Cam mom upset by teachers' silent protest

This letter is in response to Suzann Zeigler's Dec. 7 letter, "Union head asks parents to get involved."

I want to begin by saying that I come from a family with four generations of public school teachers. My great-grandfather, grandmother, mother, aunt, godmother and father-in-law all were California teachers. My husband and I met when we were in school earning our secondary teaching credentials. I could not be more sympathetic to the fact that teachers in California are grievously underpaid. I have read your website and am horrified by the gap in benefits offered to Pleasant Valley School District teachers in comparison to other districts.

That being said, I am also a parent who raises money for fundraisers, makes copies, laminates, cuts out 500 teddy bears, buys books and supplies for the classroom and generally tries to support my teacher and school to the very best of my ability.

Imagine my dismay this morning when I questioned my son's teacher about why she was no longer sending home her weekly newsletter. She said that the teachers had been asked to show solidarity and cease communications with parents to call attention to the ongoing salary dispute.

I have to admit that as a mother and former educator, I am angry. I do not understand how withholding information about what is happening in my son's classroom will benefit teachers in their salary negotiations.

I do understand how it will hurt children who have parents that cannot volunteer in the classroom. Those parents might like to know what words are being taught, what book is being read or what math concepts are being introduced. It is egregious to penalize working parents for being unable to participate at school during the daytime.

I know that my teacher is not paid to produce a newsletter. I also know that part of the California Standards for teacher competency evaluates teachers on their ability to communicate with parents. This negotiation strategy is not in the best interest of the children and impinges on the professional reputation of our teachers.

I regret to say that the Pleasant Valley Education Association lost some solidarity with me today. Perhaps if you want to encourage the support of Camarillo parents at the Dec. 13 school board meeting and in the media, you will reconsider this method.

Gretchen Larson
Camarillo