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Know Your Rights: Student 4th Amendment Privacy in Schools

November 22, 2022

Imagine getting your phone searched for evidence of something you did not do. How would you feel? Should this be allowed?

Many students are unaware of their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures in school. Our panelists discussed the constitutional rights of students in schools and explored the issues of over-policing and the school-to-prison pipeline, as it relates to the 4th Amendment.

Panelists


Charity Kruzel graduated from Western New England University with a bachelor’s in psychology, participated in the 3+3 law program, and graduated from WNEU school of law in 2010. Kruzel has been an attorney with the Youth Advocacy Division for CPCS since February of 2011. Kruzel’s favorite part of her job is getting to meet new kids from all over Western Massachusetts. Charity Kruzel enjoys spending time with her two children, Lucas and Hannah, cooking, reading, and watching old movies.


Judge Jay Blitzman served as the First Justice of the Middlesex Division of the Juvenile Court, sitting in Lowell. Prior to his 24 year judicial career, Judge Blitzman was the founder and director of the Roxbury Youth Advocacy Project which became the basis for creating the statewide Youth Advocacy Division for Massachusetts’ public defender agency. He is currently the executive director of Massachusetts Advocates for Children. He also holds teaching positions at Harvard Law School, Northeastern Law School, and Boston College Law School. Judge Blitzman also serves on the faculty of the Center for Law Brain and Behavior and is an affiliate of the Boston University Center for Anti Racist Research. Judge Blitzman is a recipient of the ABA Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award and the state’s public agency presents the Jay Blitzman Award for Youth Advocacy annually. Judge Blitzman is a long-time supporter champion and supporter of Discovering Justice, having helped bring their programming to Lowell.


Mary Landergan taught Constitutional Law, Entertainment Law and an Intellectual Property Clinic at Northeastern Law School. Landergan also served as Counsel at Rich May PC. Earlier in her career, she worked as an attorney at CBS and ABC in NYC.

Alexandra

Alexandra vonBallmoos

Alex has over fifteen years of administrative experience, most recently at Boston Schools Fund. Prior to her time at BSF, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Head of School at Mother Caroline Academy, where she also provided major support to the Development office. Before her time at MCA, Alex served as an assistant at a media firm in Washington, DC.

This role oversees financial operations such as reconciliations, expense tracking, payroll, and donor acknowledgments, while managing organizational systems, employee records, and meeting coordination. It also provides event logistics, Board support, and office management, ensuring efficient processes, accurate recordkeeping, and the successful execution of programs, operations, and special events like the annual Spring Gala.

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan has spent nearly her entire 20+ year career dedicated to providing students with access to high-quality education experiences that lead to strong academic outcomes. She brings extensive and diverse experiences as a teacher, school administrator, funder, and nonprofit professional. Rana is committed to Discovering Justice’s mission to enable students to become well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to build and sustain an equitable democracy.

Prior to Discovering Justice, Rana spent seven years at Boston Schools Fund, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. She co-led the development of the organization’s second fund, and ensured its operationalization across the organization. Previously, Rana played pivotal roles at organizations such as Salsify, Phoenix Charter Academy, The Achievement Network, and Roxbury Prep Charter School. Rana graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mehana Koch

Mehana Koch is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Psychology. She joined Discovering Justice excited to learn about nonprofit operations and support an organization whose mission uplifts and empowers future engaged citizens.

At Discovering Justice, Mehana enjoys supporting both the administrative and fundraising needs of the organization. Her day-to-day work includes processing donations, reconciling accounting information, and maintaining a strong database. She also has played a large role in onboarding new staff and supporting large organization-wide events, such as the Annual Gala.

Bianca Lora

Bianca Lora is passionate about expanding access to civic education, uplifting historically underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where young people can grow as informed and active members of their communities. With a background spanning across organizing, policy, and fundraising, she brings a collaborative spirit to the work.

Prior to this role, she led cross-departmental initiatives for donors at the ACLU of Massachusetts, including its 800-person annual gala. Bianca has also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for a Councilmember At-Large in Montgomery County, Maryland where she oversaw a legislative portfolio on government operations, economic development, public safety and social justice issues. She also launched an organizing campaign alongside the adjunct faculty at Prince George’s Community College with SEIU.