I am the director of a hospital affiliated child care center. I have received word that we have enrolled a new child whose family has just immigrated from Mauritania. I have never heard of the country of Mauritania so I have some work to do before and as we welcome the new family.
Before the family arrives:
1) I will find Mauritania on a map to determine where in the world it is.
2) I will do an Internet search to determine the languages used in Mauritania. I will need to determine the dominant language and if there are other commonly used languages. Using this information I will attempt to find a translating service that can translate our required paperwork into the language used in Mauritania. Understanding the family may prefer to receive information in spoken form I will also locate a person to act as an interpreter.
3) I will do some reading about Mauritania to gain some current and historical context of the country. I will also read about common education practices in the country.
4) I will create a list of common words and phrases used in Mauritania for the teachers to use with the new child.
When I meet the family:
5) I will hold a meeting with the family including an interpreter to welcome and get to know the family. I will ask them about their hopes and dreams for their child as they enter the new learning environment. I will ask about the child's strengths and challenges, like and dislikes, and other information they believe is important.
6) I will take a photo of the family to post in our family exhibition. I will ask the family to share with us photos of the child they have from home.
7) I will ask the family how they prefer to get and share information.
8) I will schedule a home visit so to connect with the family in an informal setting where they may be more comfortable to gain knowledge of student's home life and cultural background.
9) I will invite the family to come spend time in the classroom with the teacher and other children to begin to learn about our school and support their child's transition to the new environment.
10) I will make sure the family knows about and is invited to our family - school learning nights so they may begin to be a part of the school family and learn about the program and practices we embrace.
11) I will connect with family both formally and informally at regular intervals to continue to build a positive relationship and make sure their needs are being met.
It is my hope that through preparation and
communication I will begin to build a trusting respectful relationship with the
family from Mauritania so that together we can support their child's transition
into a new environment. I hope to act as an escort for the child and their
family from their home culture to a place of understanding how to live and
function in the education system of the United States so they may thrive and
become a productive contributing adult.
Hi Betsy, I love the responses that you have given. I think that it is very thoughtful at the fact that you decided to make sure that you include the family by making sure that they know information that will be useful and beneficial to them. You did a great job on your post. I really enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, again-we would do so many of the same things! I love that you are doing a home visit. These are always so valuable and help connect everyone on deeper level-great suggestion. Carolyn
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy, I enjoyed reading your post. You educated me as well. I too had never heard of Marituania until reading your post. I think you have some wonderful ideas and ways to gathering information about your prospective student. Very well written post.
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