'I can't care about all of them'

This is our second installment in an occasional series of letters from San Diego students and parents collected by San Diego City College instructor and marcher Jim Miller.

FILIPE CALIXTO, Student at San Diego City College

My name is Filipe Calixto and I am just another example of someone who had his life changed due to the budget cut for schools and public institutions. I was born and raised in Brazil. I moved to California seven years ago and I consider it my home. It took me a while to acquire citizenship but today I enjoy and have the same rights as any other ordinary American citizen. I went to college in my country but for unknown reasons I can’t work using my degree here. Facing this situation, I decided to go back to school and start everything over again. Unfortunately, my options for institutions are very restricted and I see myself able to join only one institution, San Diego State University. … Moving away from San Diego is not an option for me. My life and family is here now. Due to the pressure of getting a spot at SDSU I had my life drastically changed. I quit one of my jobs in order to have more “free” time to study and had my income cut in half. This action does not guarantee me a safe place at that institution; instead it just gives me better chances. Overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do for school and the hectic life at my job I manage to get good grades. For how long? I don’t know. My classes are getting harder and harder. The uncertainty of my future here really troubles me and affects my life in every possible field.

CHRIS FELTY, Student at San Diego City College

I came to California because of the great education system this state was supposed to have. It was available to anyone that wanted to work and was incredibly cheap and affordable, something not every state could do. My goal was to become a teacher and stay in California; I wanted to teach literature to students who would really appreciate it. With the budget cuts, however, I do not believe I will be able to stay in this state much longer. Without the ability to finish my education on time I wont be able to afford to stay in school. Then there is the fact that even when O do finish, finding work will be next to impossible. I would rather leave this state and take my chances somewhere else. I really do not want to leave California, but if the education system continues to be neglected what other choice do I have? This is how the budget cuts have affected me.

Anonymous parent of San Diego Unified School District Student

My son E attends a smaller, not affluent high school in San Diego Unified.
By "not affluent" I mean it is in a more blue collar neighborhood, and there is a lot of busing. It means little parent money flows into the school. When E was a sophomore, he attended school every day, all day. At the second progress report he had 2 F's. He assured us he was on track and all would be fine. Next report card - 3 F's. Still haven't heard one word from any teacher or the school, even though we went to "back to school night" and gave phone and e-mail for both parents to all teachers. Next report card - 4 F's. I called his counselor. I asked her how a kid could be slipping instead of improving, to the point where he had 4 F's and no one contacted us. Her next line will stick with me forever:

"Ma'am, I am the counselor for 500 kids. 250 of them are failing. I CAN'T care about all of them."

She should be able to care. The teachers all should be able to care. Our kids and our families need them to be able to care. And yes, maybe they should be able to also address the systemic issues in place where 250 of 500 kids are failing.