The newcomer program at Mission High School aims to help recently arrived immigrant students adjust to everything here at Mission. Students who are a part of this program receive mental health services as well as legal support, even giving additional support to students who may need it. It allows for students to not have the communication barrier withhold them from achieving academic success.
Cristina Sobremazas, last year’s Newcomer Teacher
Why is the newcomer program important for students?
“This program is important to the students because it helps the students from another country get adapted to a new culture that they have never seen before.”
Is it a good idea to have a newcomer program for the students?
“Judging by my experience, it is really hard to learn English without knowing anything about English. I always have a base to support my English learners and after one year, the students still struggle with the language. It is a good idea because last year I saw a lot of students trying their hardest to learn a new language, and learning new things.”
What do you like about the newcomer program?
“I like how the students learn, get adapted and communicate better with other students, I love how their English is evolving through time.”
Christine Chew, Newcomer Physics Teacher
Why is the newcomer program important for students?
“For me, the newcomer program is important to students, especially those who are new, and need more help learning English. It’s really important to have this sense of community especially when people are scared to be around other students that are learning the same thing. Basically it’s really important to have all new students together.”
Do you think it is a good idea to have the newcomer program?
“I think without the newcomer program, it would be very difficult for students to start at the school without knowing any English, interacting with people that don’t understand other languages. It would be scary and make them very nervous. It is a good idea to new students that don’t know English to make new friends, and improve their self.”
What do you like about the newcomer program?
“I like that it is a smaller program within the school, so I get to know my newcomer students in a different way than maybe in the mixing of the other upclass students. I also like to work with the students and find a way for the teachers to support the students as a team. I love when every student brings all their experiences from their own country into class, it makes the classes more interesting.”
The newcomer program comes with many benefits, allowing for a seamless transition as newcomer students experience this significant cultural shift, improve their English, have a community, and overcome the communication barrier. Its addition in our district has allowed our newcomer students to thrive in a new environment, enabling the students to maximize their potential.
