“Much of what schools want to convey is that students are not in peril when they are on campus.
Student absences do not appear to have spiked in recent weeks, but Nora Morales, diversity officer in the Prince George’s school system, said the district wants to make sure that families understand educators do not ask about immigration status and would not share such information if they knew it.
‘My primary concern is that our school community knows our schools are safe spaces and that students will be valued, respected and welcomed,’ she said. ‘There are a lot of unanswered questions about immigration reform. One thing remains constant: If kids don’t show up to school, they won’t learn.'”
As a Judge, my advice to youth coming before me was: “Go to school, study hard, get all the education that you possibly can. However your case comes out, your education belongs to you. Nobody can take it away from you, and it will make your life better.” I usually asked them about their grades, as well as their extracurricular activities. If there were any below “B,” I made them promise to improve. Most of them brought their report cards showing improvement to the next hearing. I also told them they needed to help their parents around the house.
Many of them had parents working two jobs. The older kids were basically in charge of the household, in addition to going to school, and often playing soccer, playing in the band, or being in the science club. Remarkable young people.
PWS
12/27/16