Parents’ Bill of Rights &

Parent Guide to Student Achievement

Public School Units (PSU) will develop a parent guide to support the Parent’s Bill of Rights.

North Carolina General Statute § 115C-76.25 outlines parents’ rights in regard to the education of their children. Mount Airy City Schools is a public school unit (PSU) serving students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. This guide has been developed as a means for keeping parents/guardians informed. NC Senate Bill 49 (Parents’ Bill of Rights) was passed in August 2023, to address all requirements of the law, revisions to existing policies occurred, and these were approved in October 2023. Some new policies were also developed to support the implementation of the Parents’ Bill of Rights. The Parents’ Bill of Rights allows us to consolidate all of this information in one convenient location, thus promoting transparency and accessibility for families.

What are my legal rights as a parent regarding my child’s education?

G.S. Sec. 115C-76.25. Parent legal rights for their child’s education.

This requires PSUs to allow parents to exercise the following rights regarding their children and make these rights available to parents electronically OR by displaying the information on the PSU/district website:

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies can be reviewed under each of the parent’s legal rights:

(1) Make decisions for participation in reproductive health and safety education programs;

Policy Code: 3540 Comprehensive Health Education Program

(2) Seek medical or religious exemptions from immunization requirements;

(3) Review statewide standardized assessment results;

(4) Request an evaluation of their child for identification as a child with a disability or as academically or intellectually gifted;

Policy Code: 1730/4022/7231 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disabilities

(5) Inspect and purchase textbooks and other supplementary instructional materials;

Policy Code: 3200 Selection of Instructional Materials

(6) Access information on promotion and retention, including high school graduation requirements;

(7) Receive regular report cards that show academic performance, conduct, and attendance;

(8) Access information on the State public education system;

Mount Airy City Schools (MACS) operates as a public school unit (PSU) within the parameters of the North Carolina State Board of Education and the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). “The North Carolina State Board of Education sets policy and general procedures for public school systems across the state, including teacher pay and qualifications, course content, testing requirements, and manages state education funds” (2023). The State Board of Education meets monthly with viewable agendas and open session meetings, which can be attended and accessed using the link included here. Parents/guardians of MACS may access additional information from NCDPI and the state board, including their monthly meetings by using the links shared above.

(9) Participate in parent-teacher organizations;

Policy Code: 5010 Parent Organizations

(10)-(11) Opt-in to participation in protected student information surveys in accordance with State law and opt-out of data collection in other surveys in accordance with federal law;

Policy Code: 4720 Surveys of Students

(12) Review available records of materials their child borrowed from a school library.

Policy Code: 3210 Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials

According to the “Parents’ Bill of Rights (Senate Bill 49),” parents have legal rights with regard to their child's education, including the following areas which are categorized below and connected to the policies of the Mount Airy City Schools (MACS) Board of Education. This comprehensive collection of information was used to develop the Mount Airy City Schools Parent Guide to Student Achievement.

MACS Parent Guide to Student Achievement

How can I be more involved in my child’s education within

Mount Airy City Schools?

What resources are available within our community?

G.S. 115C-76.20. Priority of parental involvement in public school.

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies:

Sec. 115C-76.35. Public school unit policies to increase parental involvement shall, at a minimum, include the following components.

Community services and partnerships associated with Mount Airy City Schools:

Mount Airy Parks and Recreation provides:

Opportunities for community-based athletics for ages 4-12
Opportunities for families to engage in healthy activities including an aquatics program with swimming lessons for all ability levels

Reeves Community Center and the Reeves Community Center Foundation provide:

After-school care for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade
Summer programming for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade
Scholarship opportunities for youth

Surry Arts Council

Access and opportunity for after-school and summer programming
Scholarships are available for application to ensure equitable access

Mount Airy Museum of Regional History

Opportunities for enrichment experiences including summer camps

Opportunities for family involvement programs, student advisory councils, school volunteer programs, and other activities:

Mount Airy City Schools believes in the value of a strong home to school partnership with a shared vision of supporting every student for successful outcomes. We appreciate parent and family involvement to help ensure that all voices are heard, problems and solutions are developed collaboratively and that all learners are receiving a high-quality education. There are many opportunities across the schools and our district to provide parents/guardians with engagement experiences. We also encourage parents to volunteer in our schools as this serves as a springboard for community building. This use of your time at your child’s school also builds strong connections with teachers, staff, other parents, and your child’s classmates. Essentially, volunteering in schools also demonstrates the importance of working together with educators and others for the betterment of our community. You can read about volunteering in the Mount Airy City Schools District Handbook on page 8.

Family Involvement Opportunities in Mount Airy City Schools:

BH Tharrington Primary School (BHT)

Title I Parent and Family Engagement nights 2x per year
The Parent Lighthouse team serves as a part of the school improvement team process and includes 1-2 parent representatives annually
Parents/guardians are invited to attend meetings and support school improvement efforts
Primary point of contact information can be accessed by calling the school office at 336-789-9046

Jones Intermediate School (JO)

Title I Parent and Family Engagement nights 2x per year
The Parent Lighthouse team serves as a part of the school improvement team process and includes 1-2 parent representatives annually
Parents/guardians are invited to attend meetings and support school improvement efforts
Primary point of contact information can be accessed by calling the school office at 336-786-4131

Mount Airy Middle School (MAMS)

School Improvement Team- 1-2 parent representatives annually
MAMS Parent and Teacher Organization (PTO)

Primary point of contact information can be accessed by calling the school office at 336-789-9021

Mount Airy High School (MAHS)

School Improvement Team- 1-2 parent representatives annually
Athletic Boosters & Band Boosters

Primary point of contact information can be accessed by calling the school office at 336-789-5147

MACS Community Central Office (CCO)

District Academically and Intellectually Gifted AIG team
Business Advisory Council
Superintendent’s Advisory Council for Parents
Superintendent’s Advisory Council for Students
Federal Programs and Title I Stakeholder Feedback Meetings

Improving Parent and Teacher Cooperation:

Communication is extremely important and MACS uses a variety of media outlets to ensure that contact with students and parents is delivered in a timely manner.

Parents may access the Mount Airy City Schools Communication Essentials on the website.

This resource is also located in the Mount Airy City Schools District Handbook on page 5.

Canvas access is available for all parents/guardians- for support check out this Canvas help page.

Click here for Canvas parent log-in access

Direct access is available for all schools through our phone system.

BH Tharrington Primary School 336-789-9046
Jones Intermediate School 336-786-4131
Mount Airy Middle School 336-789-9021
Mount Airy High School 336-789-5147

Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher as the primary contact; this can be completed through phone or email. Teachers will provide their contact information at the beginning of each school year. The graphic below provides a step-by-step plan for addressing parental concerns.

How can I learn more about my child’s student achievement and contributing factors including programs, resources, and teacher qualifications?

Sec. 115C-76.30. Parent's guide for student achievement

1) What are the qualifications of my child's Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, including licensure status?

All Mount Airy City Schools teachers must have a North Carolina Educator’s license and adhere to the licensing requirements set forth by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The requirements for serving as a professional educator in the state of North Carolina can be viewed on the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) website, then selecting Educators and choosing Educator’s licensure, which is also linked here. Individuals may verify professional educator’s licenses by selecting the Public Licensure lookup section of this page, which is also linked here.

2) How is student participation in rigorous academic programs ensured? This can be reviewed in the following resources and associated policies:

Resources:

A comprehensive list of resources may be accessed in the district’s Teaching and Learning pages of the Mount Airy City Schools website.

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies:

3) What rights are provided for students with disabilities?

Parents' Handbook of Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education

How is my child taught certain topics to ensure an

“age-appropriate” manner is followed?

G.S. 115C-76.50. Student support services training and G.S. 115C-76.55 Age‑appropriate instruction for grades kindergarten through fourth grade.

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies:

How do I address a parental concern with my child’s school?

G.S. 115C‑76.60. Remedies for parental concerns

Communication is essential to the home-to-school partnership.

Parents may access the Mount Airy City Schools Communication Essentials on the district’s website.

This resource is also located in the Mount Airy City Schools District Handbook on page 5.

Canvas access is available for all parents/guardians- for support check out this Canvas help page.

Click here for Canvas parent log-in access

Direct access is available for all schools through our phone system.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher as the primary contact; this can be completed through phone or email. Teachers will provide their contact information at the beginning of each school year. The graphic below provides a step-by-step plan for addressing parental concerns.

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies:

How do I request my child’s student records?

Parents/guardians should begin this process with their child’s current school. A parent or eligible student may access the student’s education records upon proper request. The principal or guidance office personnel of the student’s school shall schedule an appointment as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the request by the parent or eligible student. The parent or eligible student may formally review the student’s complete education records only in the presence of the principal or a designee competent to explain the records. School personnel shall not destroy any education records if there is an outstanding request to inspect or review the records.

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies:

Will I be notified ahead of time regarding student surveys

that include protected topics and student privacy?

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies:

How will my child’s physical and mental health be addressed

while in the care of Mount Airy City Schools?

Associated Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education Policies: