Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by High School Student and Student Advocate from Yaya Network
6:55:04
·
118 sec
A high school junior from Flatbush, Brooklyn advocates for increased funding and expansion of restorative justice programs in schools. She emphasizes the importance of community building and reformative approaches to discipline over punitive measures like suspensions.
- She argues that restorative justice practices, such as peer mediation, create mentally affirmative school environments and help students manage strong emotions.
- She highlights the negative impact of long suspensions on students' academic growth and enthusiasm for school.
- While appreciating the new baseline funding, she calls for further investment in student success centers and restorative justice programs to give New York students the best chance at success.
High School Student
6:55:04
Good afternoon, chair.
6:55:05
My name is Amina Jallo and I'm with district thirteen high school I'm with I'm a district high school I'm a district thirteen high school junior from Flatbush, Brooklyn.
6:55:16
And I'm here today with the Yaya Network to show you why restorative justice and community building still matters with limited funding.
6:55:23
As someone who's seen the value in mentally affirmative school environments, this is a huge priority to the school community.
6:55:29
My school currently utilizes aspects of restorative justice such as peer mediation, but imagine if they had the funding to expand these programs and better connect with the community.
6:55:39
Many people find themselves in physical altercations in my school and around the area which leads them to month long suspensions that hurt their academic ability to grow and destroy their enthusiasm surrounding the school environment.
6:55:52
Children thrive off of social interaction and it's vital to make them feel welcomed by their communities rather than imprisoned and shut out due to suspensions that put their social lives on hold.
6:56:03
If these children maybe had reformative outlets in contrast with punishments, they'd be less likely to end up under suspensions.
6:56:12
Reshaping disciplinary actions towards violent behavior can create children that grow into adults that can manage strong emotions.
6:56:19
If we only focus on authoritarian discipline and leave vital pillars like student success centers, then we're simply ignoring the potential of New York children.
6:56:28
Would it hurt to invest in their futures and see how they blossom?
6:56:32
While we appreciate the new baseline funding, we also know that it doesn't guarantee the growth of restorative justice.
6:56:39
We also know that in order to guarantee New York students the best chance at success, our goal should be further emphasized in this time of misinformation, becoming ever present.
6:56:51
Lastly, students who feel that their community believes in them ultimately believe in themselves and are more likely to succeed.
6:56:58
Let's make that happen and stop cheating out the students of New York.