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District staff and community describe fear among immigrant families; administration details training and 'know your rights' workshops
Summary
Staff and parents described immigrant families' fear after recent federal immigration actions; administrators outlined steps the district has taken since passing a 'safe-and-welcoming' resolution — communications, site protocols, and multiple "know your rights" workshops in Spanish and English with Latino Network.
At the Sept. 11 David Douglas School Board meeting, staff and community members described fear and trauma among immigrant families and urged the board to maintain clear protections under the district's safe-and-welcoming resolution.
Neli Nunez, an assistant-principal secretary and first-generation immigrant, said she has been "a safe space for many students" who fear separation from family because of immigration enforcement. "We must continue to stand strong in protecting the same people who contribute to our schools," she said.
Oscar Campos, an assistant principal, said placing portraits or bulletin-board representations of Latino families is not enough; he asked the district to create "a wall of hope" and more substantive supports so students "are not just surviving, but thriving." Paloma Rendon (read by Andreina Velasco) recounted being separated from a parent by immigration enforcement and said schools must act to protect children from trauma.
District staff reported concrete steps taken since the resolution passed earlier this year. The administration said it issued districtwide communications to families and staff, produced site-specific protocols for administrators and supervisors, held virtual office hours for managers, and partnered with Latino Network to offer eight "know your rights" workshops (four in Spanish, three in person and one virtual) plus youth-focused sessions. Administration also said it has been updating an online family-resource page and hosting monthly community hours with partners.
An audio testimony played at the meeting recounted a Venezuelan parent whose partner was detained after an immigration appointment and was transferred to Tacoma, leaving the parent alone with three children.
Board members praised the district's outreach and requested more opportunities for board members and staff to attend community events. Staff said the district will host a community-partner summit on Sept. 26 to share protocols with community organizations and invited board participation.
The district emphasized it cannot control federal immigration enforcement but said it can implement consistent campus protocols, provide staff training, and connect families with legal-rights information and partners; the board asked administration to share opportunities for in-person engagement across elementary through high school.
