District 87 schools seek to comfort ‘dreamers’ and their families

Posted on September 12, 2017

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The District 87 School Board is being asked to show support for kids in the Bloomington district whose parents are undocumented immigrants and might be forced to leave the country.

Superintendent Barry Reilly is recommending the board approve a resolution Wednesday night declaring District 87 embraces diversity and seeks to provide a welcoming and safe environment for all students and their families.

Contentious political discourse about immigration has scared a lot of kids, according to Reilly.

He said concerned teachers started contacting him last Spring.

“I was hearing from the teachers, who were hearing it from students and families that they were nervous,” said Reilly.

“They were scared, and it really reflected what was happening across our country,” the superintendent said.

Reilly said he has no doubt there are some so-called Dreamers attending District 87 schools.

The resolution also said the presence of ICE or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on school property would disrupt the “safe and welcoming environment,” but Reilly said he’s never been contacted by the federal agency about the immigration status of students and their families.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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