Written by Hannah Werth, Refugee Education Center

As our community prepares to integrate an influx of newly resettled refugees in West Michigan, how can our school districts show welcome to these students? 

The number of new refugee students is expected to grow substantially this year due to a convergence of three major shifts in the national and global landscape: COVID-related travel restrictions are easing, Afghans who were evacuated in August are now making their way to final destinations in the US, and the maximum number of refugees admitted to the US this year is a ten-fold increase over last year’s total arrivals. 

The Refugee Education Center has been supporting these students and their families since 2006 through a variety of services including school orientations and liaison services, peer mentorship and tutoring programs, and dual-language early childhood programs.  

Building Awareness Together

The Kent ISD, in partnership with the Refugee Education Center, has been hosting Professional Development opportunities this fall called “Afghan Arrivals: What Schools Need to Know.” The goal is to help schools understand the needs and work to create welcome for all refugee students. This training focuses heavily on Afghan Arrivals, who are already arriving in West Michigan, and culturally relevant content to better prepare teachers to work with this new group. 

West Michigan has a strong history of welcoming and integrating refugee students into our school districts. A few local districts have partnered with the Refugee Education Center to host tutoring and peer support groups in their buildings. Other districts have brought Professional Development sessions directly to their entire staff to ensure everyone is prepared to demonstrate a culturally relevant welcome. Others are coordinating student welcome committees or parental involvement opportunities.

Read more in a recent School News Network article, “Area schools prepare for the arrival of Afghan refugees.“

Providing Supports and Resources

Students and families are expected to arrive in urban, suburban, and rural districts throughout the school year. As your school prepares to welcome these students, consider connecting with the Refugee Education Center and Kent ISD to ease the transition.

Refugee Education Center

Ask for support, sign up to receive updates, and find out how you can get more involved at https://refugeeeducationcenter.org/newneighbors

Kent ISD

Contact Casey Gordon, Supervisor of Special Populations at Kent ISD

#Refugee #AfghanArivals #WestMichigan #SpecialPops #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Hannah Werth - Program Coordinator, School Engagement for the Refugee Education Center. The post was edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Development Coordinator and Sara Sefcik, PD Hub Intern at Kent ISD.