August 14th 2024.
A community of parents from a school in Melbourne's eastern suburbs has come together to support a beloved crossing supervisor, John, who was recently banned from high-fiving students. The decision was made after a parent from Mount Dandenong Primary School witnessed John giving a high-five while driving past on Farndons Road.
Rohan Bradley, who organized the petition in support of John, shared that the supervisor was initially feeling down about the ban, but is now uplifted by the overwhelming support from the community. "His spirits are definitely lifting," Bradley told Today.
According to Bradley, many parents have reached out to John to check on him and show their support. He also mentioned that the petition has gained a lot of attention from the media, resulting in a surge of signatures. "The community's amazing support and the attention from the media have really helped him feel better about himself and realize how much he is valued and loved by us all," Bradley said.
The decision to ban high-fives has left both students and parents in disbelief. "John's interactions with the students have been going on for years now, and everyone finds it very welcoming and a warm part of their day," Bradley shared. The news of the ban was upsetting and surprising for many.
John has been hesitant to speak to the media, which makes it even more crucial for the community to speak on his behalf. "As parents and members of the community, it's important for us to raise this issue and voice our concerns, not just for John's sake but also for the students and our own wishes," Bradley expressed.
He remains hopeful that the council will have a change of heart after seeing the overwhelming support through the petition and media coverage. "I believe that this exposure and the petition will bring to their attention the fact that many of us disagree with this ruling," Bradley said optimistically. "If they can make such a drastic decision based on one complaint, then we will bring them thousands of complaints to counter it."
Bradley also shared his disappointment with the current state of affairs. "I think this is a sad reflection of where things are at the moment," he said. As of now, the petition for John has gathered over 1,000 signatures, and the community remains determined to fight for his right to high-five the students he cares for.
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