WNY Law Center School Discipline Project

School Discipline Attorney Sam White presented on behalf of the Western New York Law Center to the families at the Lydia T Wright School 84 Saturday Acadamy. Attorney White spoke to the multi generational lunch crowd of more than 80 people and shared self advocacy resources with parents. This program was funded in part by The New York Bar Foundation Thank you Say Yes Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools for organizing!

A great resource for educators in our diverse school system!

Ramadan Mubarak!

During Ramadan, many of our Buffalo Public Schools students observe a sacred month of fasting, reflection, and prayer. From dawn until sunset, they refrain from food and water, which can mean long hours of fasting while still engaging in their school responsibilities. In addition to fasting, many students participate in special nighttime prayers (Tarawih), which may extend past midnight. They also wake up early, often around 4–5 am, to eat a pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and pray before beginning their fast.
Since Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, its dates change each year.

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, and conclude on the evening of Sunday, March 30, 2025 (dates may vary based on moon sighting).

Fasting, combined with late-night prayers and early mornings, can make the school day more challenging for our Muslim students. By showing compassion and understanding—whether by allowing rest breaks, being mindful of energy levels in the afternoon, or simply offering words of encouragement—we can help support their well-being during this meaningful time.

New appeals tools from Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic and the WNY Law Center will be available to BPS families on May 1st!

New tool kit helps in appeal process for students facing suspension A new tool kit through Western New York Law Center and Columbia University Law School helps parents and caregivers of Buffalo Public School students navigate the suspension appeal process

Happening now, JOIN US!

In the Buffalo Public Schools during 2023, Black students were 2.5x more likely to be suspended than their White counterparts and students with learning disabilities were suspended at 2.6x the rate, and students who are economically disadvantaged are suspended at 2.5x the rate of economically secure students.

We have been collaborating with Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic for the last 4 months to create a parent tool kit which will allow families to produce legally based arguments to help them appeal their student’s long term and short-term suspension. These tools will be available May 1, 2024 at wnylc.com/Dignity in Schools Campaign

Please join Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic and the WNY Law Center for a joint press conference at the Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo NY 14208 and via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85255345354

In the Buffalo Public Schools during 2023, Black students were 2.5x more likely to be suspended than their White counterparts and students with learning disabilities were suspended at 2.6x the rate, and students who are economically disadvantaged are suspended at 2.5x the rate of economically secure students.

We have been collaborating with Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic for the last 4 months to create a parent tool kit which will allow families to produce legally based arguments to help them appeal their student’s long term and short-term suspension. These tools will be available May 1, 2024 at wnylc.com/Dignity in Schools Campaign

Please join Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic and the WNY Law Center for a joint press conference at the Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo NY 14208 and via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85255345354

Hope you can join Wednesday 530p by Zoom for Women in the Law presented by UB Pre-Law NBLSA. The panel includes Western New York Law Center School Discipline Project Supervising Attorney Sam White.

https://buffalo.zoom.us/j/96092178622?pwd=bStNdERWaUV6TjZJbWNOMlRndThTQT09

Hackers are targeting young public school students. This disproportionately affects children of color... listen for the full story!

Just to bring this story home, BPS students of color are suspended at a rate of 2.5x the rate thier Caucasian counterparts.

🔊 Listen Now: Hackers are targeting young public school students All Things Considered on NPR One | 7:14