Newcomer families can experience a vast array of emotions and issues when adjust
ID: 3465082 • Letter: N
Question
Newcomer families can experience a vast array of emotions and issues when adjusting to their new environment. There can be many emotionally-chargercircumstances affecting the children and their ability to do well in school. What are some common characteristics of these families and their communities and how can we support them in the classroom environment? Newcomer families can experience a vast array of emotions and issues when adjusting to their new environment. There can be many emotionally-chargercircumstances affecting the children and their ability to do well in school. What are some common characteristics of these families and their communities and how can we support them in the classroom environment?Explanation / Answer
Some characteristics of Newcomer families are
When newcomer students and their families enter US, they must become familiar with their new country’s culture and customs as well as a new school system and its myriad structures, expectations and legal requirements. Children who are international adoptees or unaccompanied youth may also be adjusting to life in a new family or home environment.
Welcoming newcomers into a school community necessitates empathy and understanding of the unique challenges faced by newcomers and their families. It also necessitates an understanding of the benefits of creating environments that are inclusive, informing, welcoming, and conducive to full participation and academic success for all students. Often, the challenge of negotiating, navigating, and becoming part of a school falls solely on the newcomer. A more effective integration approach is one in which the school staff, the surrounding community, families, and students collaborate to share that responsibility. For all newcomers, being welcomed by school representatives who are culturally competent and communicate in a language the students and parents understand (whether in spoken or written form) is key.