Welcoming Crisis Migrants to School Communities

Abstract

Abstract This chapter begins with a brief overview of different types of immigrant families in our local schools. It uses the framework of Welcoming Schools to discuss ways school personnel can act as advocates and take action to help orient newcomer immigrant students to school in the United States. It will focus on newcomer immigrant students within their first 3 months in school, as a student’s initial entry point into a school can lead to a strong pathway to educational excellence and engagement in the school community. Using an asset-focused view, the chapter includes suggestions for working with both students and their families. The recommendations in this chapter illustrate specific and tangible practices that school staff can implement to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for immigrant students and their family members. It focuses on interventions at the family level, school level, and district level and highlights the need to work together to accomplish more.