Welcoming families from around the world.
Receiving any family into a new and strange environment
is unsettling for both parties – the family and the professional in the school
setting, but more is expected from the professional to make the school
responsive and warm for the family. From my knowledge of perspectives of
diversity and equity, every family is unique and every individual is also
unique with various identities. I will
likely do the following to respond and receive the new family appropriately.
I assume that my new family is coming in from ‘Malaysia’
1. I
will do a check on the website of their country of origin to understand their
background, culture, music, food, festivals, family orientation and values.
This will help me to familiarize myself with who they are, their customs, way
of life and what their expectations might likely be.
2. I
will prepare some information package for them to receive on arrival which will
provide basic information about the city, the school set up, including staff
and curriculum and the attractions around town. Shopping information for
groceries, security and police matters and where to find assistance, should
anything go wrong.
3. I
will arrange for them to meet families from their country of origin as quickly
as possible. If it is allowed, the family may meet them at the airport or soon
after arrival, to make them feel comfortable in the new community.
4. Language
is powerful connection with people. I will pick some basic words of their Bahasa
Malaysia language like – greetings, short conversations to be able to connect
with them if they are not English speaking.
5. I
will plan a ‘new parents’ forum’. This will bring together other new families
to share their experiences and connect with each other. At the forum,
information about the school will be shared and invitations will be given out
for parents to participate in the cultural fiesta of the school, where
importance of individual culture is shared. They will be encouraged to bring
along individual elements or emblems of their culture to share with the class
.
I hope that with the level of preparation which is
directed at meeting their specific family needs, they will feel welcomed and have
a sense of belonging.
Our preparation will help their settling in very easy
without any fear. They will know that their family is valued and their unique difference
is accepted and celebrated. When they meet with other parents from other
places, they will see that they are not alone.
Hi Mercy,
ReplyDeleteI really love some of these ideas. Creating a new parents forum is a great way for individuals to meet. It is a chance for everyone to reach out, make friends, and even arrange carpool and activities. However it may be difficult for this new family if they do not speak English. They may not come for fear of not being understood. If there are language barriers, there are ways we can gather the interests of families,and have them expressed.
I also really liked your idea of a welcome package. Perhaps all new parents can obtain a welcome package, but each can be modified to suit each families' needs. For example, a family who speaks French will have their documents written in French, and may contain locations or activities for French speakers. All parents can recieve information about the school, local parks, public transit and even a calendar for the school.
Amy,
DeleteThank you for these input and wonderful insights.I agree that language may be a major barrier but like you said, speakers of the same language may be organized to get together, it will bridge some gaps.
Mercy,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog this week, I really love some of your ideas. I agree with you lanuage will be a major barrier but with time and the great thing you have planned for the family it will all come together.
Dear Mercy,
ReplyDeleteGood ideas! I really found that including information about the local area for this family was a nice thoughtful addition.