Parents’ Bill of Rights

Parent Engagement

Kestrel appreciates the trust our families place in our school and the dedication of our skilled staff. We understand that family engagement plays a crucial role in a child’s academic, social, and emotional growth, and we view education as a continuous, collaborative effort between home and school. Recognizing that parents and family members are a child’s first educators, we believe their ongoing participation in the learning process is vital to enhancing student achievement. At Kestrel, we are committed to supporting our families by offering meaningful opportunities for parents and family members to get involved in our programs and activities.

At Kestrel, our Board of Directors, Executive Director, and entire staff are committed to living our mission of being a small, inclusive learning community in Durham where every student is empowered to thrive. Through our efforts, we strive to create a positive school culture and environment that nurtures our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.

Parents’ Bill of Rights

Senate Bill 49 (Session Law 2023-106), generally known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights, became law on August 16, 2023. The Department of Public Instruction, through the State Board of Education, will develop a parent’s guide to student achievement that will include the minimum requirements for public school units about what parents need to know about their child’s education progress and how they can help their child succeed in school. Kestrel will further develop our resources to meet the Parents’ Bill of Rights requirements when the state shares their parent guide to comply with the Parents’ Bill of Rights legislation requirements. Additional resources will be added to this site and shared with all stakeholders as they are available.

Parent Rights

1. Parent Rights
   A parent has the right to the following:

1. To direct the education and care of their child.
2. To direct the child’s upbringing and moral or religious training.
3. To enroll their child in a public or nonpublic school and in any school choice options available to the parent for which the child is otherwise eligible by law to comply with compulsory attendance laws, as provided in Part 1 of Article 26 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.
4. To access and review all education records, as authorized by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, relating to their child.
5. To make health care decisions for their child, unless otherwise provided by law, including Article 1A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.
6. To access and review all medical records of their child, as authorized by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), P.L. 104-191, as amended, except as follows:
   1. If an authorized investigator requests that information not be released to a parent because the parent is the subject of an investigation of either of the following:
      1. A crime committed against the child under Chapter 14 of the General Statutes.
      2. An abuse and neglect complaint under Chapter 7B of the General Statutes.
   2. When otherwise prohibited by law.
7. To prohibit the creation, sharing, or storage of a biometric scan of their child without the parent’s prior written consent, except as authorized pursuant to a court order or otherwise required by law, including G.S. 7B-2102 and G.S. 7B-2201.
8. To prohibit the creation, sharing, or storage of their child’s blood or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) without the parent’s prior written consent, except as authorized pursuant to a court order or otherwise required by law, including G.S. 7B-2201.
9. To prohibit the creation by the State of a video or voice recording of their child without the parent’s prior written consent, except a recording made in the following circumstances:
   1. During or as part of a court proceeding.
   2. As part of an investigation under Chapter 7B or Chapter 14 of the General Statutes.
   3. When the recording will be used solely for any of the following purposes:
      1. A safety demonstration, including one related to security and discipline on educational property.
      2. An academic or extracurricular activity.
      3. Classroom instruction.
      4. Photo identification cards.
      5. Security or surveillance of buildings, grounds, or school transportation.
10. To be promptly notified if an employee of the State suspects that a criminal offense has been committed against their child, unless the incident has first been reported to law enforcement or the county child welfare agency, and notification of the parent would impede the investigation.

Handbook and Policies

More Information

Parents with concerns related to curriculum, textbooks, or supplementary materials should submit the form linked below:

Parents with concerns related to the Parents’ Bill of Rights procedures or practice should submit the form linked below: