pride means we stop asking disabled people to shrink -
and start asking systems to grow.

And yes - we will keep saying equity.
Because declaring equity isn’t divisive - it’s necessary.
It’s how we name injustice.
It’s how we build better systems.
It’s how we make sure every student belongs.

More to come. For now?
Let’s rest, reset, and keep showing up.

07/09/2025

🛠️ Accommodations Are Not Advantages
You’ve probably heard it before — sometimes even from people in leadership:

“It’s not fair to give one student extra help.”
“Shouldn’t we treat everyone the same?”
“We don’t want to give anyone an advantage.”

Let’s talk about that.

Accommodations aren’t perks. They’re not about “special treatment.”
They’re about giving every student what they need to access the same opportunity to learn, thrive, and belong.

💙 Providing extra time on a test doesn’t give a student an advantage — it gives them access.
💛 Offering a quiet space or sensory break doesn’t lower the bar — it removes a barrier.
💙 Captioning a video or using a screen reader doesn’t make things easier — it makes things possible.
💛 Allowing movement breaks isn’t a distraction — it’s a support that helps students regulate and refocus.
💙 Modifying assignments or grading criteria doesn’t mean a student is learning less — it means we’re meeting them where they are so they can still grow.

If a building doesn’t have a ramp, the problem isn’t the wheelchair — it’s the stairs.
If a school system doesn’t support disabled or neurodivergent learners, the issue isn’t the student — it’s the system.

Fairness isn’t everyone getting the same thing.
Fairness is everyone getting what they need.

As Dr. Thomas has said,
"Equity in education is giving every learner what they uniquely need to succeed."

That’s not an advantage — that’s just good teaching.
And it’s the kind of school culture every student deserves.