The following is an excerpt from the Superintendent Corner Column from Friday, January 31, 2025. Click here for the full column.
As Superintendent of Fair Lawn Public Schools, I am proud to serve this extraordinary community, where our families' diverse perspectives, traditions, and experiences enrich our shared commitment to educational excellence. Public education has long served as a foundation for opportunity in our nation, opening doors for students to contribute to their community and achieve their full potential. Our District continues this vital mission by providing comprehensive educational services to all student residents in accordance with state law and established legal precedent. We remain focused on delivering a thorough and efficient education while maintaining a welcoming and supportive learning environment where every student can succeed.
To address community questions regarding student enrollment and educational access, I want to explain our District's meaningful legal obligations and commitments clearly. The Fair Lawn Public School District serves an inclusive community of students, providing high-quality education in accordance with state and federal laws. Our District is deeply committed to achieving exceptionally high academic standards for all students and we enthusiastically promote a supportive and nurturing learning environment. We understand that families may have questions about their children's educational rights and opportunities. The following information addresses these critical matters and reaffirms our District's dedication to serving all eligible students in our community.
The Fair Lawn Public Schools District is committed to protecting the rights of all students, as we value diversity and nurture vibrant, robust spaces for student learning. All resident children are entitled to a public education, regardless of immigration status. The law clearly states that public schools are responsible for providing a free, thorough, and efficient education to all student residents. State law and Supreme Court decision clearly state that U.S. citizenship is not required for a domiciled child to attend public school (Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982) and NJAC 6A: 22-3.3b). These laws reflect long-standing legal requirements.
Schools must create a welcoming environment and protect students' rights to attend a safe place to learn every day. As educators, our staff act in loco parentis to safeguard students' well-being while under our care and supervision. With that, any agency that comes to our schools and requests to interact with a student must demonstrate the legitimacy of such a request. Key points about our policies and protections:
Student privacy and confidentiality must be maintained according to all applicable laws, including federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), State law and regulations, and Board policies.
The District has agreements in place with the Fair Lawn Police Department, the Bergen County County Prosecutor's Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P, formerly known as DYFS) that cover the sharing of information on a myriad of issues. The District also requires proper judicial warrants and orders for federal law enforcement agents.
The Fair Lawn Public School District follows comprehensive protocols prioritizing student safety and legal rights, established per Department of Education guidance and legal requirements when responding to immigration enforcement inquiries. Our commitment to student safety remains paramount as we fulfill our legal obligations. We make every reasonable effort to notify parents/guardians promptly about matters concerning their children.
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination prohibits differential treatment based on various protected characteristics in places open to the public, including schools—based on national origin, ancestry, nationality, race, and other protected characteristics.
The District will continue to review guidance and direction from the New Jersey Department of Education, State officials, and relevant federal agencies, primarily focusing on implementing state educational policies and regulations.
Our schools strive to create a supportive and caring environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and can thrive. The well-being of every student is central to our mission. Our exceptionally dedicated team of counselors, administrators, and staff members stands ready to support every Fair Lawn family. Should your child considerably benefit from counseling services, contact your school's counseling department or the building principal. Every student receives thorough support from our schools, enabling them to flourish.
The following resources offer valuable information for our community to support families:
New Jersey Department of Education School Preparedness and Emergency Planning:
Department of Human Services - NJ Office of New Americans:
Department of Human Services - NJ Office of New Americans - Know Your Rights
The Fair Lawn Public Schools District is dedicated to creating welcoming schools where every child can thrive and succeed. Our people are our greatest strength, and we are committed to fostering, empowering, and recognizing every member of our educational family. Together, we will continue our District's proud tradition of educational excellence, providing all students who enter our doors with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
All my best,
Dr. Rui Dionisio
Superintendent of Schools