By Julie BUTCHER

On Tuesday, the Glendale Unified School District board voted unanimously and enthusiastically to adopt the Safe Haven resolution introduced several weeks ago, expressly supporting all district students regardless of immigration status.

The board heard extensive public testimony in favor of the resolution at its regular meeting of Feb. 7 including comments from Sarajini Lall speaking on behalf of Assemblywoman Laura Friedman.

“The Assemblymember strongly supports this resolution reaffirming that all campuses are safe havens regardless of immigration status. Specifically she requests that the GUSD add that the District should not inquire about a student’s immigration status or that of their families, that all students be treated equally, and that all requests from immigration officials immediately be submitted to the superintendent and general counsel,” Lall said. “The Assemblymember requests that the District protect all students to the fullest extent of the law.”

Also at the Feb. 7 meeting, Shant Sahakian, a parent and son of immigrants, thanked the board for bringing the safe zone resolution forward.

“This discussion is not about who you voted for in November; it is about our schools and our students,” Sahakian said. “The law is unambiguous about this issue. Undocumented students have a right to attend school. Glendale has always been welcoming to all students. This resolution must reaffirm the District’s commitment to providing safe and inclusive schools for all. I look forward to the board’s action on this in the coming weeks.”

Edison Elementary student, David Lara, spoke in support of the Safe Haven resolution.

“Throughout California, schools are establishing safe zones for undocumented immigrants. Immigrants are an asset to our country, not a threat,” he said. “Diversity is what makes this nation powerful and great.”

Joal Ryan, parent, said that we are a nation of immigrants. “What we need to know about this resolution is that we are reaffirming what is law. We are the ones following the law. The law is that GUSD schools should remain safe places for all our school-age children.”

Ryan urged the board to strengthen the language to indicate the precise protocols the school staff should follow in the event immigration officials show up asking questions. Additionally she urged the board to notify all the parents in all the languages we speak.

“It saddens me that we have to reaffirm again what is already law. However, I am grateful that there are parents who brought this to us tonight and that we are considering it.”

Following the board vote adopting “Resolution No. 17 – Reaffirming all GUSD Campuses as Safe Havens for Students,” boardmember Jennifer Freemon said, “Every one of our teachers, staff and students needs to know that we have their backs on this, that we will support them no matter what. Clearly the tone has shifted; we need to stand together for our community, our staff and all of our families.”

Board Vice President Nayiri Nahabedian urged that communications about this important policy include messages targeted at students.

“Let’s be sure that our students know they can write an essay sharing their story, that they don’t have to keep secrets,” Nahabedian said. She joined other board members in advocating for immersive communication to the District’s families about this important measure. Boardmember Christine Walters suggested outreach through existing immigrant support groups working in the community.

The main point of the resolution is “that the Governing Board of the Glendale Unified School District reaffirms that every District site is a safe place for its students and families, that all students are embraced as full members of our school community, and that all students have a right to an education, regardless of their immigration status.” To that end the District will “treat all students equitably in the receipt of all school services; not inquire about a student’s (or members of their families) immigration status; forward any request by federal immigration officials for information or to access a school site to the Superintendent and the General Counsel for review to ensure the safety of all students.”

In additional actions, the Board recognized 30 student award winners in the local competition of the national PTA Reflections 2017 competition. This year, the theme is “What Is Your Story?” Students submitted in six categories: dance choreography; film production; literature; music composition; photography; and visual arts.

Luke Sterling of Roosevelt Middle School won and is moving up in the competition for his musical piece, “Octagonal.”

Sterling said, “This is for anyone who wants to participate. Any kid can enter and go anywhere their creativity can take them.”

Crescenta Valley High School student Sophia James won in the photography category.

Significantly, following a presentation by representatives of the District’s math teachers, the Board agreed to move forward to change high school math from the traditional “Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II” model to an integrated approach that leaves students understanding more math concepts.

  Julie BUTCHER