As student protests over the firing of Culver City High School drama teacher Sheila Silver entered their second week, parents linked arms them this sunny, cold morning in a chorus line on the sidewalk at the front of campus before classes began.
And the adults brought fresh verbal ammunition, renewable energy of the human kind.
Like their children in Ms. Silver’s championship-winning Academy of Visual and Performing Arts program, they are saddened and frustrated that she has been dismissed.
To demonstrate their unity and commitment, student organizer Kevin Mitchell said that on Tuesday night before the School Board meeting, protestors will assemble in front of the high school at 6 o’clock and march in a body to Irving Place.
Jaws firmly set, parents seem as hopeful as their children they can convince the School Board to reverse itself.
Joining their children in the chant to “Save Our Silver,” these moms and dads formed a striking portrait as parades of honking cars lent a rally air to the morning.
The two-generation drive to rehire Ms. Silver — who has made a socko impact in just a year and a half at Culver High — is not the kind of traditional snarling protest that historians write about.
These demonstrators seek to prevail by taking a classy route to victory.
From the first breakout, organizers and followers have emphasized the importance of respect toward authorities whom they hope to persuade and toward all others. Leaders have been clear there is no room for threats, demands and fury, the tools commonly associated with protests.
Long-dead Emily Post would have been proud. Their conduct and polite tenor have been faultless.
Susan Levy
On one end of this morning’s protest line was a mom, Susan Levy.
“I am here to support the rehiring of Ms. Silver,” she said. “We do not want to see her go. She should not have been let go.”
How can upset parents and students get their way?
“By speaking out and going to the School Board meeting on Tuesday,” Ms. Levy said.
“We ask everyone who doesn’t want to see a good teacher fired for no reason to appear at the meeting.
“There has been lots of speculation over her firing. But we have not been given a real reason. There might be professional jealousy because she has been so good so fast.
“She has been told she shouldn’t have been so good this early in her job. Which is total nonsense. I would think when you are on probation, you do the best you can.”
David Wally
A little farther down the line was a dad, David Wally.
“My daughter is in the AVPA program, and we all are very upset that Ms. Silver has been let go. Students have chosen to let the administration and School Board know they are upset by this decision. We, as parents, are supporting our children.”
Mr. Wally plans to tell the School Board that “we don’t understand why this is happening. It doesn’t make any sense to us. It doesn’t make any sense to our children.
“Ms. Silver is an excellent teacher at a time when our education system is in crisis and it is difficult to find good teachers, let alone great teachers. She is a great teacher.
“For two years in a row, we have gone to the CETA awards (California Educational Theatre Assn.) and won the Best Ensemble award, the equivalent of the best high school group in the state. It’s the championship.
“More than winning awards, there is the sense of community the children have built together. Compassion, the incredible work ethic all of us have seen the children develop in the program. These values are reflected in the way they conduct themselves as people and the way they comport themselves in classrooms.
“A lot of parents say the AVPA has not saved their children’s lives but has given them a strong sense of direction. I have seen this in my daughter as well.
“This is devastating.”
What does Mr. Wally think about the chances of the Board revisiting and rehiring Ms. Silver?
“From what we understand, the Board vote was 3 to 2. We are a very divided country on so many issues where things come down to 3 to 2 or 5 to 4 decisions. All we can hope to do is strongly make our case.”
Michael Parsons
Shoulder to shoulder was Michael Parsons, father of two daughters in the AVPA program.
“They are very upset,” he said. “They don’t understand why their inspirational leader has been let go.”
What has Mr. Parsons told his daughters?
“I haven’t told them anything,” he said. “I have been listening. I am listening to what they have to say and to what the community is saying and to the lack of information we are getting from the administration.
“We don’t understand. That, basically, is why I am here. I am looking for answers.
“Why are we cutting the best of the best? Why aren’t we cutting the ones who are not performing? Why are we the ones always bearing the brunt in cutting the brightest and best we have to offer? It’s not what we want to show to our children.”
Mr. Parsons was asked if he would have a message for the School Board on Tuesday.
“We don’t understand. We need information about why they acted in such a fashion, I don’t think they are acting on our behalf.
“I think they are acting on behalf of someone else who is misinformed.
“There is a series of misinformation here.
“Clearly, if she performed so well and her students performed so well, what could possibly be the problem? Either there is something we don’t understand or they are misinformed.
“I don’t think the due process has been taken care of here.
“Look at the group of parents who are here. We don’t see any parents saying there is a problem. We are saying there is not a problem, and why are you acting in this fashion?”
