Embedded Files
WHO WE HELP
The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) has a strong and ongoing commitment to welcoming and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Our vision is to continue expanding our services to support all students and families, and as capacity and opportunity grow, we have been able to reach increasing numbers of students and families of various cultural, linguistic, and lived experiences.
At this time, the Multicultural Outreach (MCO) program is primarily funded through grants that are designated to serve Students with Refugee Backgrounds (SRBs). SRBs are individuals who have fled their home countries due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Many are living outside their country of origin and are in need of humanitarian protection.
Within these current funding parameters, OASD uses a collaborative, school-based approach to ensure SRBs receive comprehensive and culturally responsive support. The MCO team works closely with ESOL educators, bilingual paraprofessionals, classroom teachers, and pupil services staff to create safe, inclusive learning environments that honor each student’s story, culture, and potential.
While our funding currently guides who we can formally serve, our long-term goal remains clear: to broaden access, build partnerships, and secure additional resources so we can extend this model of support to more students and families across the district.
To ensure students thrive academically and emotionally, OASD staff receive regular professional development on trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive teaching, and inclusive classroom strategies.
One of our key initiatives, the SPARK summer program, offers focused support tailored to the needs of students. Through engaging, culturally grounded activities, SPARK fosters belonging, emotional wellness, and joy. Students build confidence, form meaningful connections, and thrive in a space where they are celebrated, supported, and empowered.
HOW WE HELP
Multicultural Outreach (MCO) walks alongside students and families as they navigate new schools, systems, and communities. Our work centers on connection, access, and belonging, ensuring every family feels seen, supported, and empowered.
Multicultural Outreach (MCO) walks alongside students and families as they navigate new schools, systems, and communities. Our work centers on connection, access, and belonging, ensuring every family feels seen, supported, and empowered.
We support in the following ways:
We support in the following ways:
Summer Programming: We run summer programming that combines academic support, recreation, field trips, and cultural connections. Students build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging in a safe, welcoming environment.
School Integration: From enrollment to daily classroom support, we help families understand school systems and expectations while advocating for culturally responsive practices that reflect students’ identities and values.
Transportation & Logistics: From transportation to translation, we remove barriers that prevent students and families from fully participating in school and community life. By coordinating rides, translating forms, and connecting families to resources—through referrals or direct donations—we help bridge gaps toward equitable, inclusive, and accessible services for all
Mentoring: We provide mentoring support across the district for students in grades K–12, as well as those transitioning into post secondary education. Mentors support academic, social-emotional, and community integration goals through a focus on health and wellness, civic engagement, and career development.
Mentoring: We provide mentoring support across the district for students in grades K–12, as well as those transitioning into post secondary education. Mentors support academic, social-emotional, and community integration goals through a focus on health and wellness, civic engagement, and career development.
Family Connection: We partner closely with parents and guardians to provide interpretation, guidance, and resources that help families feel informed, empowered, and fully welcomed in the school community.
Community Engagement: We meet students and families where they are, connecting them with resources and community partners to build a more inclusive, supportive network for all. We celebrate culture, uplift youth voices, and create spaces where students can show up fully as themselves. From heritage celebrations to youth-led initiatives, MCO is rooted in visibility, dignity, and joy.
The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is dedicated to supporting SRBs by creating inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments. Through collaboration among the MCO team, ESOL staff, teachers, and bilingual support, students receive academic, social, and emotional guidance. Programs like SPARK and staff trained in Conscious Discipline® help foster belonging, resilience, and emotional wellness. Staff use clear communication, visual aids, and empathy to ensure all students feel safe, understood, and empowered as they adjust to their new community.
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