Refugees, a subset of second language learners in the Richardson ISD

Richardson ISD’s Newcomer Center ideally is the first education-related stop for all families who speak a language other than English at home; 74 languages recognized by the Texas Administration Agency are spoken at RISD campuses plus an additional 15 other languages/ dialects, says Sara Fox, compliance coordinator for second language learners in RISD. Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Amharic and Urdu are the five most spoken this school year.

Accommodating second language learners has been a major priority for the district since 2001, when its Newcomer Center opened.

When enrollment papers indicate that a language other than English is spoken at home, an appointment is scheduled at the Newcomer Center. Experts there evaluate the situation, both for educational and counseling needs, which has become essential with the influx of refugee or asylee students — 1,059 so far this year compared to 1,038 in 2015-2016 and 949 in 2014-2015 — who have experienced war or lived their lives in camps.

The newcomer center’s Casamayor-Ryan says it’s important to make second language speakers entering RISD feel welcome.

“That first impression here at the Newcomer Center is so important to letting them know we are helping them. We want them to have cognitive, social and emotional needs met while maintaining dignity, allowing them to feel included.”

The Newcomer Center staff tries to glean as much information as possible about students’ education and experiences so they can pass that information along to teachers and counselors at the campus they will attend, Casamayor-Ryan says.

They might be referred to the RISD clothing closet, where families who have lost their belongings can secure clothes and other necessities for their students.

RISD spokesman Tim Clark says he cannot speak for the refugee resettlement organizations and how they place families, but the fact that Lake Highlands is lined with high-density apartment communities means there is more housing for refugee families. Thus, Lake Highlands schools accommodate a fair share of these students.

Specialists trained to teach second language learners move about the district, Casamayor-Ryan says.

Eva Wallace, who is in charge of translation services throughout RISD, says it has been a busy year, “especially as word gets out about our services.” The district placed signs at every campus and even at local hospitals to let parents know that interpretation services are available for school-related matters, she says.

“On the first day of school, four Arabic speaking mothers were trying to enroll their children but they were not sure how to proceed,” says Sarah Greenman, PTA president at Skyview Elementary.

Through earlier talks with District 10 City Councilman

Adam McGough, she had met Richland College students who could translate Hindi, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and Spanish. Greenman gave a number to the Skyview principal, who called one of the student translators at 7:30 that morning and, she says, one little girl’s face flashed a smile when she heard a person on the line speaking her language, Arabic.

The little girl was missing a leg, Greenman says.

“The children we sent into class are missing fingers and other parts of their hands. They, like hundreds of thousands of others, lived through the bombing of their home in Syria.”

Greenman is fundraising for an ancillary translation initiative for schools such as Skyview, where 10 to 12 languages are spoken on campus.

Wallace says the district is working with the business arm of Catholic Charities to keep the translators available, and RISD’s communication department is making an effort to get the word out.

With almost 40,000 students and 10,000 second language learners — 10 percent of those refugees — the Newcomer Center and its small staff entrusts the welfare of families and students to individual campuses.

Wallace Elementary, for example, hosts a large population of refugee students from Burma, sometimes by way of Thai refugee camps. Teachers such as Saw and Nick help make the transition easier for students and their families.

Looking back on the trip they took to visit Saw’s former refugee camp home, Nick says it helped her better understand specific needs of the students and families new to America.

“Since our return, we have been able to share our stories, observations, pictures, and video with the staff at Wallace, principals in RISD and at Region 10 training,” Nick says. “We have been able to create an awareness that will hopefully impact educators and students even outside of Wallace.”

And the benefit to Americanborn classmates of being exposed to other cultures and distant-seeming global situations cannot be ignored, Casamayor-Ryan says.

“The movement of people is and will continue increasing, and putting a face to it, meeting people, creates a refined sense of empathy and helps a student grow.”

Casamayor-Ryan’s daughter is friends with a girl whose parents are from Ghana and who speaks Italian.

“Here is this big family who has put extraordinary effort into one child’s education. She is in AVID [a college-track program in RISD high schools] and works hard, values her education — it’s the finest example of a child I’d want sitting next to my own at school.”

Carol Toler contributed to the reporting.

Dallas Academy

950 Tiffany Way, Dallas 75218 / 214.324.1481 / dallas-academy.com Founded in 1965, Dallas Academy’s mission is to restore the promise of full academic enrichment to students with learning differences in grades 1-12. A meaningful connection with each student is established to overcome barriers to success. Dallas Academy offers students an effective program and strategies to meet the special educational needs of bright students with learning differences, while including the activities of a larger, more traditional school. Classes are small, with a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1 where students are encouraged, praised, and guided toward achieving their goals. Diagnostic testing is available to students throughout the community.

Highlander School

9120 Plano Rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www.highlanderschool.com Founded in 1966, Highlander offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. By limiting class size, teachers are able to build a strong educational foundation to ensure confidence in academics, athletics, and the creative and performing arts. Highlander offers a “classic” education which cannot be equaled. Monthly tours offered; call for a reservation.

Lakehill Preparatory School

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep.org

Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

The Lamplighter School

11611 Inwood Road Dallas TX 75229/ 214-369-9201/ thelamplighterschool.org Lamplighter delivers serious education wrapped in the wonder of childhood. The Pre-K through fourth grade years are fleeting, but filled with pure potential. What we, as parents and educators, ignite in these primary years establishes the trajectory of a child’s future. Lamplighter helps set children on a path toward rewarding lives as forever learners. The independent, co-educational school promotes academic excellence through innovative curriculum that merges fine arts with language arts, math, environmental science, social studies, physical education, and Spanish

Spanish House

Four East Dallas Locations / 214.826.4410/ DallasSpanishHouse.com Spanish Immersion Program in East Dallas! Nursery, Preschool, Elementary and Adult Programs available. Our new dual-language elementary campus is now open at 7159 E. Grand Ave. Please visit our website at DallasSpanishHouse.com for more information.

White Rock North School

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410 / WhiteRockNorthSchool. com 6 Weeks through 6th Grade. Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Characterbuilding and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and stateof-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus.

Zion Lutheran School

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service.St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.