Manual Arts Community,

As a B-Track teacher I feel both confused and anxious about what’s taking place today. Through the online social networks I belong to, I’m already aware of at least one teacher that’s gotten a pink slip today. I can only assume that this person is not the only one getting such a slip today.

I hear and read rumblings of student walkouts throughout the city and demonstrations at various school sites but don’t get a clear picture of what our school’s teachers, administration, or community are doing about these possible cuts in our staff.

While I hope there is more communication on campus, I am feeling frustrated about the lack of information being disseminated to the entire community. I realize that “official” information may be limited at this point, but I don’t see that as any reason why we cannot, as a community, organize to protect the best assets that Manual Arts has in preparing our students for the future.

I’ll admit that having a face to associate with Pink Friday is helping fuel my anger. While I may have been aloof about the implications of what these cuts may mean, I can’t imagine I was the only one in this position. It would be really helpful for our community to know who has received these slips for us to help rally behind and support these individuals and the welfare of our students. I am encouraging all of us to come forward as we are notified of the pink slips we receive throughout the day. Our union, at one point, discussed wearing buttons – it would be incredibly powerful if buttons, posters, and informational handouts had faces and names for our parents and students to associate with the cuts. Though this may be an uncomfortable proposition for our newer teachers to be recognized, this is not a time for us to hide behind newbie propriety.

I don’t feel like I am being informed properly about what our school or our union is doing while I am on “vacation.” I feel frustrated that I was not informed by my school about the UTLA demonstrations at Beaudry last Tuesday and I am asking for help and support from our union, our administration, and our community at large. I continue to learn from our veteran teachers about the many struggles and strategies they have gone through in the past and look forward to these individuals continuing to support our efforts with their expertise.

Again, I am asking for support and information about how all of us can be of use in this communal struggle on a daily basis. I apologize not for the bitter tone of this email but for the fact that I’ve been so benighted about the way these cuts will affect our school.

Thank you for your time and your understanding.

 In solidarity with all of you receiving a pink slip today,

Antero Garcia