The San Francisco Unified School District board of education this week unanimously approved a resolution that will commit resources to both the short- and long-term needs of unaccompanied immigrant children enrolling in schools within the district.
According to the resolution passed by the board Tuesday, incoming unaccompanied immigrant students will be offered support through what SFUSD officials call Newcomer Pathways, a program offering transitional and intensive academic support along with resources and referrals to critical social services, district officials said.
“At SFUSD we welcome the privilege to educate all children, regardless of their immigration situation,” board president Sandra Lee Fewer said in a statement.
Recent figures show that 250 additional students have enrolled in the Newcomer Pathways program compared to last year, according to the SFUSD.
San Francisco International, a high school at 1050 York St. specifically designed for immigrant English learners, has also seen a recent jump in the percentage of unaccompanied immigrant children, SFUSD officials said.
The district plans to collaborate with other city departments and school partners to provide legal, housing and other social services the new students may need.
Andrew Dickey, Bay City News