In the heart of San Francisco, a group of passionate students took to the podium at a recent city meeting, their voices echoing the urgent needs of their schools. Maya Masaka, an eighth grader and president of the Associated Student Body at Bessie Carmichael FEC, stood before city officials, representing her peers with a heartfelt plea for better facilities.

Maya's speech highlighted the dire state of the school's bathrooms, which serve over 200 students but are plagued by issues such as broken sinks and cracked windows. She revealed that work orders for repairs have languished for years, with one request dating back to December 2021. “The lack of urgency to restore basic needs to our facilities is a blatant disrespect to our community,” she asserted, emphasizing the impact of these neglects on students' self-esteem and sense of safety.

The meeting also featured voices from younger students, including Eliana Studley, a third grader advocating for fair wages for teachers and paraeducators. She expressed her admiration for the staff, urging the city to support their well-being. Another poignant moment came from Chris, a parent of a child in special education, who echoed the call for better staffing and support for educators, stating, “Enough is enough.”

As the meeting progressed, students from Bessie Carmichael continued to voice their concerns about potential cuts to essential programs, pleading for the preservation of their educational resources. Kimberly Kunan, a fourth grader, passionately urged officials to save the Filipino Wells program, while her classmates echoed similar sentiments about class consolidations and the importance of maintaining their school community.

The collective outcry from these young advocates paints a vivid picture of a community striving for recognition and support. Their heartfelt testimonies serve as a reminder of the critical role that educational facilities play in shaping the lives of students. As the city grapples with these pressing issues, the voices of San Francisco's youth resonate louder than ever, calling for action and change in their schools.