My son is not a delinquent. However, he has been suspended for 18 weeks in total from his school. This punitive action follows a week-long suspension prior to and after Spring Break, in response to an incident that certainly did not warrant such a harsh reaction. My son, a gentle and benevolent child, would never intentionally cause harm to himself or others.

We are now facing the looming reality of Standard of Learning (SOL) examinations next month. Being suspended from in-person learning will invariably lead to a decline in his academic performance. 

Our inability to work from home and lend him the required support in his studies further adds to the challenge. More than the academic setback, I fear the emotional and social impact this suspension will have on my son. He is a jovial, laid-back kid, and yet I see him being pushed into a corner where depression may start to creep in.

A report by American Psychological Association states that exclusionary discipline practices, such as suspension, can lead to a wide range of negative consequences for the students, including an increase in their likelihood of academic failure and dropout. We urge the school system to reconsider their decision for the sake of my son's education and overall well-being. Please support us in this fight against an unjust punishment by signing this petition.

Update: The appeal hearing did lower his 18 week suspension down to 37 days (end of this school year), and took away the need for a mental health evaluation but they would not expunge it from his record.