​Boston ​Educators Host Week of Action in Show of Support for Undocumented Students and Families

​Boston ​

Educators Host Week of Action in Show of Support for Undocumented Students and Families

Educators organize workshops, lesson plans and activities for immigrant students and families

BOSTON — This week, on Monday May 1st through Friday, May 5th, over 40 schools in Boston are participating in a Sanctuary Schools Week of Action dedicated to making our schools safe spaces for immigrants from the ground-up. Educators are sharing workshops, lesson plans and positive relationship-building activities for families and students. These events are organized by the Boston Teacher Union's immigrant rights group, Unafraid Educators.

The Week of Action's goal is to send a message to students, staff, and families that our undocumented students & families are welcome and will be supported in our schools. This is a week for schools to declare and defend our undocumented students’ right to an education and build a safe and inclusive environment at our schools.

"Our undocumented students and families are bombarded daily with messages of hate and fear from our current administration and the media

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This has

​ a​

 tangible effects on our students every day

​

,

" said Maya Taft-Morales, an elementary school teacher in Boston Public Schools.

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But, ever since the Plyler v. Doe ruling in 1982, states have not had the right to deny students a free public education on account of their immigration status. We, as educators, are both legally obliged and morally compelled to welcome, respect, cherish and protect our undocumented students and families. When we do this, our schools become sanctuaries for our undocumented students

​."

 

Educators encourage all interested to access lesson plans, workshops, flyers and more resources at the BTU-sponsored website, www.unafraideducators.org.