Several months ago, we posted on this blog “a call for stories” about immigrant and refugee students. We have been blown away by all the responses! We have since taken all those stories and compiled them into a little booklet. Physical copies are also available through the print shop. Thank you to all the teachers that wrote in. I don’t believe there is another profession in America that has more daily interaction or long-term impact on immigrants than teachers. Teachers make the difference in our communities!

We’ve been distributing these booklets to lawmakers in Sacramento. On April 25th, Governing Board member Tamara Otero was invited to testify in the Education Finance Subcommittee in the California Assembly on a funding package that would distribute $5 million across the state to districts that receive large amounts of refugees. Her testimony made quite an impact on lawmakers. On May 23rd, the Subcommittee voted UNANIMOUSLY (across party lines) to approve the package, and actually increased it to $10 million! There’s still a long way to go before the funding is approved, but we’re hopeful these efforts will lead to additional funding to support our newest students. 

Tamara’s Opening Testimony is Here….

To See the Full Budget Subcommittee Hearing See Below…

Thank you to everyone who wrote in a story, and to all of you who do your part to improve the lives of our immigrant students every day. 

Eyal Bergman

Family & Community Engagement Officer