DENVER (KDVR) — Over 3,000 new students have enrolled in Denver Public Schools classrooms since the start of the school year. That’s an average of about 100 new students a week district wide.
“We have never welcomed new arrivals at this rate,” said Adrienne Endres, executive director of multilingual education for DPS.
Despite this volume, Endres said under no circumstances would they turn a child away from an education.
“We have seen a lot of schools get completely full and completely overwhelmed. So, when that happens, we never say, ‘Sorry, kiddo. You can’t come to school’. We say ‘Hey, we’ve got a similar program down the street. We’ll get you on a bus. We’ll get you in some kind of transportation and get you there,’” Endres said.
District has classroom space, needs more staff
In 20 separate cases, the district said they were bussing students to a different school because a classroom at their neighborhood school was full. This process takes an increasing number of resources too, like drivers and fuel.
Endres said the recent declining enrollment post-pandemic is actually working in their favor.
“We have physical space. We are getting creative with how we use physical space,” said Endres.
Though they have the space for students, what they need is the staff.
“It has proven, I think, difficult even just to get candidates into that door,” said Daniel Barks.
Barks is the principal at Montclair who says he is proud to be the leader of one of the most diverse schools in DPS. He knows hiring is the biggest challenge.
More newcomer centers needed at Montclair
“When you hear a newcomer in multiple languages, it can be kind of intimidating, right? Like, ‘Oh my gosh, how do I do that?’ How do I support students that I don’t even communicate the same language,” Barks said.
Montclair Elementary in east Denver is opening up new classrooms for new arrivals. They call them newcomer centers.
“Now, we have over 20 different languages spoken within the school. So, welcoming and adding newcomers is really already a part of our DNA. Adding this newcomer program just fit really well into our school dynamics,” said Barks.
To qualify to be in a newcomer center, students have to be new to the country and have missed at least six months of schooling.
Students are in the newcomer class for a minimum of two semesters. After that, they can decide to assimilate into a traditional classroom or stay, based on academic and English proficiency levels.
Right now, at Montclair, first through fifth grades are all together so an additional teacher is needed to break up grade levels.
“I think one of the beautiful things in this position is the fact that you get to learn and embrace other cultures and learn about your own identity, their identity, and how you all work together to create this really beautiful and special classroom and special environment,” said Barks.
DPS working with community to help migrant families
On top of that, students are facing their own trauma, and social-emotional supports are needed not only for students but also for parents.
“We’re just getting families just showing up and registering and getting to talk and hear a little bit about their stories. You hear this culture shock of not only the cold, not only it’s a different culture and a different language and even just trying to go to the store and buy basic necessities for the family and how much more expensive things are. The challenges and the stress. They have temporary housing for only X amount of days and trying to get their kids enrolled in a school and trying to afford food and trying to figure out housing. You know, there is a lot on their plate in that moment,” said Barks.
To help alleviate some stress, Barks said the schools are working with community resources to help parents get on their feet.
“This a challenge no one predicted and a challenge none of us were quite ready for, but it’s a challenge that we are embracing and trying to do, right,” said Endres.
Not everyone is accepting of the new arrivals, though.
Endres said in some cases, parents have left schools due to the number of migrant students. She said ultimately all parents have the choice to do what’s best for their student.