School Reaches Out To ESL Families

Communities with high immigrant populations may unintentionally alienate those immigrants from events, services and education opportunities. One school decided to bridge the gap with a multicultural outreach event.

Woodland Junior High put together "Multicultural Information Night" on May 21 to help families who speak English as a second language learn about what the school -- and the community --have to offer, reported the Northwest Arkansas Times.

Details: The event included several booths representing community organizations, such as the Fayetteville Public Library, Catholic Immigration Services, the Fayetteville Police Department and more. In addition, the school set up booths to educate families about its own programs and the NorthWest Arkansas Community College participated.

As part of the event, there were Arabic, Chinese, Korean and Spanish interpreters.
Takeaway: Five families participated in the event, and coordinators hope to increase that number in next year's "Multicultural Information Night." Make sure your events are well advertised for higher head counts at your programs' events.