By Lindsay Larin
Bellevue Reporter
Students from high schools across Bellevue came out to show their support for Bellevue teachers Tuesday, as the districtwide strike continues. Monday night, teachers voted by a 75 percent majority to continue the strike until an agreement is met on the issues of salary, health care benefits and the Web-based curriculum. The district’s salary offer of 4.5 increase over a three-year contract was vehemently rejected.
Nearly 80 students gathered at Bellevue Downtown Park for the outdoor rally followed by a march, joining the teachers on the picket lines around the city. Taylor Moe, a Senior at Bellevue High School, said the rally was their way of sending a big message to the district that the students are behind the teachers and that they plan to stick with them.
“As the weeks go on, we will begin to lose parent support for the strike. It’s been going on a long time now and people are starting to get sick of not having their kids in school,” Moe explained, adding, “So if anyone knows of parents with young kids, it would great if you could offer support and babysit if you can.”
Several students stood atop picnic tables, addressing the crowd in an effort to raise morale. The students expressed their opinions about the strike and led a question and answer session.
Sophomore Kyle Tong spun music as he deejayed the event, helping raise the energy level of the crowd. Students set up a collection box for local food banks to support families in the community who depend on school lunches. The collection box will be circling around several locations this week, including a student rally at the Education Service Center on Friday. Food donations can be made all week long at Sammamish High School.
“We have the greatest teachers and we support them one hundred percent no matter what, even if it means that we have to wait awhile to get back in school,” Erika Congdon, a senior at Bellevue High School declared in front of a crowd of students.
“We care. We support. And we’ll be there to show them that they’re not alone,” she chanted, holding a picket sign that read, “This civic lesson is better is than any on the Curriculum Web!”
Not all students at the rally were pro-strike. Several seniors at various high schools expressed concern about missing school days, getting behind on the college admission process, playing catch-up, AP tests and more.
Newport High School seniors Sarah Edmond and Scott Carlisle have waited four years to become leaders in band for their high school and are discouraged with each day that goes by.
“We all just want to be back in school,” Edmond said. “It’s not that we don’t support the teachers, but there has to be a way for teachers to be in the classrooms and still negotiating. Everyone just wants to be back in school.”
Bellevue Education Association President Michele Miller spoke a few encouraging words to the students, praising them as emerging leaders for their generation.
“We need to do in the classroom what’s best for you, 180 days that you are there, and that’s going to depend on the needs, the ideas and desires of the students. We’re there to build the education and the learning around you,” Miller said.
On Friday, Sept. 12, Bellevue student’s plan to meet at the district headquarters at 11:30 a.m for another rally.
“It’s important for us as students to really support our teachers,” Peter Pham said, a Senior at Sammamish High School. “Even if it’s not in a big rally, just go to your individual schools and let teachers know they have our support.”
More Information: Bellevue School District, www.bsd405.org
Bellevue Education Association, http://www.bellevueea.org/
Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@reporternewspapers.com or at 425-453-4602.
