Hundreds of Tacoma teachers, parents and kids are rallying at the school district's downtown headquarters this morning.
They're carrying signs with message like, "School Board collaborate and listen," and "We support our Tacoma teachers." One group chanted "93 percent, 93 percent" as they marched around the building, referring to the results of Thursday's vote by members of the Tacoma Education Association to stay on strike.
A band of Tacoma music teachers and students is playing pep music, and a crowd of teenagers just marched past chanting, "We support our teachers."
"We would like to be with our kids. But we want a fair contract. In order to be with our kids, we need a fair contract," said longtime Jason Lee Middle School teacher Andy Sayer.
Parent Larry Laughlin, who has a son at Jason Lee Middle School and a daughter at Stanley Elementary School, said his kids miss being in the classroom.
But "the teachers are great. They're fantastic. We support them," he said.
"I know they're out here because they care about us," said his son, Dale, 12, a Jason Lee seventh-grader.
Courtney Dennis, 19, a 2010 Foss High School graduate, stood on a corner holding a sign that read, "Product of Tacoma teachers (future RN)."
"They're always supporting us. We'll stand at their backs and let them know we support them," she said.
Her parents, John and Paula Dennis, also waved signs.
"(Teachers) have been awesome to all my kids. There's no other way to put it," Paula Dennis said.
Teachers say they're feeling re-energized by support from the community on the fourth day of the strike.
"I'm overwhelmed," said First Creek Middle School teacher Marie Martindale. "When we came out of the Tacoma Dome yesterday (after voting to continue the strike), it made me cry. There were so many parents and students. It was very emotional."
Other district employees also were in the crowd. Rhonda Stinson, a para-educator in Martindale's classroom, said she came to support her colleague.
"We've worked together 14 years," Stinson said. "I had to come stand by her side."
Picket captains at the district office are spreading the word that another rally is planned at 11:30 a.m. at Wright Park. No word yet on what it will involve.
There's no sign of counter-protesters, although one man on a bicycle yelled at those marching to, "Go back to work."
Lots of drivers are honking as they go past. Some neighbors on South Yakima Avenue, behind the district office, apparently complained. At least one teacher is stationed on that street holding a sign asking drivers not to honk.
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