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

Quit bowing to the autocratic demands of those responsible for the fomenting of violence in our society.

Don’t mess up a strong, rare, and invaluable hiring in John Stanford. I support him and all our rights to free speech. Firing him would be a grave mistake and set us back by decades.

Both my children have fond memories of Nurse Stafford, he made having to see the nurse not only a pleasant experience but not a scary one, and my kids at that age were often scared of anything out of their routine in school. He is a vital part of that school and losing him would be devastating too the kids. His words on social media are in no way threatening to the staff, students or town. It is 100% protected speech and he is within his rights to say it whether you agree with it or not.

Please support free speech.

10 months ago Featured

I have known Jon for 15+ years and as a parent and fellow school nurse I have the highest regard for his nursing practices and knowledge. The fb post has nothing to do with his work and should not be a reason for job termination!

Please reinstate Nurse Stafford immediately. What people post on their personal page is their right. By firing him, your district is violating his first amendment rights. The ACLU also believes in first amendment rights Have you reviewed every teacher's and staff's personal social media pages? Or is it just Stafford, because a few loud parents? Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Stafford’s comments were not made on school media but in a public forum where he has every right to state his opinion. It would be un-American to penalize him for doing so, and a sad and unjust disservice to our students.

Jon has always gone above and beyond in his care for the kids at Winthrop. During a particularly difficult time for my daughter, he was the one who helped our family most, with reassurance, care, and patience. He is an essential part of the Winthrop family.

nurse jon is a stand up human who was exercising free speech on his private social media. while i don’t agree with his statements i think it’s important to mention that the late charlie kirk who i also disagree with in many ways, was an almost radical proponent of free speech and wouldn’t want to see anyone fired for operating under that constitutional right. all that aside nurse jon is a huge support and he inspired my younger brother Elijah to be a nurse. Elijah is currently enrolled in mass boston nursing. bring back nurse jon!!!

Nurse Stafford has been such an asset to our elementary school. You don't need to condone his remarks to still acknowledge that he had the right to make them.

Hes a good man and said what we all were thinking it shouldn't effect his job

Mr. Stanfford was a very positive influence on my daughter in her time at Winthrop Elementary school. Not only did he make feel at ease with being able to go to the nurse when she didn’t feel well or was hurt, he also shared his knowledge of video production during Tiger Tube with ACE program. It would be a severe loss to have him no longer at Winthrop.

Mr. Kirk was practicing his right to free speech. We all have that right and need to protect it. I understand the superintendent’s caution but we as American citizens outside our profession should not need to fear voicing our opinions.

This was an excessive reaction to some ill considered social post for a person who is a valuable asset for the Winthrop School.

Free speech must be protected. We have lost too many rights already. The recent nationwide spate of firings over the expression of personal opinion is straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Chilling.

We all have a right to free speech, to express dissenting opinions…don’t let the “wannabe” dictators in the government take that away!

Mr. Stafford has long been a respected member of the Winthrop school community. At a time when positive male role models are especially important for both girls and boys, his contributions have been meaningful and valued. His personal comments, while perhaps pointed, fall within the bounds of protected speech. His right to dissent should not be dismissed, especially during these challenging and polarized times. I would urge you and the Ipswich School Committee to ensure that no disciplinary action—such as dismissal or withholding of salary—is taken against Mr. Stafford on the basis of his constitutionally protected speech. Indeed, offering him an opportunity to clarify his views and to publicly denounce political violence, would strengthen rather than undermine our community.

NOT a fire able offense!!!!

Do not fire Nurse Stafford.

The last time I checked, freedom of speech still existed in this country.