CA schools urged to create more welcoming environment

With harassment and bullying on the rise after the presidential election, California schools are being asked to make their campuses more inclusive.

Eduardo Ramos, an immigrant and parent, said he is anxious about what the future holds for him and his family.

“It’s a little more difficult to believe in politicians and especially in Donald Trump,” said Ramos.

To help ease concerns for Ramos and other immigrants, state superintendent of public instruction Tom Torlakson, issued a letter earlier this week to more than 10,000 California Public Schools strongly encouraging them to declare their campuses as safe havens for students and their parents to learn.

“In order for a child to soar and grow in their educational experience they need to first and foremost feel safe,” said Dr. Nancy Kotowski, Monterey County School Superintendent.

In the letter, Torlakson said parents should know they are welcome on school campuses regardless of their citizenship and that families should be educated about existing laws protecting them and their students’ immigration status. Monterey County education officials said they’re upholding those requests.

“A child is verified as to their guardianship, their residency and their age,” said Kotowski. “Those are the only kinds of records that would be released to the public. The schools do not retain any kind of documentation regarding a child’s legal status.”

Kotowski also said a major initiative is underway to combat bullying on campuses and in communities.

“Because bullying can occur at every level and the example is set by the adults and the kind of behavior and respect that we have for all people.”

Ramos said he is an agreement with some of the measures being taken to protect immigrant students and their parents. He also feels school districts should implement more education about embracing cultural differences.

“It’s a nation of immigrants and so we should learn to accept and learn from eachother and recognize our own biases as well,” said Ramos.

Sacramento and Los Angeles Unified School Districts are just a few other school declaring themselves as safe havens.