ACLU: Don't Ban Parents from School Grounds Without Due Process
While everyone seems to agree that parental involvement in schools is critical, the ACLU just filed an amicus brief in a case illustrating some of the obstacles that can arise when parents try to get involved.
Yesterday, Division One of the Washington state Court of Appeals accepted the ACLU of Washington’s amicus brief in the case of State v. Green.
This was a case where the mother of an elementary school student was indefinitely banned from school grounds, or “trespassed,” from her son’s elementary school in the Kent School District after she repeatedly asked pointed questions about curriculum, district policies, textbooks, and lesson plans at a “Curriculum Night” event held for parents. The District denied her request for a hearing to challenge the trespass order, and she ended up being cited and criminally prosecuted for going back to the school twice – once to try to attend a parent-teacher conference and a book fair, and once to pick up her son from a Science Fair.
No one questions schools’ authority to regulate access to school grounds in order to ensure a safe and productive educational environment. The ACLU’s brief in this case explains why a school cannot simply banish a parent from her child’s school indefinitely without any opportunity for a hearing to challenge the allegation that was causing a disruption.
For good reason, our state legislature passed a law this year directing that the Center for Improvement of Student Learning identify and highlight successful models and practices of parent involvement so that successful schools can be recognized.
The Washington State Office of the Education Ombudsman also provides resources for families and school districts who want to work on developing successful partnerships and resolving conflicts. And students and families that want to advocate for improvements in their own District’s policies and practices regarding family involvement can find helpful tips in the ACLU of Washington’s Parents’ Guide to School Board Advocacy, also available in Spanish.
The brief was written by ACLU of Washington’s cooperating attorney, Jamal Whitehead, formerly at Garvey, Schubert & Barer with ACLU Staff Attorneys Nancy Talner and Rose Spidell.
Parents' Guide to School Board Advocacy in Washington- Printer-friendly version |
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Tresspass Notice
I just received a notice that I am on an official "do not trespass" status on school campus.
I am instructed to not be on any grounds or district property or at any activity sponsored by the district unless I have made a prior appointment with a specific administrator (they did not name anyone).
It also says before and after any such meeting I am not to be on campus, not allowed to talk to any staff or students.
If I do they will call the sheriff and pursue trespass charges.
Banned
I have just been made aware as of today, that I am banned from school property and if I am on the grounds the police will be called and I will be arrested. I have a special needs student with and IEP in affect and I believe that the disagreements between staff and I on how to handle his needs may have caused this. however, I am unaware as to why as I received an un postmarked letter in my mailbox 2 weeks after they implemented it. My problem is he is in after school programs, tutoring and i usually spend at least an hour a day at the schol helping him in class. I attend all field trips and now I cannot step foot in the school for any purpose and I have no idea why. I also am not sure what route to go now since this is a Charter school. Any suggestions?
Banned from school unless I'm picking up or dropping off
I had an altercation with a TA over a parking issue where I was verbally abused and harrassed in front of my daughter and not a whole lot of credible people but the special ed students outside. This is a small community of teachers that are close at this school. The Principal didn't do anything about the situation etc. I went home and vented on Facebook saying some things that they thought were threatening because of my pictures of being at the shooting range with my hubby. I made some comments about getting her back etc and wondering if my gun was locked and loaded etc. I don't have a criminal background and I would never do anything to hurt anyone, however I am banned from the school until the Principal lets me back in. I had no warning, still no apologies etc. Everyone is against me at the school and I have a special needs daughter. She is scared to see the Principal and TA and doesn't want her mommy picked on. What are my rights?
Teacher Bullying, Student Bullying, and School Board Neglect
My daughter has been bullied by students on campus and harrassed by the teacher. The teachers ignore the situation and state, "I have nothing to do about that". The teachers bully the students with verbal and physical attacks. I have reported this to the prinicipal. The principal is new to the school, but not as a principal. She fails to do anything about the student or teacher bullying. The students have been bullying since August and nothing has been done about it. The teachers have bullied since August and nothing has been done about that. The principal defends the teachers. No teacher has the right to scream,intimidate, and use physical acts to threaten a child,especially elementary. I have reported this incident to the assistant superintendent and emailed the superintendent. Nothing has been done about it. The principal does not provide a safe school for ALL students. The school board helps her create such havoc because they fail to give her consequences for her wrongful and neglectful actions.
Teacher bullying
My son (a junior in high school) has been told by his math teacher(2nd one this year) that he was "going to be here for 3-4 more years" among other things. He tried to state that he didn't understand and was sent to detention. The detention teacher called me and said he was reading in detention. I asked what do children do in detention and stated read or homework and I asked and my son was doing what? Reading.
For over two years he has been in freshman math. He and I have repeatedly told the teachers we are ignorant in algebra but because he scores high on his WASL's in some areas they say he is not working up to his ability. He has been sent to detention more times than I can count over the last 2 plus years because he can't do the math and reads instead of disrupting the class. He has lost all his will to even state his position and according to him, it just makes it worse if he says anything about not comprehending the material. This week he was ridiculed by 2 teachers in front of over 60 classmates. He states it happens so often it doesn't even matter anymore. Where is the law against teachers bullying the students? I complain, it stops a week or so then as if by magic it starts back up, this time it has gone to far. I tried to file a complaint with the district but they don't have a department that handles teachers that are bullies and to talk to the principal. What a vicious cycle for not only my son and I but all the other ROBBY'S out there.
Teachers bullying kids
My two grandsons has been bullied for two years by teachers and a resource officer. It has been reported and nothing done except to tell them he is lying.Recently one of them was knocked down after school by the teacher. The other one ran back and told the officer and instead of the officer going to check it out, he threatened to arrest him for making a false statement. All the while onlookers are calling the incident in to the police department. Workers are coming out of the business next door to the school where it happened, and seeing it take place. The school just keeps bringing up the behavior of my two grandsons as if that gave justification for this teacher to treat them this way.
School Discipline & Great Teachers' Ways
School discipline can be helped by educators' attitude, and these great teachers' way may aspire: http://www.geocities.ws/greatteachersari/index.html
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