Public Mar Vista School’s ‘Walk-In’ Day Opposes Controversial Charter School Funding

Grand View Blvd. Elementary School (GVBE) joined 40 cities in a coordinated, nationwide “Walk-In” on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The Walk-In demonstration – in which teachers, students, parents, staff, and surrounding community members walk onto campus in a show of solidarity when the morning bell rings – was a means of peacefully opposing the Broad Plan. The controversial $490-million plan to more than double the number of charter schools in Los Angeles.

gvwi_101 The plan proposes to fund enough unregulated, non-union charter schools to threaten the future existence of many community public schools, according to a GVBE statement.

For GVBE, however, the literal “walking-in” aspect of the celebratory event was just the tip of the iceberg for what they had planned for the day. The school, which is known for having the first and longest running Spanish Immersion Program in LAUSD, organized host of multicultural festivities for Walk-In Day to demonstrate how much they love their school.

gvwi_08 2 At 7:30 am, teachers, students, parents, staff, and community members began with a rally on Venice Blvd. While holding signs that expressed their love for GVBE, participants marched to the front of the school entrance. Gospel music (“This Little Heart of Mine”) and protest songs played in the background as the following activities occurred:

• The El Grito cheer chanted in Spanish by the children and adults

• Short speeches by the principal, a student, a parent and a teacher

• The singing of two songs, one in Spanish and one in English

• The devoted crowd – wearing all red and pink – sang “Solidarity Forever” as they made their dramatic Walk-In onto campus when the bell rang

gvwi_106 2 “We are dedicated to our neighborhood public school and we want to keep it that way,” said Mr. Dastur, First Grade Teacher at GVBE’s Spanish Immersion Program. “The diversity, acceptance, creativity and feeling of community at our school is really unique. And we want that to be reflected in our Walk-In.”

gvwi_107 2 GVBE is a shining example of all that a public LAUSD school can offer: cultural diversity, spirited dedication of parents and staff, a reverence for learning, and a family-like feeling of community.

The school’s Spanish Immersion program is the only LAUSD one to offer a 90 percent Spanish/10 percent English model. Their Special Education Program is one of the most developed in all of LAUSD.

“Our Walk-In Day is more than just a political demonstration,” said Marina Marquez, parent at GVBE. “It’s one more excuse for us to celebrate our school, which has so much character, charm and diversity in so many ways.”