By Haeeun Blessing Jee, Cleveland High School, Grade 10
April 25, 2011___
Due to LAUSD’s ever-growing problem of budget cuts, Reduction In Force (RIF) notices, also known commonly as “pink slips,” were passed out to 19 teachers at Cleveland High School. These RIF notices indicate that the teacher has a high chance of losing their job for the next school year.
In order to protest these harsh cuts and the fates of these teachers, Cleveland student leaders from the Be the Conscious Change Club organized a day of rallying, student performances, and protesting on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
Co-president of the club, junior Marilyen Lopez said, “The purpose is to create an understanding amongst the student body that this is a concern that shouldn’t be taken lightly, we want to prove that Cleveland isn’t just a school, but one huge family.”
There were two rallies: one during lunch and afterschool, which had a longer agenda. At these rallies, students, administrators, and teachers alike unified to take a stand. Students performed acts such as singing, spoken word, dancing, and giving speeches in the quad, the large grassy field where student activities take place.
In front of the quad’s stage were 19 chairs. These chairs were labeled with the names of the teachers who received pink slips, including the subject they teach. Afterschool, there were press coverage by a few major media outlets.
The unity shown between the students, teachers, and the administrators were unparalleled. The Urban Arts Club (UAC) showed off their breakdancing skills while students of Jolene Kuebler, the Drill Team Coach and one of the teachers that received a pink slip, performed traditional Middle Eastern dances to show their appreciation for their coach. Other talented students performed inspiring and meaningful spoken words or sang songs to express their sadness and anger at how much the budget cuts have affected Cleveland High.
Participant Aanchal Chugh, a sophomore attending Cleveland reflected, “The rally accomplished informing students around campus about the budget cuts and allowed students to realize that they’re going to affect all of us in some way, individually. It also allowed us to stand up together and show that we, as students, genuinely care about our education.”
Cleveland High is notorious for having an activism spirit. Last year, there was another demonstration called the “May 28th Walk-in” to protest the budget cuts that were enforced last year. The day chosen was important as May 28, 2010 marked the first furlough day LAUSD schools ever held. Instead of staying at home, many Cleveland students chose to come to school to protest.
Cleveland students challenge their authorities to do their jobs correctly. Lopez said, “We’re hoping the district sees that we mean business and that these cuts will NOT be taken lightly. We all have the right to an education, and we’re not going to let it be taken from us.”
Chugh affirmed with the spirit of a Cleveland Cavalier, “LAUSD needs to hear that education is not a privilege, but a right that can’t be taken away. We all deserve the education that we need.”
