How to protest teacher layoffs

The Daily News reports today that Public Advocate Bill de Blasio launched a "Save our Teachers" website designed to help parents, and concerned citizens, take action against the mayor's proposed budget cuts, which would cause the loss of 6,000 teaching jobs, including more than 4,600 teacher layoffs.

The site lists eight actions parents can take to protest the cuts:

• sign a petition
• email the Department of Education
• submit a testimonial about your teacher
• urge your district or citywide education council to adopt a resolution against the cuts
• join in the planning of a May 26 citywide day of action,
• write a letter to the editor to a city or community newspaper
• Start a Facebook group supporting teachers
• Follow the Public Advocate's efforts on Twitter

What else can you do? Join in a rally and march on City Hall tomorrow, May 12 , beginning at 4 p.m.  Check out this Facebook page, visit  ONMAY12.org or call 212- 701-9464 for more information.

And, remember, the City Council must approve the mayor's budget. The education and finance committees will be holding  joint budget hearings on May 17,  June 1, and will be accepting public testimony on June 6.  Can't go to a hearing? E-mail City Council Speaker Christine Quinn

at speakerquinn@council.nyc.ny.us and let her know if you are opposed to budget cuts affecting the city's schools.