Board Gives Statement on Students’, Families’ Immigration Concerns
Des Moines Public Schools educates students who come to our state and community from around the world. In fact, this year one out of four DMPS students are English Language Learners. At their most recent meeting on December 10, the School Board shared the following statement acknowledging potential changes in immigration laws and policies are a cause of concern for some students and their families, and that the school district will do what it can to be supportive and foster an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Living in a democracy means embracing the peaceful transfer of power through elections, a cornerstone of our nation’s history. However, the intense political rhetoric from all sides during and since the election is create anxiety and uncertainty within our school community, particularly for students and families with mixed immigration status. We want to acknowledge our students and families that may have worries or concerns about what the future holds.
In 2017, in light of multiple federal executive actions negatively impacting immigrant families, Des Moines Public Schools passed a resolution to support all students and families, regardless of immigration status. As a district, we remain committed to ensuring equal protection and safeguarding our students from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin.
We understand that fear and uncertainty, especially concerning the potential deportation of family members, can significantly impact our students’ well-being, their attendance, and their ability to learn. To address these challenges, the Board is partnering with the Superintendent to ensure information, including partnerships with organizations that offer support services and access to information and legal resources, will be shared with our students and families.
Our dedication to fostering a safe and inclusive environment remains unwavering. DMPS is committed to respecting and supporting our youth and their families, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we uphold the values of inclusivity, respect, and understanding that are essential to our vibrant, diverse, amazing school community.
Vivir en una democracia significa aceptar la transferencia pacífica del poder a través de elecciones, una piedra angular de la historia de nuestra nación. Sin embargo, la intensa retórica política de todos los bandos durante desde la elección, ha estado creando ansiedad e incertidumbre dentro de nuestra comunidad escolar, en particular para los estudiantes y las familias con estatus migratorio mixto. Reconocemos que nuestros estudiantes y familias puedan tener preocupaciones sobre lo que el futuro pueda traer.
En 2017, a la luz de múltiples acciones ejecutivas federales que afectaron negativamente a las familias inmigrantes, las Escuelas Públicas de Des Moines aprobaron una resolución para apoyar a todos los estudiantes y familias, independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Como distrito, seguimos comprometidos a garantizar la igualdad de protección y salvaguardar a nuestros estudiantes de la discriminación basada en raza, etnia, ciudadanía, estatus migratorio u origen nacional.
Entendemos que el miedo y la incertidumbre, especialmente en relación con la posible deportación de miembros de la familia, pueden afectar significativamente el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes, su asistencia y su capacidad de aprender. Para abordar estos desafíos, la Junta está colaborando con el Superintendente para asegurar comunicación, incluyendo asociaciones con organizaciones que brindan servicios de apoyo y acceso a información para asegurar que esto sea compartido con nuestros estudiantes y familias.
Nuestra dedicación a fomentar un entorno seguro e inclusivo sigue siendo inquebrantable. DMPS se compromete a respetar y apoyar a nuestros jóvenes y sus familias, garantizando que cada estudiante tenga la oportunidad de prosperar. Juntos, defendemos los valores de inclusión, respeto y comprensión que son esenciales para nuestra comunidad escolar vibrante, diversa y maravillosa.