Integration of Hispanic Population

Genuine Biblical community is inclusive. It not only permits outsiders; it harbors them. It is a place of safety and nurture where uniqueness is celebrated, not ridiculed. Vryhof, Affirmations 2.0

Facts Sixteen years ago there was not one Hispanic student at Rock Valley Community School. Sixteen years ago there was not one Hispanic student at Rock Valley Community School. Today, close to 25% of our school population is Hispanic, and judging by future enrollment numbers that percentage will increase. Today, close to 25% of our school population is Hispanic, and judging by future enrollment numbers that percentage will increase.

Positives / Negatives Positives / Negatives School and community have become more culturally aware and understanding School and community have become more culturally aware and understanding Increased work force has allowed for much expansion and progress Increased work force has allowed for much expansion and progress School enrollment has increased and continues to grow School enrollment has increased and continues to grow There is still much misunderstanding between the 2 cultures There is still much misunderstanding between the 2 cultures There is a lack of interest in the person as a whole There is a lack of interest in the person as a whole Enrollment is up but there is concern that growing class size is hurting instruction Enrollment is up but there is concern that growing class size is hurting instruction

School Concerns School’s ELL teachers are currently overwhelmed School’s ELL teachers are currently overwhelmed There is a missing connection between the school and Hispanic parents There is a missing connection between the school and Hispanic parents Motivation has become a concern, especially at the middle school and high school levels Motivation has become a concern, especially at the middle school and high school levels Hispanic students are rarely involved in extracurricular activities Hispanic students are rarely involved in extracurricular activities

School Goals Provide more help for ELL students Provide more help for ELL students Increase communication between school and home. Increase communication between school and home. Rewrite and communicate our mission better Rewrite and communicate our mission better General classroom teachers improve instruction for ELL students General classroom teachers improve instruction for ELL students

Proposed School Action Plan Add an ELL teacher and ELL aide(s) Add an ELL teacher and ELL aide(s) Begin to send all notes home in Spanish Begin to send all notes home in Spanish Make all parents aware of our mission statement, vision, and expectations Make all parents aware of our mission statement, vision, and expectations Provide better professional development on teaching ELL students in the general education setting Provide better professional development on teaching ELL students in the general education setting Become more active in getting ELL students involved in extracurricular activities Become more active in getting ELL students involved in extracurricular activities

Community Obstacles Communication Communication Cultural differences Cultural differences Hispanic community members are very insulated Hispanic community members are very insulated Caucasian community members are often disinterested in fostering these relationships Caucasian community members are often disinterested in fostering these relationships

Community Objective Improve relations between the Hispanic and Caucasian communities Improve relations between the Hispanic and Caucasian communities

Community Action Plan Conduct surveys throughout schools, churches, and places of employment to help identify areas of need Conduct surveys throughout schools, churches, and places of employment to help identify areas of need Form integration committees within the community and schools Form integration committees within the community and schools Churches begin integrating services Churches begin integrating services Establish community education classes in English and Spanish Establish community education classes in English and Spanish Provide better information to Hispanic community regarding health care, employment opportunities, housing, etc. Provide better information to Hispanic community regarding health care, employment opportunities, housing, etc.