Illegal immigrants in schools?

Question

We live in a medium sized city, and the school my son attends is predominately Hipsanic, because of the huge influx of illegal immigrants.

I recently found out that the person watching the students on the playgorund is Spanish speaking and cannot fluently communicate with the English speaking students. Therefore if there was an emergency, or an injury, this playground monitor would not be able to communicate with my son.

I am all for intergration, however opposed I am to illegal immigration in general. But I find this situation unacceptable in an American school. Shouldn't people responsible for our children be able to communicate with our kids? It troubles me that when she gives directions, the kids in his class who speak Spanish must translate them to my son and the other English speaking students. This is a major safety issue, and I am terribly worried and disappointed.

How would you handle this situation?

spiritdummy:....that ten seconds it takes for her to translate the emergency efficiently may be the ten seconds that save someone's life. Not to mention in a playground full of kids, how will she keep everything else under control, if an emergency does arise.

Kaliman: My Prejuidice? MINE??? Are you kidding me? She is not qualified NOT because she is Hispanic, but because she cannot commuincate with the children! If she cannot communicate with them, that is a huge safety issue. THAT is why she isn't qualified. Take your cries of prejudice in this case, and shove it, because that's ridiculous. This is the safety of MY CHILD.

Answer 1

I agree with the lot of responses made thus far. I have made similar notions toward many workers where I live. I've gotten horrible services, I've been pregnant, and I'm currently in my 8th month of pregnancy, and throughout the many months my insurance dropped me (admittedly, I am on state insurance, because I moved here recently (months), and cannot be put under my partners insurance until I've lived here for a certain amount of time). Many of the doctors this insurance covers, do not speak good English, and therefore, cannot communicate with me over important matters. One doctor even asked me if I WANTED any medications. Basically all I had to do was tell her what I wanted and she'd prescribe it. THAT is horrible. When I tell the dentists or doctors that I'm pregnant when I need dental work, or get sick, they don't know what precautions to take, and tell me to get it from my OB/GYN, who is usually too busy for me to discuss things outside of my scheduled appointments.

This deeply frustrates me. These people are not illegal immigrants however, they have just not made that great of an effort to speak the English language. Though I try to be understanding, I have had to bite and claw my way throughout this pregnancy to get proper care, and to get money reimbursements that I should have never had to pay for, (and so on). So it greatly bothers me to be put in a situation where I can't properly communicate with the people that I'm forced to deal with. In fact, the only totally American person I've dealt with since I've been here is my Japanese American OB/GYN who speaks perfect English, thankfully.

I have not been able to handle this situation, because I understand many of the people in my situation are Asian/Hispanic immigrants, and so I can't really complain. I suppose I wish a greater effort were made at learning English here, just as I would do my best to learn any other native language in another country if I moved there. It's only responsible, especially if you're going to be put in a position where you need to communicate. It's irresponsible that so many people have been given jobs in which they can't even communicate and do their job right. You should discuss this issue with your school. They should not be putting people in certain positions that deal with communication, because it's a burden on people who need the service, but can't get the proper service because of the person chose to do it. I would not feel comfortable either.

Answer 2

I would put in a formal complaint to the school board. A teacher or person employed by the school who looks after the children must be able to communicate fully and correctly with all the children. Ask the other parents and see what their reaction is; you will probably find it is the same as yours, and a group addressing this issue will get a better response.

It is a law suit waiting to happen a non speaking aid, unable to communicate with a child in need of help, in an American/English speaking school. It is just a matter of time before an issue comes up and not if it will come up

Just tell the school if anything happens to delay asistance to your child/ren as a direct result of this situation between a teacher and child, you will sue them.

Answer 3

I understand it is not the fault of these illegal children being here. BUT! Illegal, IS illegal! I thought that employers were supposed to verify portential legality to work in this country - with a Social Security Number, Birth Certificate etc etc. It is obvious these employers DON'T and therefore, are breaking the Law. Same thing with these kids! The parents have to enroll them, and the school systems are letting them filter through the cracks! You say College!!! Oh my! That takes money to send a kid to college! Where are these illegals getting the money from?? If the parents can't prove they pay taxes, the kids should not be allowed to enter!! There are thousand, if not millions of American Citizens who would give their eye teeth to go to college, but can't afford to, yet these illegals manage to scrape up the money!! We pay taxes to the school districts, and I don't think it is fair my money is going to educate someone who has no right to be here in the first place. The schools should be held accountable for this!! Do they ask the parents IF they are legal or not? Doesn't look like it!! The problem is, these illegals take false documents from God Knows where, and NOBODY ever bothers to check them out!!!

Answer 4

Start in the Principle office and then to the school board if you are not satisfy with the results. Being I live in a Hispanics city, this is how the hiring practices works. A English speaker of Hispanic descent is hired. Then as time passes more Hispanic that speak English are hired Then when the upper level positions are filled up, others positions are filled with those that are Hispanic but with limited English proficiency. Just look to the maintenance workers to the cafeteria

Answer 5

At that rate your child will not have an education that exceeds that of the person who is supposed to be watching the playground. It is vital that our children can speak english well, and it is equally as important that those charged with educating them give preference to the common language of the nation in which they live. Children in America have no future if they cannot speak english.

Answer 6

I think the whole illigal immigration issue is a form of divine punisment for the U.S., and like most of our future endeavors, is a lost cause. When you read how hateful and stupid some Americans like cdjack (THE ABOVE POSTER) are, than you can realize why we are the most hated nation on Earth, why our Army is getting it's butt kicked in Iraq, and why Mexicans will probably take this country over.

Just like the Romans, we will fall.

Answer 7

You answered your own question. You are all for integration. This all started out with well intentioned liberal thinking. And then, as you can see, it got out of hand. Now it is to late. You cannot close the barn door after the cows are out. I am thankful I live way out in the country rather than in the rotting cities. Out here a little bigotry and redneck thinking goes a long way in preventing the liberals from feeling comfortable enough to move here. And bringing these problems with them.

Answer 8

That is outrageous! Go to the principal and tell him your concerns,and make sure that everything said Is documented.Bring someone with you when you voice your very legitimate concerns. Give a reasonable amount of time for him or her to correct the problem,If nothing Is done contact an attorney that specializes In DISCRIMINATION.

Answer 9

If this is a public school, you go to the School Board of Education for your county, with a statement just like the one you just wrote here copied to them and to a lawyer. If it's a private school, you go with the same details to the owner.

Answer 10

Talk to the principal. If that doesn't work, go to the superintendents and lodge a compliant. The school is responsible for your child's safety while in school. They know you can sue if anything happens due to this problem.