Tracking parents, students on first day of Pueblo schools strike

On the first day of a teacher strike in Pueblo School District 60, how did parents and students cope with it?

Many found it smoother than expected, with free lunches, a day camp and discounted child care available.

By the time lunch was served at Belmont Elementary School, it had already been a long day for Stephanie Sotello, who has four children attending school in the district.

“We’re just trying to get them out of the house and keep them busy,” she said. “We went walking on the track. We came to play at the playground so that they can keep active — you know, have something to do during the day.”
District 60 said 220 lunches were served at seven locations Monday.

Many students, including the Sotellos, stayed with their parents or relatives and didn’t need the discounted child care available at First Presbyterian Church.

“We had only one child show up,” said a church staff member. “I expected more. We’ll have to re-evaluate whether we offer it Tuesday.”

The Boys and Girls Club took in an unspecified number of children whose parents are already members.

“We couldn’t take any more kids because of limited space,” said spokeswomen Angela Giron. “We’ll evaluate that every day and see if we can let more kids in.”

More popular options for families were a Boy Scout day camp at Mineral Palace Park, which attracted as many as 50 children, and the Pueblo Zoo, which saw a significant jump in attendance.

“We organized the camp on Friday when we heard there would be a strike,” a Boy Scout leader said. “But it’s only for Monday and Tuesday.”

Some parents brought their children with them to join striking teachers on the picket lines.

“When the teacher protests were happening in Denver, we were there as well, for the entire day, and walked with them,” said Tawni Trujillo. “They got to see how big of a deal it really is. It’s important. It’s not playtime.”

But Hazel Taylor, a student marching with her mother, said the strike shouldn’t be all work for children.

“I’m going to play with my brother and actually do some schoolwork, because you have to have a mix of both in your life,” she said. “It’s important.”

Many found the strike hard to believe.

“I woke up at 7, thinking I was going to school,” said Elijah Martinez, a student. “It was really weird, too. I was thinking about getting dressed, but my mom tells me there’s no school. To keep myself occupied, I’ll mostly just hang out and stuff.”

The strike brought grandmother Terri Vallega to tears.

“Do I understand their need to go on strike? I do, but at the same time, it’s hurting the children and that’s what matters,” she said.

The strike, especially if it lasts for an extended period of time, could force parents to stay home with their children or to pay more for child care.

Family vacations and other activities could also possibly be affected by the strike.