Parents for School Options

The warmest of congratulations to Subi and her mom, PSO Parent Advocate Shenell!

Subi graduated earlier this year from the Virtual Academy of Florida, and we couldn't be prouder of everything this duo has accomplished.

Last year, we sat down with Shenell as she began advocating for equity in the National School Lunch Program - making sure virtual students have access to the same meal benefits as their in-person peers. Her words, her story, and her determination are truly admirable.

What a mother-daughter team. 💛

Read Shenell and Subi's story: https://www.parentsforschooloptions.org/post/why-school-options-lunch-benefits-matter-when-life-turns-upside-down-shenell-and-subis-story

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Hundreds of thousands of families across the country are being forced to choose between the educational model that best meets their child’s needs and access to basic nutritional support.

Due to outdated congregate meal requirements, students enrolled in full-time virtual public schools are excluded from participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), even if they would otherwise qualify for free or reduced-price lunch (FRL) in a traditional setting.

Virtual Students deserve better. Call on Congress to modernize the NSLP and provide equitable access to school meals for all eligible students.

🔗 We invite you to get involved, share your story, and amplify the message: lunchforeverylearner.com

Half a million children.

That is the number of virtual students who are being left behind. Left out. Left… hungry.

Six months ago, our friends at DLAC released a staggering report that shed light on the vast inequities facing virtual school students.

Among the many elevations included this one fact: Roughly 51% of the estimated 1 million virtual school students qualified for the free and reduced lunch program.

However, because of outdated policy, these students receive nothing.

Parents and families who choose the exercise their right of school choice are punished by losing out on the benefits they need and qualify for.

This has to change.
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free lunch, virtual school, virtual student, online school, poverty, parent advocate, advocacy in action, national school lunch program, education policy, policy

Are you interested in learning how to make a difference in the school choice movement?

Parents for School Options has put together a step-by-step advocacy guide walks you through the process of becoming a school choice advocate in your state.

Remember: Advocacy is not a one-size-fits-all model! You are welcome to pick and choose the ways in which you want to make an impact and share your story with the world.

🔗 Read Our Guide:

How to Become a School Choice Advocate: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents | Parents for School Options This step-by-step advocacy guide by Parents for School Options walks you through the process of becoming a school choice advocate in your state. But know that advocacy is not a one-size-fits-all model, and that you can pick and choose the ways in which you want to make your voice heard.

You don’t have to be a politician to make a real difference in the school choice movement.

Parents for School Options is a national alliance of parents advocating for every family’s right to access quality education. Whether you’re ready to testify before your state legislature or you’re just getting started and want to learn more, there is a place for you in this movement.

Take your first step as a parent advocate by joining us.

Meet Nick. He's a retired combat veteran and a dad who refused to let the system fail his son.

John struggled with Social Separation Anxiety that made traditional school nearly impossible. When Nick enrolled him in Alabama Virtual Academy, everything changed. Today, John is a ninth-grader with a new outlook on his future.

Nick's message to policymakers: stop making education about institutions and start making it about children.

Read his full op-ed 👇
https://1819news.com/news/item/nick-limberakis-how-educational-freedom-changed-my-sons-life