Right to Education Project's August Newsletter

Welcome to the Right to Education Project (REP) Community Newsletter!

We are Legal Aid of NC’s statewide education justice project. We use this newsletter to share information about upcoming events and resources for parents and families, as well as tips on how to help your student be successful and feel safe in school.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested and encourage them to sign up to receive it here

Para leer este boletín en español, ¡haga clic aquí!

Upcoming Events & Initiatives

Join KidScope Orange County for a Community Day focused on early childhood services. A REP attorney will talk about Education Advocacy, and other speakers with share other community resources. A great opportunity to meet and connect with other parents and community members.

When: Saturday August 26

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: Binkley Baptist Church

1712 Willow Dr

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

More Info

Join Own Your Dream, a local youth empowerment org, at their Back 2 School event. A REP staff will be there with education information and advocacy resources as you prepare for the start of school. Additionally, there will be free school supplies, haircuts, hygiene items, and shoes.

When: Saturday August 26

2 PM

Where: Lane Street Park

920 E. Lane Street

Raleigh, NC 27610

More Info

Education Justice Alliance & Legal Aid Present:

Know Your Rights Session

Join us on Saturday, September 16 · 2 - 4pm EST, for a parent and student session on your rights while in the public school system. We will highlight policies meant to protect students and actions you can take if your students' rights are violated. This event is for Wake County families and the whole family is welcome. The student session is meant for middle and high school students to participate. Interpretation services are available. Click below to register.

Eventbrite: EJA's Know Your Rights Session

Free school supplies near you!

There are many supports to access free school supplies for your children. In addition to the online resource below, you can reach out to your school's social worker to ask about school supplies offered at the school and/or community organizations. Click the link below for a list of organizations that offer free back to school supplies, clothes, backpacks, etc. for the 2023 school year.

Find Free School Supplies Near You

Resource Spotlight

We are excited to highlight resources from our project and partners!

Have questions or concerns about your student's IEP or 504 plan?

You can request an early or addendum IEP or 504 meeting at any time, if you have any of the following:

New concerns that you have about your student's plan, or that you have about your student that you want included in their plan.
Expectations or to establish a relationship with your student's teacher(s).
New medical information.
New behavioral information or concerns.

Check out our 'Special Education' resources on our website for more tips on communicating with your student's school about their special education or disability-related needs.

Advocacy Resources

Charter School Contact Directory

Do you need to contact someone at your student's Charter School about your student's needs, ask questions, or express concerns? Sometimes this information is hard to find. We have created a Charter School Directory that includes charter school information for each NC County/School District. You can find the School's Website Link, Link to School's Handbook, Executive Director/School Leader/Dean, EC Director, Law Firm, and more! **Please note - we are updating this resource in real-time!**

Charter School Directory

REP Staff Spotlight

This month we would like to provide our one-pager about our project

You can access lots of important resources and links by checking out our LinkTree:

REP's Tip of the Month!

A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.S

FERPA

If you believe you have been wrongly denied access to your student's educational records, you have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Education under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

More information about that complaint process can be found here:

File a Complaint | Protecting Student Privacy (ed.gov).

Also, DOE gives a helpful overview of the types of complaints it will review and how people can file those complaints in these short videos: FERPA’S Complaint Process Explained and What happens when I file a complaint? The easiest way to file a FERPA complaint is by utilizing the online complaint form.

Note: You do not need an attorney to file a FERPA complaint!

SNAC & SEPTA

Does your student's school or district have a Special Needs Advisory Council or Special Education PTA?

These organizations are usually a group of parents, district staff, and community professionals working together for the continuous improvement of the district's Exceptional Children's program.

The purpose is to influence district policy on EC issues and promote inclusion in our schools. If your child currently has (or recently had) an IEP, a 504 plan, is medically fragile or has learning differences, then it is in your interest to get involved with your local SNAC or SEPTA.

Contact your district EC office or check out your district's website to see if there is a SNAC or SEPTA in your community!

More Education Resources

Your gift provides legal help to our clients within the prohibitions and conditions enforced by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). As an LSC funded organization, all non-LSC grants and contributions made to us are subject to restrictions in the Legal Services Corporation Act, 42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq. and LSC's appropriations. Learn more.