Kathleen Bodie, Ed.D., Arlington superintendent of schools, sent the following statement about welcoming immigrants and affirming educational equity to district parents and guardians on Thursday, April 13. She also read it to the School Committee that evening:
Recent news reports have been concerning for Arlington residents who have origins outside the United States. Arlington Public Schools is a diverse community that welcomes people who are immigrants. We also acknowledge that many may be feeling vulnerable.
At this time, we reaffirm our commitment to respecting the inherent dignity of all our students, families and staff, as well as our commitment to educational equity in a safe learning environment. Our state and national laws support this approach, as do our district’s policies and practices.
The U.S. Supreme Court in Plyer vs Doe, 1982, concluded that, “states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education on account of their immigration status.”
In Arlington, district Policy JF-E-1, 4, states “Each student, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, or limited English-speaking ability, shall have equal rights of access to courses of study and other opportunities available through the Arlington Public Schools, along with appropriate bilingual instruction and programs or other curriculum offerings of a supportive nature such as appropriate remedial programs.”
Policy GCF, 1, affirms “There will be no discrimination in the hiring process due to age, sex, creed, race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or place of residence.”
In the Arlington Public Schools, we do not ask students or families about immigration status. We also do not share personally-identifiable information, and will not in the future. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures that schools are held to this standard.
Should APS staff become aware of a student’s immigration status, it is neither our policy nor our practice to share that information with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
It is our experience and understanding that our community members from other nations enrich the education we provide, side by side with residents who have lived locally for generations. If you do have questions or concerns, please consider contacting organizations listed below that can provide advice and support.
Resources for Families
Arlington Human Rights Commission
781-316-3250
National Immigration Law Center
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
National Lawyers Guild: Know Your Rights
Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR)
This official statement, which includes opinion, was published Thursday, April 13, 2017.
DO YOU AGREE, DISAGREE? Comment below. You must include your full name as well as your connection to Arlington, Mass.
