Students with Refugee Status
San Diego Unified School District welcomes newly arrived refugee students and families who enhance the vibrant diversity of our schools.
San Diego is home to Five Refugee Resettlement Agencies. The majority of San Diego refugees settle and attend schools in the San Diego Unified School District.
SDUSD has The Office of Children and Youth in Transition (through Cal NEW and RSI funding) supports the success of refugee youth with tutoring and connections to resources in the community offered through Ethnic Based Community Organizations, such as Nile Sisters and Karen Organization of San Diego. Tutoring specifically focuses on newcomer refugee youth. Alliance for African Assistance- Global Village also provides interpretation support services. International Rescue Committee provides many opportunities for high school refugee youth to become involved in the school and community through participation in Peacemakers, leadership council and other events scheduled throughout the year.
This summer, CYT will be offering tutoring for refugee youth.
June is Refugee Awareness Month & Immigrant Heritage Month
"Each year on June 20, the world celebrates World Refugee Day. This year, the focus will be on the right to seek safety.
Every person on this planet has a right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from and whenever they are forced to flee."
Resources for recent refugees
Resources for SDUSD schools supporting newcomer families
PADLET for schools Welcoming Newcomer Afghan Families
Do you know any family members of refugee students wanting to learn/improve their english skills?
Students may enroll by making an appointment for an in-person registration session or an online registration session, www.sdcce.edu/esl
Solar Installation Flyer .pdfSolar Installation Training and Career Program
For those with Refugee or Special Immigrant Visa
No experience necessary
Interested clients can email SD.CareerPrograms@rescue.org for more information
Free Construction Career Jumpstart Electrical Pre-Apprentice Program Flyer.pdfFree Construction Career Jumpstart Electrical Pre-Apprentice Program
For those with Refugee or Special Immigrant Visa
No experience necessary
Interested clients can email SD.CareerPrograms@rescue.org for more information
Encourage those with refugee or immigrant status to access help using these Mental Health Support Lines, fliers on the left in order:
Kiswahili Swahili
Soomaali Somali
Pashto پښتو
Kreyòl ayisyen Haitian Creole
دری Dari
العربية Arabic
አማርኛ Amharic
Somali Family Services' ongoing programs:
Resources for Teachers and School Personnel
Refugee Awareness Resources for Teachers
General Information
Cultural Information
Backgrounder on Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Cultural Orientation Resource Center | Center for Applied Linguistics
Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE)
Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) (Bridging Refugee Youth and Children Services)
Newcomer Toolkit (U.S. Department of Education, 2016)
Toolkit for Schools
Refugee Children in U.S. Schools: A Toolkit for Teachers and School Personnel
Tool 1: The Birthdates of Refugee Child
Tool 2: Schools and Refugee-Serving Agencies: How to Start or Strengthen Collaboration
Tool 3: Refugee Child Welfare: Guidance for Schools
Tool 4: Refugee and Immigrant Youth and Bullying: Frequently Asked Questions
Tool 5: Federal Requirements to Provide Interpretation/Translation in the Schools
Training for Educators
Free Interactive Online Training Modules. Bridging Refugee Children and Youth Services offers online training modules on a variety of topics related to refugee children, youth, and families.
Refugee 101 (Bridging Refugee Youth and Children Services)
Trauma and Mental Health Resources for Providers
Refugee Services Toolkit (The National Children's Traumatic Stress Network)
Refugee Mental Health (Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center)
Teacher Resources
Parents and Parent Engagement
Online Resource for Newcomer Parents and Youth Bridging Refugee Children and Youth Services offers training modules for newcomer parents and agencies that support them.
Educational Handbook for Refugee Parents (International Rescue Committee))
Communication Tools
Parent-School Communication "Placemat" This point-to-translate tool is intended for use in school offices. Parents who read Karen, Somali, or Swahili can point to their question so staff can assist them.
Health
Caring for Refugee Youth in the School Setting, from the National Association of School Nurses
Refugee Students in San Diego Unified School District
Intrepid Theatre turns refugees’ stories into art (San Diego Union Tribune, Feb. 24, 2017)
How One Refugee Student Navigates Being in a New Country and New School (PRI's The World, story by Matthew Bowler, Dec. 21, 2015)