DeKalb County School District officials have been the most vocal when it comes to President Donald Trump's travel ban blocking immigrants and refugees from several countries from entering the United States.
And with good reason.
Of its nearly 103,000 students, 644 were born in Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, according to district records. Superintendent Steve Green said he conferred with his cabinet Monday on a plan to reassure students and show support to them and their families.
“He’s the commander-in-chief,” Green said of Trump, “but I’m the commander-in-chief of DeKalb.”
Green said the administration sent a message to staff this week reiterating the importance of being culturally sensitive and avoiding situations that would cause more anxiety.
The ball already had been rolling before Trump’s inauguration, Green said. He met Jan. 11 with several community organizations that advocate for and support the area’s refugee population. DeKalb County is home to Clarkston, the state’s unofficial refugee resettlement district.
“We established a plan then to follow up ... with (mandatory) webinars (for staff) coming from that, as well as parent engagement. We advocate for keeping families intact.
“Any kind of threat to that wholeness of family impacts wholeness of the child.”
Responding to the president's executive order, parents and residents from the Medlock Park community posted signs around the entrance to the International Community School that greeted students and parents Monday morning. On them were messages of encouragement and support at a school where about half the student population are refugees.
“As public educators, we educate all children,” Green said, “regardless of where they come from.”
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