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About Love Our Children NC
Love Our Children NC was co-founded in March 2021 by two experienced educators, Veronica McLaurin Brown and Peter Rawitsch. Their singular mission was to end out-of-school suspensions for 4, 5, 6, and 7-year-old students in New Hanover County. As their purpose gained attention, others joined their organization and spoke with them at the monthly New Hanover County Board of Education meetings.
After a full year of advocacy, the New Hanover County Board of Education voted unanimously to end out-of-school suspensions for K-2 students for minor offenses.
During this time, one parent was giving speeches at the Board meetings about ending the use of seclusion rooms. Love Our Children NC followed her lead and together they were successful at getting seclusion rooms banned in October 2022.
Our work is not done. Now, Love Our Children is working on getting young children the help and support they need in school and ending all suspensions for 5, 6, and 7-year-olds.
In addition to advocacy, Love Our Children NC offers free in-person training for parents, grandparents, and other guardians about their rights and the rights of their children as it relates to exclusionary discipline. Sessions about suspension policies and other exclusionary discipline topics are offered twice a month to parents and other advocates across the state on Zoom.
Our
Mission
Love Our Children NC is dedicated to ending exclusionary discipline in North Carolina. We are working to change harmful suspension and seclusion policies and statutes. We believe all children should receive the help and support they need in school.
Our Goals
We advocate for policies and practices that ensure every child in North Carolina feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn in a supportive school environment.
Obtain and share data on students who receive suspension, exclusions, and expulsions.
Educate parents, other advocates, and School Board members about the neuroscience of behavior and the harm of exclusionary discipline.
Increase staff, resources, and training to implement alternatives to exclusionary discipline.