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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kailin, Student from Yaya Network and Dignadian Schools
8:22:11
ยท
127 sec
Kailin, a senior at Fort Hamilton High School, testifies about the positive impact of mental health resources and restorative justice practices in her school, contrasting it with the lack of such resources in schools with predominantly black and brown students. She advocates for $80 million in funding to hire supportive staff in 500 schools to address this disparity.
- Highlights the success of her school's approach, including high attendance and graduation rates
- Emphasizes the need for mental health resources and restorative justice practices instead of increased policing in schools
- Calls for hiring community members for supportive roles rather than new police officers to promote equity in education
Kailin
8:22:11
Good afternoon, Chairwoman Joseph.
8:22:13
My name is Kailin.
8:22:15
I'm a participant in the Yaya Network and Dignadian Schools and a senior at Fort Hamilton High School.
8:22:20
In all of my four years at Fort, I've only been subjected to metal detection upon entering the building a handful of times and only when my school was under direct threat.
8:22:30
There is a there is little police presence in my school.
8:22:33
Instead, we have social workers, countless guidance counselors, and a restorative justice team.
8:22:39
Even without a strong police presence, most students feel safe at Fort.
8:22:43
When students are not meeting class standards, most teachers offer them comfort or refer them to a school guidance counselor or a social worker.
8:22:50
Detention is not a method of discipline in my school.
8:22:54
When I was struggling in freshman year, I met with a social worker weekly to talk about my feelings and come up with ways I can improve my schoolwork.
8:23:01
These resources have helped Ford achieve an average daily attendance above the citywide average and a graduation rate of eighty nine percent.
8:23:08
I've come to learn that I am extremely privileged when it comes to mental health resources in my school.
8:23:13
It is this environment that inspires me to pursue a career in secondary education and potentially school administration.
8:23:20
It is no surprise that my school, once situated in an upper middle class neighborhood and has significantly less black and brown students than the city average, receives resources like this.
8:23:31
Schools with predominantly black and brown students are more likely to be subjected to higher policing.
8:23:36
These schools receive a lack of mental health and restorative justice resources.
8:23:41
This discourages students' performances academically and also promotes a school to prison pipeline.
8:23:46
It is for this reason that I believe $80,000,000 should be funded directly to 500 schools to hire community members to take on supportive positions in our schools based on the needs of students.
8:23:57
Positions like youth advocates, parent coordinators, paraprofessionals, community outreach coordinators, counselors, and social workers.
8:24:05
These individuals should be hired instead of new police officers.
8:24:10
If my school can receive proper resources, so can others.
8:24:13
Schools with predominantly black and brown students should not be redlined.
8:24:17
Thank you for your time.