Safe & Supportive Schools Collaborative

Patrick Bresette of Children's Defense Fund Texas, was recently interviewed about the "hardening of schools" in response to the recent shooting in Uvalde. Find out what he had to say!

Putting more police in schools will disproportionately hurt Black, Latino students, experts say The Uvalde school shooting renewed calls for more police in schools. Experts say not only is that ineffective, but that it also invites problems for students of color.

Now is the time for action. Our collaborative partner, One Houston, has some opportunities for advocates and community members to get involved.

Starting tomorrow, June 8th, ONE Houston is hosting a community reflection space called Processing & Building Power about school safety. We invite you to come network and learn ways to get involved to make changes in our education system. Use the link in the graphic below to register!

WE NEED YOUR VOICE!

"When I was a Metropolitan police department officer in the nation’s capital, I had an interaction that haunts me to this day. While driving through the city, my partner and I saw a day-care class out for recess. We pulled our cruiser alongside the playground, and the 30 or so young Black children from the day care became ecstatic when the lights on the cruiser began to flash. As we stepped outside to spend time with the kids, several were struck by the uniform and the badge.
Then, when I showed my flashlight to one of the boys, I saw a little girl crying in fear. As I walked over to her, her terror increased. I bent down to eye level and asked her what was wrong. “The police came one night and took my daddy!” she said."

Read more about a former police officer's call to remove police from schools! https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-as-a-former-cop-i-know-we-need-police-free-schools/2022/02

"Don't put handcuffs on! The aftermath of a 6-year old's arrest at school"

Florida schools saw an increase in reported police presence after a new law came into effect following the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Some experts say that's led to young children enduring traumatic classroom arrests. 6-year-old Kaia was one of them.

VIEW THE VIDEO AND READ MORE HERE:

'Don't put handcuffs on!': The aftermath of a 6-year-old's arrest at school - CNN Video Florida schools saw an increase in reported police presence after a new school safety law came into effect following the 2018 Parkland school shooting. But some experts say that's led to young children enduring traumatic classroom arrests. 6-year-old Kaia was one of them.

Thanks to members of the Safe and Supportive Schools Collaborative, Disability Rights Texas, Texas schools can again set their own face mask rules!

"The judge said the governor's order impedes children with disabilities from the benefits of public schools’ programs, services and activities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act."

Read more here:

Texas schools can again set their own face mask rules after federal judge overrules Gov. Greg Abbott's ban The judge said the governor's order impedes children with disabilities from the benefits of public schools’ programs, services and activities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The common goal is for the students to be able to go to school and learn and thrive and even make mistakes, without ending up in the juvenile justice system"

-Kara Dunovant, Safe and Supportive Schools Collaborative

Read more here:

More Black students referred to police in some San Antonio school districts During 2017-18, some local districts referred Black students to law enforcement at more than twice their share of the overall student population.

"Disturbing schools" and "Disorderly conduct"
Vague terms that could get your child arrested. Sound unfair? A South Carolina judge seems to agree.

Law Against 'Disorderly Conduct' in Schools Led to Unfair Student Arrests, Judge Rules The South Carolina ruling is a model for other states where students are still being arrested for minor incidents, an attorney said.

What are your thoughts?

Do police belong in America's schools? School resource officers are tasked with keeping schools safe, but a growing body of research suggests their presence takes a significant toll on students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6wSDP4kR_4

Caring for the mental health and wellness of our children is non-negotiable. Whether it's the impact of the pandemic, the trauma from witnessing racial injustice or the impact of poverty, our children need professionals that are trained and willing to address the emotional needs of our students.

Social-Emotional Learning has been successfully implemented in Chicago and can be done right here in Houston! We urge HISD to make the implementation, monitoring and maintaining of SEL a PRIORITY! HISD

How Chicago Teachers Are Using Social-Emotional Learning In The Classroom As schools nationwide try to guide students through the emotional weight of the past year, a Chicago school is finding success with social-emotional learning...

36 students suspended on the first day of school for "violating hair policy"

Barbers Hill ISD, the Houston-area school district that made headlines last year when it ordered two students to cut their dreadlocks or face suspension, sent 36 students to in-school suspension on the first day of school.

The district demanded that curly haired boys pull their hair taut to straighten it, then suspended the teens for violating the policy.

Discriminatory policies like these undoubtedly impact black and brown students at a disproportionate rate. By bringing attention and demanding action against these acts, we protect students of color in all districts and schools!

Read more here:

Barbers Hill ISD at center of another controversy involving students' hair The Houston-area school district is once again in the spotlight after making national...

Members of the SSC are not the only ones calling for police free schools. National Advocates Welcome “Counseling Not Criminalization” Legislation.

In June of 2021, members of the Senate and House reintroduced the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, a bill that heeds the call of youth leaders across the country who are organizing to win Police Free Schools, dismantle the school to prison and deportation pipeline, and secure investments in the resources and supports that students need.

The bill would prohibit federal funding from being used to hire, recruit or place cops on K-12 campuses and establish a grant program that incentivizes school districts to invest in trauma-informed, evidence-based supports, including by replacing cops with counselors, social workers, and mental health practitioners.

Read more here: https://advancementproject.org/news/national-policefreeschools-advocates-welcome-counseling-not-criminalization-legislation/