Fasting Ellerhorst Teacher, Students Demonstrate Over School Funding

Ellerhorst Elementary School fifth grade students are getting some real-world lesson and taking some hard knocks in the process. Their teacher, Frank Marrrero, is entered the 11th day of a fast on Thursday. The students are taking on their challenge: giving up sugar and strictly limiting screen-viewing, from TV to handheld games.

At the core of the lesson is the cause of education funding.

Marrero and the students gathered at the closed Pinole Valley fire station Thursday to bring attention to a perceived budget crunch on school resources.

While the teacher granted news media interviews, students held signs with messages such as, "We're Starving for Education" after class dismissal.

Marrero said he has been on a liquid diet since March 18. As , the students have written letters to elected officials, such as Presidnt Barack Obama and California Gov. Jerry Brown. The letters are pleas to ensure adequate funding for schools.

Marrero said the lesson began in studying about heroes, such as Mohandas Gandhi, Helen Keller and Martin Luther King, who "dedicated their lives to service." The students watched the Oscar-honored film "Gandhi" and discussed fasting. He combined that with ongoing discussions about nutrition.

Then they picked up the cause to raise awareness about education funding.

"We realized that you can raise awareness about a key issue, and we thought eduction should be it," Marrero said. "Our school is facing budget cuts, losing teachers."

Thursday's demonstration intended to address awareness to , a proposed extension of an existing parcel tax dedicated to schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. The extension is on the June ballot.

The limitations on kids' pastimes like TV and electronic games, are the result of a challenge. Marrero bet the students he could eat nothing for longer than they could hold out.

"They said, 'You're on.' They jumped on it," Marrero said.

The students can watch TV and play games if they're not doing it alone. Marrero said the exceptions are allowed for "community" and "communication." He said students are spending more time with their family members since the challenge began.

Student Matt Blizard agreed, saying that his family has an ongoing Monopoly game.

"It's kind of hard for us but we're doing our best," Matt said. "I'll get up in the morning on Saturday and pick up the TV remote and go, 'What?' We've been doing things together, we've been playing together."

His dad, Robert Blizard, commended the challenge.

"I think it's a great thing, Mr. Marrero is one of those teacher who lights a fire under kids," Robert Blizard said. "It really makes them think. They're not just coming home from school and doing their homework, it's 'school this, and school that.'"

Pinole City Councilman Tim Banuelos, whose daughter Emily is in Marrero's class, attending Thursday's event.

"She watches the news in the morning now before she goes to school," the councilman said. "More awareness has a lot to do with what they learn. One of the them could be on the (city) council one day."

Marrero said he's not sure how long the challenge will last.

"At times it's been painful and lots of discomfort but that is nothing compared to how harsh the pain will be if we do not support our schools," Marrero said."You can't eat your seed corn."

What do you think students will learn from this lesson?