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Advocate urges Lewiston school committee to stop stereotyping immigrant students
Summary
Vianney Slainby told the Lewiston Public Schools committee that language used about immigrant students — particularly Black, brown and Muslim children — can encourage harsher discipline and fewer opportunities. She urged the committee to ensure schools are inclusive and to seek immigrant leaders' engagement.
Vianney Slainby addressed the Lewiston Public Schools School Committee during public comment on March 3, saying the committee’s language about immigrant students can create harmful mindsets that influence how those students are treated.
“I have heard the coded language used when discussing immigrant students, particularly black, brown, and Muslim children,” Slainby said. “When we associate these students with violence and disruption, we create a harmful mindset that influences how they are treated in schools and beyond.”
Slainby, who said she is an immigrant and a former Lewiston High School student, urged leaders to treat foreign‑born students with dignity and to avoid framing them as problems. She cited religious text in making her point and called for greater participation from immigrant leaders and parents at school meetings.
“I am the only black person in this room, actually,” she said, and asked community members to advocate for immigrant youth so they do not feel like outsiders in their own schools.
Slainby asked the committee to ensure that district leadership promotes inclusion, that student discipline not be used to scapegoat groups, and that schools offer equal opportunities regardless of religion, race or background.
