Teachers and their supporters carry placards protesting budget cuts as they march on Seventh Street toward Heber Avenue in Calexico on Thursday. Protesters shouted slogans and blew whistles as they walked from Calexico High School to San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus. Calexico police patrol units escorted the protesters. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO) |
CALEXICO — Hundreds of people chanted, marched and waved signs in support of teachers and education during the “March for Education” on Thursday.
Supporters, most dressed symbolically in black, walked from Calexico High School to San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus.
Associated Calexico Teachers President Enrique Cervantes said the annual march was in support of education and held specifically on March 15, the deadline for schools to issue lay-off notices.
“We’re mourning for all the teachers who were notified they would not be here next year,” Calexico Unified teacher Judith Mazon said. “It’s mourning of education for students, because without qualified teachers they aren’t getting qualified education.”
During chants of “students come first,” some teachers pointed at students present while saying “That means you.”
Calexico High School sophomore Anafernanda Lizarraga said she wanted to participate in the march after her teacher informed her about it.
“I thought it’d be good to come support our teachers,” she said.
She went on to describe ripped textbooks, lack of paper supplies, large class sizes and a fear of electives being potentially cut, affecting future college applications.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
Supporters, most dressed symbolically in black, walked from Calexico High School to San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus.
Associated Calexico Teachers President Enrique Cervantes said the annual march was in support of education and held specifically on March 15, the deadline for schools to issue lay-off notices.
“We’re mourning for all the teachers who were notified they would not be here next year,” Calexico Unified teacher Judith Mazon said. “It’s mourning of education for students, because without qualified teachers they aren’t getting qualified education.”
During chants of “students come first,” some teachers pointed at students present while saying “That means you.”
Calexico High School sophomore Anafernanda Lizarraga said she wanted to participate in the march after her teacher informed her about it.
“I thought it’d be good to come support our teachers,” she said.
She went on to describe ripped textbooks, lack of paper supplies, large class sizes and a fear of electives being potentially cut, affecting future college applications.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
