Kids Not Cops: Toolkit
BPS MUST REMOVE ALL POLICE FROM SCHOOLS
Stop criminalizing children of color
End the school-to-prison pipeline
- Children of all races misbehave at school but Black and Latinx children are much more likely to have the police called, be handled with force. and be arrested than white children
- Treating childish misbehavior like a crime and using the police to enforce school rules is totally inappropriate and traumatizes children
- Black students are more likely to be suspended or expelled for the same behavior as their white classmates, causing them to fall behind at school and leading to worse outcomes later in life
Stop criminalizing children of color
- Children of all races misbehave at school but Black and Latinx children are much more likely to have the police called, be handled with force. and be arrested than white children
- Treating childish misbehavior like a crime and using the police to enforce school rules is totally inappropriate and traumatizes children
End the school-to-prison pipeline
- Black students are more likely to be suspended or expelled for the same behavior as their white classmates, causing them to fall behind at school and leading to worse outcomes later in life
BELIEVE IN OUR KIDS
Fund mental health, art, and recreation programs
Work with parents, not cops
- Support student’s social. mental. emotional and physical health by making school more than just a place for academics. Fund counselors, therapeutic programs and positive activities that engage all aspects of child development
- BPS must use culturally responsive, restorative practices to address student behavior Schools can hire parents and community leaders instead of cops to create safe school environments
Fund mental health, art, and recreation programs
- Support student’s social. mental. emotional and physical health by making school more than just a place for academics. Fund counselors, therapeutic programs and positive activities that engage all aspects of child development
Work with parents, not cops
- BPS must use culturally responsive, restorative practices to address student behavior Schools can hire parents and community leaders instead of cops to create safe school environments
Fully implement the BPS Code of Conduct
- BPS must use culturally responsive, restorative practices to address student behavior
ACTION: TOOLKIT
It’s pretty simple: Kids need care, not cops. Black and brown youth are targeted and criminalized by cops in their daily life – they shouldn’t be harassed at school too. Tell the Board of Ed: Take all police out of Buffalo schools, immediately!
Why Does This Matter?
During COVID one of the only way elected officials hear from their representatives are by phone, email and social media, so this is how city legislatures hear from YOU what matters to YOU
Call and email your BOE representative today with this message:
I’m calling to ask you to vote to remove all police from the Buffalo Public Schools. Black and brown children are antagonized and harassed by the police in our community, and school should be a safe place away from cops. Our children are not criminals and they should never be treated like they are. Instead I’m asking you to support restorative justice practices and mental health programs to help kids resolve conflict, and end the school-to-prison pipeline. Can I count on you to vote to remove police from our schools?
Then, share and tag 3 friends to do the same!
Sample Tweets
@Buffalo_Schools Systemic racism looks like giving white students counselors, second chances and support, and black students cops, arrests and suspensions. Remove police from BPS immediately!
@(Insert Twitter handle) I’m calling on you to vote to remove police from Buffalo Public Schools. Our kids need care, not cops! #policefreeschools