SCOE shares fact sheet for parents and educators about the rights of undocumented families

01/30/2017 -

In an effort to be of service to all local students, families, and schools, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) is sharing a fact sheet on the rights of undocumented students and their families. The fact sheet was created by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and Fagan Friedman & Fulfrost law firm. The Sonoma County Board of Education will be considering a resolution at its February 2 meeting to make SCOE-run schools a "safe haven," similar to what has been done in Santa Rosa City Schools and Sonoma Valley Unified districts.

Read the fact sheet here.

The county board's consideration also comes at a time that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is urging all California public schools to continue “Safe Haven” efforts for students and their families, particularly Muslims and refugees targeted by recent federal actions.

“As a teacher, coach, father, citizen, and leader of California’s public school system, I strongly disagree with President Trump’s recent immigration order and want to make sure that our students and families who are refugees and Muslims feel safe and protected in our schools,” said Torlakson. “California public schools welcome all students regardless of their heritage, religion, ethnicity, background, disability, or sexual orientation."

Torlakson urged school districts to continue to make sure students and their families feel safe at school and reminded educators and the public that existing laws protect students’ records from questions about immigration status.

Torlakson in December wrote a letter to all 1,025 California school districts and urged them to adopt “Safe Haven” resolutions, which many districts have or will soon do so. “Engaged parents play a key role in helping students succeed on their way to 21st century careers and college,” Torlakson said.