Rolando Park Parents Rally to Save Beloved Teacher's Job

In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, parents at Rolando Park Elementary School in San Diego have launched a remarkable fundraising campaign to prevent the loss of a beloved second-grade teacher. Faced with a dip in enrollment numbers, the school district had planned to reassign the teacher, but the parents refused to let that happen without a fight.

Rallying to Retain a Cherished Educator

Enrollment Fluctuations and Staffing Challenges

Rolando Park Elementary, a high-performing school with a diverse student population, has long been a beacon of academic excellence in the San Diego community. However, like many schools, it has faced the challenge of fluctuating enrollment numbers, particularly due to the transient nature of the local military and refugee communities. This ebb and flow in student numbers has put a strain on the school's staffing, leading to the potential loss of a beloved second-grade teacher.

The news of the impending teacher reassignment was met with dismay by parents like Claire Carrasquillo and Aracely Aceves, who have children enrolled at the school. "It's supposed to happen by the end of the week, so it's really down to the wire," Carrasquillo expressed, her voice tinged with concern. Aceves, whose daughter is a student at the school, echoed the sentiment, saying, "Six weeks in, because we're 14 kids short, unfortunately, we now have to lose a teacher."

A Cherished Educator and a Diverse Student Body

The teacher in question is a first-year second-grade educator who has already made a profound impact on her students. "She's built an amazing class community, a wonderful teacher. She's also a woman of color. I think our students can see themselves in her, and we want to keep her here," Carrasquillo explained, highlighting the importance of representation and the positive role model the teacher provides for the predominantly minority and economically disadvantaged student population.

The parents recognize the value of maintaining a stable and nurturing environment for their children, especially given the challenges many of them face at home. "Our students already face so many challenges at home. We really want to keep a stable, nurturing environment this school year," Carrasquillo emphasized, underscoring the crucial role the teacher plays in providing a supportive and consistent learning experience.

A Community-Driven Fundraising Campaign

Determined to keep their beloved teacher, the parents sprang into action, launching a multifaceted campaign to raise the necessary funds to retain her position. "They started calling, emailing, and calling. They were very active in contacting the school district," Aceves recounted, describing the parents' relentless efforts to make their voices heard.

In addition to reaching out to the school district, the parents also took to the streets, passing out flyers and starting a petition drive. But their most innovative move was the creation of a unique GoFundMe campaign, aimed at raising the funds needed to cover the teacher's salary and keep her in the classroom.

"We're stakeholders in our kids' education, and we're ready to put some skin in the game," Aceves declared, reflecting the parents' unwavering commitment to their children's education and their willingness to go the extra mile to ensure their success.

A Promising Outcome and a Lesson in Community Empowerment

The parents' tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. San Diego Unified officials have agreed to meet with the parent group to address their concerns, and the fundraising campaign has garnered an overwhelming response from the community.

"With this campaign, we want to show them our entire community believes in our kids, and want to keep a stable environment to maintain the success for the entire year," Carrasquillo said, expressing the parents' hope that their collective action will not only save the teacher's job but also send a powerful message about the importance of community involvement in education.

As the campaign continues, the parents remain cautiously optimistic, aware that the fundraising goal of over $100,000 is a significant challenge. However, they are determined to do whatever it takes to keep their beloved teacher in the classroom, ensuring that their children continue to thrive in a nurturing and supportive environment.