Police-Free Schools Petition
NYC Mayor, NYC Council & Department of Education
We, the undersigned, believe that it is time for New York City to reimagine school safety, centering the voices of young people who for decades have been calling for schools that feel safe and supportive. Black and Latinx youth have continuously made up more than 90% of school-based arrests and summonses. While we have seen a reduction in all arrests, suspensions, and summonses across the city more recently, the racial disparities continue.
We have seen school discipline codes, school culture and school budgets consistently fail to invest holistically in the lives of young people. To ensure our budgets, policies, and practices reflect the vision for police-free schools we must transform the systems that have over criminalized and penalized our youth. We call on the Mayor, City Council, and School Officials to:
Remove All Forms of Policing and Fully Implement Restorative Justice Practices in Schools to Support Holistic Learning Environments.
Youth-led and centered spaces are created and invested in with time, training & funding
Restorative accountability measures are implemented and practiced across the school to ensure all school members are utilizing positive intervention practices
Eliminate the Use of Harsh Zero-Tolerance Policies Such as Suspensions, Detentions, Arrests and Summonses in Schools.
Schools should not use harsh punishment or rely on the police to address disciplinary issues including social distancing or face mask enforcement during the pandemic
Increase Social and Emotional Support Systems and Staffing Including Social Workers, Guidance Counselors and Mental Health Professionals to Support Holistic Development.
College and Career Access programs and staff are accessible to all students
Staff caseload is manageable to provide attention to every student
Incorporate Student and Parent Co-Governance in School Decisions That Are Related to Academics, Safety, Accountability, and Funding.
Reinstate Funding to Support Schools to Implement Culturally Responsive Curriculum.
Divest Funding From Policing and Surveillance and Invest in the Above Measures.
Sponsored by
Additional Sponsors
To:
NYC Mayor, NYC Council & Department of Education
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned, believe that it is time for New York City to reimagine school safety, centering the voices of young people who for decades have been calling for schools that feel safe and supportive. Black and Latinx youth have continuously made up more than 90% of school-based arrests and summonses. While we have seen a reduction in all arrests, suspensions, and summonses across the city more recently, the racial disparities continue.
We have seen school discipline codes, school culture and school budgets consistently fail to invest holistically in the lives of young people. To ensure our budgets, policies, and practices reflect the vision for police-free schools we must transform the systems that have over criminalized and penalized our youth. We call on the Mayor, City Council, and School Officials to:
Remove All Forms of Policing and Fully Implement Restorative Justice Practices in Schools to Support Holistic Learning Environments.
Youth-led and centered spaces are created and invested in with time, training & funding
Restorative accountability measures are implemented and practiced across the school to ensure all school members are utilizing positive intervention practices
Eliminate the Use of Harsh Zero-Tolerance Policies Such as Suspensions, Detentions, Arrests and Summonses in Schools.
Schools should not use harsh punishment or rely on the police to address disciplinary issues including social distancing or face mask enforcement during the pandemic
Increase Social and Emotional Support Systems and Staffing Including Social Workers, Guidance Counselors and Mental Health Professionals to Support Holistic Development.
College and Career Access programs and staff are accessible to all students
Staff caseload is manageable to provide attention to every student
Incorporate Student and Parent Co-Governance in School Decisions That Are Related to Academics, Safety, Accountability, and Funding.
Reinstate Funding to Support Schools to Implement Culturally Responsive Curriculum.
Divest Funding From Policing and Surveillance and Invest in the Above Measures.