In support of Nurse Stafford, Winthrop School, Ipswich, MA

Full reinstatement is the only option. For free speech and for the good of the children that are lacking in care every day Mr. Stafford spends outside that school. We the parents, our kids, and the majority of the town want Mr. Stafford's reinstatement. Please stop listening to the vocal minority and get this man back to work ASAP!

Freedom of speech!

Please reinstate the school nurse

9 months ago Featured

Mr. Stafford was always so incredibly kind to my son during his 9 years at Winthrop. He is a highly skilled professional who has served the Winthrop Community for 16 years and it is a better place because of him. We can’t afford to lose valuable caretakers of his caliber.

Free speech in one’s private life is absolute and shall not be infringed.

Free speech guaranteed by the Constitution applies to all! Reinstate your nurse ASAP!

Even though Jon’s post seemed to me an impulsive knee jerk reaction and unprofessional, I do believe his personal comments should be protected just like everyone else’s- whether we like them or not. I do wish he would have thought twice & taken a moment - but I think this every day about many emotional points of view shared publicly in these days . Nevertheless I think Jon is a wonderful school nurse & a total asset at the Winthrop school. He deeply cares about each kid & supports them physically and psycho-socially. He is a friend to kids with anxiety & a source of strength to them. Kids need calm continuity to be successful - especially those with health issues.

Very well said and agreed! Everyone has a right to freedom of speech, which we cannot disceiminate people on their beliefs and views, cannot be judged fairly, it could be interpreted a thousand ways and for reasons we dont know. But we do know that this online response wasnt expressed in or at school. Nurse John has been a huge support and important role in the lives of all winthrop elementary school students throughout the years and is always professional and appropriate at school and while speaking with children and their parents, and he should be allowed to continue his important role looking after these children.

the superintendent should be put on leave for this decision - unpaid leave!

Freedom of speech.

As a resident of Ipswich, I’m disgusted with the decision to suspend Jon Stafford. In my opinion, his remarks were hardly incendiary, and I would happily go much further: Charlie Kirk was a stochastic terrorist whose history of inflammatory rhetoric has wrought havoc in online spaces. He spent his life pushing anti-LGBTQ views, demanding women sideline themselves to support their husbands, criticizing black people in high achieving professions, advocating for the repeal of the Civil Rights Act, and endorsing gun violence in schools in the name of the second amendment that ultimately led to his own demise. It’s very much within Mr. Stafford’s right to express criticism of a figure like this on his own time. Some insidious MAGA higher-up in the district clearly got wind of this and was offended. Genuinely can’t believe this crackdown on free speech from the far right has infiltrated the politics of our MA elementary school.

Mr. Stafford is an incredibly kind and supportive figure in Winthrop school, and I still remember him from my time there. He is an incredible mentor and removing him for exercising free speech on his own time is unnacceptable. Villainizing those who are against the death of children, and who are rightly angry at people who advocate for children to die in school shootings, sends the message that this school does not care for the lives of it's children. That is not the school I grew up in and I will not stand for it.

Jon Stafford is a kind gentle soul who is a safe space for our children . He is ever in motion, on their behalf, purposefully fulfilling his health-caring role. He would without hesitation take bullets for our children , sheltering them first. In these horrific terrifying times, Jon Stafford defines the model of the provider and community member our children (and their parents) desperately need and rely on.

I support freedom of speech in our community, and I support Jon Stafford, a dedicated and caring member of our community.

Bring Kimmie back NOW!

Jon has first amendment rights and should not have been fired.

Jon Stafford called out white supremacy in a public forum. White supremacy and its violence is a threat to our children and our society. Why should we punish a person—robbing them of their livelihood and place in our community—for articulating a truth rooted in care and justice?

Reverse an fortunate mistake

Free speech belongs to everyone. Jon Safford was a wonderful role model for our children.

Our schools should honor free speech. I am completely offended by Blake’s action. Bring the school nurse back now.