February 2010
Dear Supporters of Safe Nurturing Mississippi Schools,
In 20 US states and its territories students are being beaten on their buttocks with wooden boards by teachers and administrators in districts that still sanction this practice. This archaic form of discipline, also known as corporal punishment, was introduced in American schools in the 1770's. Over the past 30 years, science has proven with an over abundance of evidence that any form of violence targeted at a developing human being is harmful to them in every way.
The state of Mississippi has the largest number of school districts allowing this practice and is second to Texas in the number of reported cases of school beatings--that number is increasing.
Consider these facts regarding corporal punishment in Mississippi schools:
Reported number of school beatings during 2006-07: 47,727. Reported number of school beatings during 2008-09: 57,953.
Primary targets: minorities and disabled students.
Reporting is not mandatory.
Mississippi school children are ready to takeoff in a direction that is befitting to 21st century American schools where effective nonviolent models of discipline are being used. Such models help students become problem-solvers, independent thinkers and leaders.
Mississippi school children need people who care to become their voices for having safe nurturing schools.
Please join citizens of Mississippi, The Hitting Stops Here!, Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education, and other supporters of safe American schools on Saturday, May 8, 2010 in being a voice for Mississippi's school children at our Mississippi Takeoff event. This event will begin with a 10 am rally and march outside of the Mississippi State Capitol building followed by lunch, workshops and guest speakers at the Jackson Marriott Hotel.
Learn more by going to www.TheHittingStopsHere.com. Scroll down to Mississippi Takeoff in the left column under Hot Topics.
Mississippi children are ready to see their schools "takeoff" in a direction where mutual respect and kindness is used in solving EVERY conflict through nonviolent forms of discipline.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Exec. Director
Tony Brian, Asst. Exec. Director
The Hitting Stops Here!
A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.
www.TheHittingStopsHere.com
408.509.6835
info@thehittingstopshere.com
Board members of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (PTAVE)
American SAFEPASS advisors (Student Alliance For Education in Peaceful American SchoolS)