Educators Organize Events Statewide to Support Schools, Protest Governor's Broken Promises

Here is a sampling of May 11 events organized by teachers around the state:

30-mile El Camino Picket: Hundreds of teachers picketing the governor's education policies will be out on various corners after school along a 30-mile stretch of El Camino Real, starting in South San Francisco and ending in Palo Alto. Media can find teachers at intersections including El Camino and Westborough Boulevard (in South San Francisco), Millbrae Avenue (Burlingame), Hillsdale Boulevard (San Mateo), James Avenue (Redwood City). Call Dale Martin: 650-552-5491.

Santa Clara County: Teachers from two dozen Silicon Valley districts in the county are picketing before school on campuses, and doing 4 p.m. picketing against governor at five shopping malls: Valley Fair, Oakridge, Westgate, Great Mall, Stanford mall. Call Mike Myslinski: 408-921-5769.

San Francisco: United Educators of San Francisco members are picketing from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at corner of Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street to educate the public about their contract fight and the governor's attacks. Contact UESF President Dennis Kelly: 415-956-8373.

Santa Rosa: CTA Vice President David A. Sanchez will speak against governor's agenda on education funding and Proposition 98 attacks at a large protest rally, 3:30-5 p.m., at Santa Rosa Courthouse Square. Other speakers include CTA Board member Larry Allen, local teacher leaders and Sonoma County Schools Superintendent Carl Wong. Teacher picnic follows, 5-7 p.m., Julliard Park. Contact Helen O'Donnell: 707-544-1075.

Monterey: Local education coalition teachers, parents, school board members will be attending 4-5:30 p.m. community rally for public school funding at Window on the Bay Park, across from Lake El Estero. Contact Jim Gutman: 831-783-3200.

Salinas: "Save Our Schools" rally at Central Park, corner of Central and Homestead, across from Hartnell College, at 3:45 p.m. Teachers, parents, administrators to speak. Contact Susan Midori Jones: 831-783-3200.

Fremont: To let the governor know teachers are united and won't back down, educators from Fremont, Newark and Union City will create a human "Chain for Education" along Mowry Avenue in Fremont, from Cherry to Blacow. Event is 3:45-5 p.m. Contact Marta Dragos: 510-791-8366.

Lancaster: On May 13, "Run on Runner Rally." Teachers from 14 school districts in Antelope Valley will rally at 4 p.m. at the local CTA office, 1027 W. Lancaster Blvd. in Los Angeles County. They will march to nearby office of Senator George Runner. Speakers will include teachers, superintendents and school board members. Contact Paul Scott or David Aponik: 661-948-6035.

Paramount: A May 11 Day of the Teacher Fiesta and rally from 3:30-6 p.m.at Progress Park in Paramount, Los Angeles County. Call Robin DeVitt: 562-924-9311.

Fresno: Hundreds of teachers will attend a reception hosted by Fresno Teachers Association from 4-6 p.m. at Masonic Lodge on 3444 East Shields Ave., and then converge on a political fund-raiser by the governor at 6435 North Van Ness Blvd., Fresno. Contact Gary Alford: 559-224-8430.

Bakersfield: Kern County Education Coalition celebration of teachers and rally against governor's agenda, 4-7 p.m., Yokuts Park off Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield. Contact Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association President Carol Reichert: 661-327-4567.

Yuba City: CTA President Barbara E. Kerr will be attending a 5:30 p.m. awards dinner honoring teachers in the CTA Feather River Service Center Council at The Refuge restaurant, 1501 Buttehouse. Call Mike Myslinski: 650-552-5324.

Sacramento: A 4-6:30 p.m. event with parents, local school superintendents, jazz music and refreshments celebrating local educators – including announcement of local teachers of the year – will be held on the west steps of the State Capitol. Teachers hosting the event are from the Elk Grove Education Association, Sacramento City Teachers Association and San Juan Teachers Association. Contact San Juan President Nancy Waltz: 916-487-7582.

Davis: 3:30-5 p.m. Teachers picketing along Covell Boulevard and other streets to support public education. Contact Davis Teachers Association President-elect Phyllis York: 916-723-2822.

Ukiah: 4:30 p.m. coalition rally for education at courthouse. Contact Sherry Sandoval, co-president of Ukiah Teachers Association: 707-463-5236, ext. 126.

Palm Springs: Teachers will wear red "Save Proposition 98" T-shirts and do picketing before and after school hours at intersections near school campuses. Contact Allen Tarzwell: 760-333-3899.

Riverside County: Moreno Valley Education Association members will be handing out "Why Are Teachers Angry?" flyers to parents before and after school, wearing "Students: Our Special Interest" buttons. Contact Ann Adler: 951-485-0545.

San Diego: San Diego Unified teachers will be honored at a 4-7 p.m. reception hosted by the San Diego Education Association at the Hilton By The Bay Hotel. Teachers will be signing a large banner they are taking to a huge May 25 rally against the governor in Los Angeles. Contact SDEA President Terry Pesta: 619-283-4411.

http://www.cta.org/News/2005/20050505_1.htm