It is with my due concern that schools should be places where students learn, thrive, and make mistakes without disproportionate punishment. 

On Tuesday, I discussed with my career tech teacher at Collins Hill and announced that there is a chance I would be expelled for the entire school year, all because I sent a Dandy's World AU presentation with sensitive themes (profanity, racism, violence, and religious trauma) to three of my teachers without any malicious intent whatsoever. That was my second offense so far, the first one being a bloody knife held by my embarrassing school photo last year (Although I was allowed to change my collage as an opportunity given by my graphic design teacher, Mrs. Threeths).

Although I acknowledge that my presentation I sent to my teachers violated Maxwell's disciplinary code/the GCPS Student and Athlete Behavioral Code, and I take full accountability for my actions, the two incidents were motivated by curiosity and creative exploration, not damage or threats to anyone, and I believe that intent should be addressed when implementing administrative actions.

From what I consider a class 1 offense, the following should be implemented:

1. Formal warning from a teacher or counselor.
2. Administrative warning or referral with the possibility of suspension or detention, not immediate expulsion.
3. ISS/Detention for one to three days and a restorative assignment.

 Zero-tolerance policies act as if students' creativity, satire, idea expression, and works of art were extremely threatening, which therefore ruins students' education, mental health, and behavioral recovery. Overreacting to minor offenses does not make schools better; rather, it alienates and embarrasses students, damaging student-faculty trust.

This isn't about criticizing individual teachers and/or administrators, but rather about notifying them that the policies they follow are adequate and safe.

As a junior in high school, writing this, we, as petitioners, urge the Maxwell High School of Technology and GCPS to do the following:

• Modify Maxwell's school disciplinary policy/the GCPS Student and Athlete Behavioral code to enable more professional and appropriate responses regarding the intent and context of the offense.
• Guarantee that first and second-time offenses receive warnings, not life-altering bans or punishments.
• Enable more access to restorative opportunities - such as therapy, creative/educational workshops, community service, or at-home/public implementation projects.

We all make mistakes. Schools should give students opportunities to learn from them, not out them for minor offenses.

If you're looking for the presentation that got me expelled, links are below.

Dandy's World Gardenview Protocol Preview (My AU) - Google Slides​

Dandy's World Gardenview Protocol Preview (My AU) - Google Slides