A group of children and their families in Piscataway NJ have suffered through a particularly difficult year.  The NJ Student Advocacy Union has been contacted and have arranged with them to hold a local "hearing" of their grievances at a meeting room in the local public library.  

The stories we are getting are that one by one, students in a certain class are being pushed out the door with long term suspensions.  On the eve of the day that the state will be presenting their proposed changes to discipline code, making it easier to remove children with disabilities, the Piscataway experience is an ominous warning of the days ahead in this here state of New Jersey.

We invite parents from Piscataway and beyond to present their stories.  We also ask that you draft up your experiences in writing that you can leave with us.  Be sure to include a sentence calling for maintenance of “stay put” protections and “pre-IDEIA 2004 manifest determination protections for students, parents and guardians.”

You can do so anonymously if you prefer.  We will package up the written documents that we collect and fax them to the NJ State Board as last minute comments as the comment period on special education code changes closes on June 21.  Your written comments can be a brief summary of your oral testimony.

We will discuss with the local parents proposals for collective action to raise their grievances locally and beyond.  We will help parents organize their complaints to the state and to the local administration.  We will help plan a campaign for parent and student empowerment in the Piscataway and surrounding districts.

If you care about the rights of our children and the rights of parents and guardians, you need to be at this meeting.

See you on Monday! 

Attendees of meeting will receive complimentary copies of The NJ Student Advocate, news organ of the NJ Student Advocacy Union.