Wondering how to support your school’s immigrant families? Come learn from a district MLL/ELL lead on the initiatives she’s led successfully for her schools! This session will highlight how schools can support immigrant families through initiatives like Newcomer Parent University and the Newcomer Ambassador role. Participants will learn how these programs help families navigate the U.S. education system, build advocacy skills, and foster a sense of belonging. Real-life examples will showcase strategies to strengthen school-family partnerships, empower student leaders, and celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to implement or enhance similar programs in their own schools and districts.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand how Newcomer Parent University equips immigrant families with essential resources and advocacy tools
- Explore how Newcomer Ambassadors foster peer support and leadership among multilingual learners
- Develop strategies to create welcoming, culturally responsive school environments and strengthen school-family partnerships
Facilitator: Dr. Estrella Olivares-Orellana