Help registering refugee students

[Anonymous]

Hello, I’m helping to register two newly arrived Afghan students in MCPS middle and high school.
I don’t live in MD and am wondering if anyone has helpful info on this process. I’m working with an NGO that connected me to help this family as their case worker has not yet responded to them (there is a backlog) and the kids have not yet been put in school.
I saw the MCPS site about registration and it says to go through the local school. Should I call them on Jan 3 or go in person? Do the parents need to come?
Parents do not speak English. I have their needed documents to register.
Thank you so much for any tips you might have about the enrollment process especially for immigrant students who don’t speak English.

[Anonymous]

Schools are closed right now. On January 3, call the counseling office at their local school to make an appointment. Ask them what documents they will need to bring with them, and go with them if you can. Otherwise they will also need a translator. If you name the school, someone might know the point of contact's name.

[Anonymous]

They have an office for international arrivals. Check out this page: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/studentservices/schooling/iae.aspx

There is also a number at the bottom, but I don’t think anyone will be working until Jan 3rd.

[Anonymous]

Be aware that there is a huge backlog right now, because new arrivals need to be assessed for ELL support. Definitely do what the PPs said, and get on the list, but be aware that the students likely will not be able to begin school for a few weeks.

Thanks for doing this, OP.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much. Schools are Montgomery Village MS and Watkins Mill HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that there is a huge backlog right now, because new arrivals need to be assessed for ELL support. Definitely do what the PPs said, and get on the list, but be aware that the students likely will not be able to begin school for a few weeks.

Thanks for doing this, OP.

This. We start a new semester on Tuesday January 25. That’s when they want to start school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much. Schools are Montgomery Village MS and Watkins Mill HS.

Those are diverse, welcoming schools. Good luck to the students!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for doing this OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that there is a huge backlog right now, because new arrivals need to be assessed for ELL support. Definitely do what the PPs said, and get on the list, but be aware that the students likely will not be able to begin school for a few weeks.

Thanks for doing this, OP.

Yes, our church sponsored a family, and it took a few months to get the kids in school. Like 1-2. I wasn't directly involved with registering, so sorry I'm not more helpful. We took turns engaging the kids playing games etc while they were waiting for school to help them w/ English.

Thank you for doing this!

[Anonymous]

While you're waiting for the school to do its thing, make sure that they are up to date on all their childhood vaccinations and have documentation of such. They won't be allowed to start school without it. There are many clinics that accept medicaid if they need to be (re)vaccinated.

[Anonymous]

This is all such helpful advice. Thank you! That’s especially good to know when the new semester starts and that it will take them some time before they can actually attend. I was imagining they could start week of Jan 3...!
That’s a great idea to take turns working on English with them before they start.
Thank you all! <B

[Anonymous]

I’ve done a lot of refugee assistance for the past 10 years. When you meet with them dress modestly (no bare legs and shoulders, not low cut). Plan to sit and hang out with them for awhile before they start pulling out paperwork they don’t understand and ask for help. They may need help to make medical appointments and transportation to get there. Go over kitchen appliances — disposal, fridge, oven (teach you don’t store perishables in the oven). Feminine hygiene products greatly appreciated, plus soap and shampoo. These things cost money but aren’t covered by food stamps. Happy to help if you have an additional questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While you're waiting for the school to do its thing, make sure that they are up to date on all their childhood vaccinations and have documentation of such. They won't be allowed to start school without it. There are many clinics that accept medicaid if they need to be (re)vaccinated.

Umm, of course they will. Only US kids need to show proof.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve done a lot of refugee assistance for the past 10 years. When you meet with them dress modestly (no bare legs and shoulders, not low cut). Plan to sit and hang out with them for awhile before they start pulling out paperwork they don’t understand and ask for help. They may need help to make medical appointments and transportation to get there. Go over kitchen appliances — disposal, fridge, oven (teach you don’t store perishables in the oven). Feminine hygiene products greatly appreciated, plus soap and shampoo. These things cost money but aren’t covered by food stamps. Happy to help if you have an additional questions.

Op is not local so I doubt she will be working with them in this capacity. It is odd to me that there is no local assitance to be coordinating with them rather than a distant person who is relying on DCUM for info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve done a lot of refugee assistance for the past 10 years. When you meet with them dress modestly (no bare legs and shoulders, not low cut). Plan to sit and hang out with them for awhile before they start pulling out paperwork they don’t understand and ask for help. They may need help to make medical appointments and transportation to get there. Go over kitchen appliances — disposal, fridge, oven (teach you don’t store perishables in the oven). Feminine hygiene products greatly appreciated, plus soap and shampoo. These things cost money but aren’t covered by food stamps. Happy to help if you have an additional questions.

Op is not local so I doubt she will be working with them in this capacity. It is odd to me that there is no local assitance to be coordinating with them rather than a distant person who is relying on DCUM for info.

I assumed OP was in DC and the newly arrived family was assigned to MD. It's not that hard to imagine that someone volunteered to help in DC but their assigned family ended up in either NoVA or Maryland.