In a powerful display of solidarity and activism, students at Roosevelt International Middle School organized to support teachers at their site facing layoffs. These young advocates mobilized their community by coordinating and leading a lively march from their school to the SDEA rally at the San Diego Unified School District’s board meeting on March 26th. They created a powerful presence by leading chants and waving eye-catching picket signs.
Organizing is a key component for students at Roosevelt International Middle School. Through their International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, students develop community projects in which they explore their right and responsibility to participate in service as action in the community.
English teacher Leah Lavelle, who guides her students through these projects, speaks to their passion and drive. “These kids know how to organize and they care deeply about what is going on in the world.” Once students became aware of the impending layoffs affecting two of their beloved teachers, they sprang into action.
Students immediately began raising awareness around the district’s failure to prioritize educators in the budget. Under the leadership of students like Samuel Pardo Improta, Ivan Reyes, and Sophia Baksh Soldano, the call to support their teachers and educators across the district spread quickly.
“Thanks to Ms. Lavelle, and our site representative Katie O’Malley, the student’s anger was able to be channeled into something productive,” reflects Luis Salas, a math teacher at Roosevelt directly impacted by the layoffs. Students started creating petitions, raising awareness on social media, making posters, and organizing the one-mile march from Roosevelt to the district board meeting.
One key student leader, Samuel, delivered an impassioned speech at the rally, criticizing the flawed decision-making of the school board. Samuel, also a member of the Chavista Cesar Chavez Service Club, used his connections to hold Board Trustee Richard Barrera accountable and seized opportunities like the school’s renovation groundbreaking ceremony to engage superintendent Lamont Jackson.
Student activist Ivan initially aimed to alleviate teacher stress but expanded his efforts to rally the community against layoffs, recognizing the ongoing lack of dignity and respect educators face. Sophia, a natural leader on campus, leveraged her ASB connections and leadership skills to involve more students and families, ensuring a strong turnout and unified front.
The students’ march stretched for blocks, gathering supportive community members along the way. Their arrival to the district office lawn was spectacular as they chanted loudly for the preservation of their teachers’ jobs and the stability of their schools. Their message was clear: the community stands united in support of their teachers, and they will continue to advocate for their rights and dignity.
SDEA members are more than just educators; they are mentors, confidantes, and pillars of the community. The degrading experience of receiving a layoff notice threatens not only professional lives but also personal well-being and stability. The response from the students at Roosevelt Middle School has been nothing short of inspiring. Samuel’s advocacy, Ivan’s dedication, Sophia’s leadership, and the extraordinary turnout of students, families, and community members demonstrated a profound understanding of the importance of standing up for our schools.
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