With more and more international and newcomer students participating in our school systems, it is increasingly important to address the needs of newcomer families with support and guidance. Many of our local communities are developing international recruitment plans to help contribute to the growth and prosperity of the local economy. The newcomers we welcome into our communities are a vital component of our future economic development—they bring diversity, skills, and investment. It is important to understand that there is no typical newcomer family. Each family member will experience the change in culture, country, and surroundings in a different way. In order to fully support the child(ren), it is vital to address the needs of the parents to reduce stress in the home overall. If you support the family, you support the child.
Here are some examples of signs that a newcomer student is having difficulty adjusting: