Each September, we show up with new backpacks and the hope that this year will be better. But what if we didn’t leave that hope hanging? What if, instead of waiting for something to go wrong, parents and students entered the year prepared with the tools, language and confidence to advocate for themselves and their children? This year, we’re not just showing up with school supplies. We’re showing up with questions.
For too long, students and families have been left to navigate a school system they didn’t design, one that too often ignores them when they speak up and responds to harm with silence, or worse, punishment.
So let’s talk strategy and get ahead of the moment before any issues arise. Before the bullying starts, a teacher dismisses a need, or a disciplinary slip appears. Send an email to your child’s teacher/counselor. Let them know your child’s name, their pronouns and any accommodations they might need, and ask a few thoughtful questions about classroom rules or discipline policies.
Let them know you’re present and you’re paying attention. You don’t need to wait until there’s a fire to show up.
Once the relationship is open, stay curious. Ask direct questions that give you insight into how the school operates. Ask about support services, understand how complaints are processed, and ask to review your child’s records (yes, you can do that). Don’t wait for the school to offer this information, ask for it. Too often, we’re told, “That’s just how it is,” but your child’s education should never be handled without you. And if something goes wrong (ie: name-calling, exclusion, suspension, or silence when your child asks for help), speak up clearly. Describe what happened, how it affected your child and what you’d like to happen next. Are you asking for a meeting or written explanation? A review of your child’s IEP? Be specific. Always ask for what your child needs with clarity and confidence.
And then save everything.
Keep a folder. Save emails, take screenshots, and write down what was said, when, and by whom. In Washington, you have the legal right to request student and public records including emails and disciplinary logs. If your school stalls or denies you access, submit your request in writing and keep a copy. Documentation makes it harder for them to ignore you.
Understanding the system can feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the best ways to build power. School districts are governed by policy and procedure. That means they must follow certain rules and when they don’t, you have leverage.
That’s why the Spokane NAACP created the Manual to Address Educational Discrimination. It’s written in everyday language and breaks down everything from FERPA and public records to filing a harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) complaint. It’s designed to help families like yours speak up. This school year, let’s do more than hope for better. Let’s demand what is fair and necessary.
So when we say, “Dear School District…”
We mean: We’re here. We’re informed. We’ve got questions. And we’re not backing down.
Birdie Bachman is an intern for the Spokane NAACP Education Commitee.