Digital resources are transforming communication for Oshkosh Area Board of Education, as officials highlight the growing need for support among students from refugee backgrounds. During a recent meeting, educators discussed the implementation of new tools like the Talking Points app, which translates messages from English to languages such as Arabic and Swahili, aiming to enhance engagement with families.

The meeting underscored a significant increase in the number of students from refugee backgrounds, attributed to the current presidential administration's rise in the refugee ceiling to 125,000. This policy shift has led to a surge in enrollment, with numbers climbing from 661 last year to 806 by the end of the meeting day. The district is experiencing a welcoming influx of diverse cultures, which officials believe is partly due to the inviting nature of the Oshkosh community and its educational institutions.

However, this growth has placed considerable strain on existing resources. Educators are calling for increased staffing, particularly for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers and bilingual paraprofessionals. Currently, the district has only a part-time ESOL teacher serving multiple sites, which is insufficient to meet the needs of 57 dual language learners.

The discussion highlighted the urgent need for additional support to ensure that students receive the rapid intervention and immersion they require. As the district embraces this diversity, the call for more resources reflects a commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment that can effectively support all students.