California Schools Prepare for Influx of Afghan Refugee Students, Offer ‘Culturally Appropriate’ Meals, Set Aside Rooms For Prayer During Muslim Holidays

 

Afghan women, stock photo

Christian children in California aren’t allowed to pray in schools, but Muslim refugees are given halal food and provided prayer rooms.

California schools in Sacramento are preparing for a huge influx of Afghan refugee students.

Joe Biden purposely turned Afghanistan over to the Taliban and packed evacuation planes with tens of thousands of unvetted Afghans and flew them to the US.

The Afghans are being dispersed all over the country and California agreed to take in at least 5,000 refugees.

The majority of Afghans being brought to California will live in Fremont and Sacramento.

The San Juan Unified School District where more than half the population is Afghan, hired a team (with the help of state grants) to help with the influx of refugees.

WATCH:

Elk Grove Unified School District is preparing halal food and providing prayer rooms during Muslim holidays.

EdSource reported:

Elk Grove Unified School District began offering culturally appropriate meals and setting aside rooms in many of its middle and high schools for prayer during Muslim holidays in preparation for the additional Afghan students it expects in the next month. San Juan Unified is offering Saturday school for English learners, and Fremont Unified is planning to hire more translators.

Sacramento school officials have been meeting weekly with representatives from resettlement agencies to prepare for the students. Resettlement agencies partner with the federal government to ensure refugees have food, clothing and housing, as well as medical and mental health services, among other things, for 90 days after their arrival in a city. After that, school districts often take on the role of liaison between the family and social service organizations, offering translators and guidance.

California school districts with Afghan student populations are offering wraparound services for refugee families, including dedicated staff to enroll students in school, language classes for parents and students, and translators to help explain schoolwork or make medical appointments. Districts also refer families to community resources that provide food, housing and medical care, among other services.