SAN ANTONIO – Colonial Hills Elementary Schools is helping refugee children newly arrived in the U.S. succeed by providing resources and support.
“It’s been a huge success because we see our kids being able to excel, feeling more and more confident, feeling safe in the school,” said Kerry Haupert, Assistant Director of Bilingual ESL Newcomers.
Haupert said last year, they started with about 40 students as part of the newcomer program, and this year they have over 100.
“We love having the students here. They bring such a great diversity to the campus. They want to learn. They enjoy learning,” said Jenae Mai, Principal at Colonial Hills Elementary School.
Salma Gul and her family moved to the U.S. from Afghanistan last year.
The 10-year-old student says she enjoys learning and making friends.
“I like to study here,” Gul said.
Gul’s teacher Martha Salazar says she is also learning from her students.
“I see also similarities from my culture. I’m Mexican, so I see some stuff that we have in common, and we can use it in class. So, it’s really fun here,” said Martha Salazar, Teacher of the Newcomer Program.
“Being able to be in these classrooms, you see them happy, you see them excited, you see them expressing themselves more and more in the English language,” Haupert said