Welcoming Newcomer Families

A space for educators to discuss and share resources on how to welcome newcomer families to school districts.

To create a central community space for MA school districts for consolidating available information.

  • Current Events
  • Inclusive Climate
  • Cultural & Language Access
  • Parent-Led Groups  
  • Feedback

Share new and relevant newcomer resources  

Utilize discussion boards for ongoing issues and making connections

To ​increase knowledge on immigration & refugee backgrounds
To put in practice strategies for classrooms, designs, & partnerships​
To instill an achievement-oriented & relationships-focused mindset in school settings​
How do we create belonging?
Through the "Belonging Diagram," we aim to assess newcomer family needs through a series of 4 milestones:

  • Understanding Context
  • Accessing Basic Needs
  • Respecting Language & Culture
  • Partnering with Communities 


We refer to each of these circles on the Venn Diagram as milestones because they are important goals to keep in mind while we assess what families need and what we can provide. All four equally impact the way that belonging is instilled in school climates.

As you walk through the following forum, you will be guided by the Belonging Diagram. How can we think about these milestones as action items, and how can we assess where we land currently with our newcomer families on this diagram?
Patrick Jones - Course author

What do school leaders & educators need to know to be informed partners ​
in immigrant children's education?​

What do schools and families need?

What is the next step that you will be taking to ​
ensure that your classroom, school, and district ​
are on the right path to partnering with immigrant ​
families in an inclusive way? ​

How are the specifics of your students' background going to contribute to how you consider these solutions? ​