On January 19, 2025, WHQR published this letter of support for ending out of school suspensions for our youngest learners in its Sunday online newsletter. Rev. Jerry Winsett is a longtime Wilmington resident, who lives in the Whisper Creek area.
I am writing to you in support of Love Our Children's quest to end out-of-school suspensions for 5, 6,and 7-year-old students, and I ask you to add WHQR's voice and support to their efforts.
I'm an old guy, I remember when I was a kid, if you skipped school they would send a truant officer to find you and bring you back to school! Suspending a kid who didn't want to be there was rewarding bad behavior, they would have never considered it because they knew that the ONLY way a child learns is to be in school.
Out of school suspensions are an unscientific and ineffective methodology. They don’t improve school safety. And records show that out-of-school suspensions disproportionately impact Black students and Special Education students. Those who need education opportunities most. There are many effective alternatives to out-of-school suspensions.
Please, add your voice to help ensure that our youngest learners stay in school where they can learn and thrive.
Thank you Rev. Winsett.
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