Ring In the New School Year with Empathy, Equality, and Respect
Ring In the New School Year with Empathy, Equality, and Respect
The new school year is upon us, and unfortunately, it looks like it will be a very tough year. Traditionally, the start of the school year brings anxiety for students. They might be attending school for the first time or moving to a new school. Often, parents can help boost their children’s confidence to get through this transition. But this year is different. Parents might be feeling afraid themselves due to the current National policy turmoil.
With ICE raids happening in many neighborhoods across the country, people are feeling anxious. Adults are not coming to work, and some parents might decide not to send their children to school at all. So, for those who do show up for work and school, it is necessary to create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone. This year, all of us as educators, caregivers, coworkers, friends, and neighbors of those affected by the new policies must ensure that both parents and children feel they have someone on their side, for their sake and the sake of the entire Nation.
So, how can we make everyone feel welcome? We can let them know we are allies that they can depend on, and we will help protect their civil rights. We can show empathy for the fear they are feeling, which will likely go beyond the first day of school or new-to-a-job jitters. We can show an interest in and a respect for their cultures and customs. We can let them know we understand this is a nation of immigrants, and that, except for the Native Americans, our families were new to this country at one time. We celebrate the melting pot, which includes diverse cultures, such as theirs, that have shaped the United States.
Set the tone at work or on the first day of school. Make it clear that everyone is equal, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, skin color, or gender expression, and that anything less than equal treatment will not be tolerated. Plan activities that highlight and celebrate our uniqueness, while emphasizing that we are all humans deserving respect and dignity. Make sure everyone is informed of and understands their civil rights. Below are some organizations and resources that provide helpful information.
https://www.acluohio.org/teachers-helper/
https://billofrightsinstitute.org/lessons
https://constitutioncenter.org/education/classroom-resources-by-topic
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/documented-rights/education/related-plans.html
https://www.humanrights.com/request-info/united-for-human-rights-education-package.html
https://www.learningforjustice.org/what-are-the-values-of-democracy
Written by Maria Wen Adcock
Illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng
Sleeping Bear Press 2025
This book depicts the experience of a new immigrant attending school for the first time in the United States. Because her name is Chinese, the other children struggle to pronounce it and often tease her about it. But when Ai Lin explains the meaning of her name and its significance in her culture, her classmates come to understand and respect her culture. The endnotes include the author’s own experience with her Chinese name. Perfect for the beginning of the school year.
Written and illustrated by Nina Mata
Published by HarperCollins 2025
This book follows the experience of an elementary-aged Filipina girl who has recently arrived in the United States and is excited about her first day at school. However, her experience at her new school is not at all what she expected – no one else looks like her, and she feels like a stranger who does not fit in. But everything changes when she meets a new Latinx student. Even though they can’t understand each other’s spoken language, they can communicate in different ways, bonding on their shared experience as strangers in a new land. The author/illustrator makes creative use of bright colors versus gray-white tones to depict the emotions of the main character—an excellent choice for the beginning of the school year.
