I was expelled from my school over a mistake I made — distributing cannabis gummies. The story was not fully heard, no other involved parties faced consequences, yet I was made an example and expelled. This harsh consequence does not promote growth or education, and it dismisses the chance for one to learn from their mistakes.

In Stockton, CA, where our schools should be nurturing grounds for personal developments, the facilities are quick to oust students because of a single mistake instead of assigning community work or providing other learning opportunities. A study by UCLA found that suspensions and expulsions carry heavy social costs, contributing to a “school-to-prison pipeline” that shuffles students out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Our plea is for policymakers and educators to realize that children and teenagers make mistakes, and often these are a part of their growth journey. Such decisions should acknowledge this context and aim at creating an environment conducive to learning, rehabilitation, and growth. Expulsion should not be the immediate course of action.

By signing this petition, you are supporting a crucial change in our education system that will promote rehabilitation and learning rather than punishment. Please, sign this petition and demand more reasonable disciplinary actions in our schools instead of immediate expulsion.