Migrant students are students who move with their families as they search for seasonal and/or temporary work. These moves across school district lines may occur as many as two or three times each school year. Their parents are usually agricultural workers who are compelled to move frequently in order to harvest and/or process seasonal crops for a living. While many migrant children were born in the United States, the majority of mobile migrants are primarily of Mexican, Central American, Puerto Rican, or Haitian origin. Many of the U.S. born middle and high school migrant students are fluent in English, but they have trouble succeeding in school because of the many risk factors associated with their highly mobile lifestyle. These students face the challenge of adapting to a new school, new teachers, new school rules and curricula, and new classmates many times each year. Migrant children draw a lot of strength from their family, which is the focal point and the one constant in their lives.
Services available for eligible students include, but are not limited to: community resources and referrals; tutoring; medical assistance; transportation; and school supplies. All supports are academically related to the student’s success.
Preschool enrollment is another service provided by the Migrant Education Program. Students age 3-5 are identified and given a minimum of 9 home-based preschool sessions, including Reading, Writing and Math curriculum to prepare the students to enter kindergarten. Currently our program has over 15 preschool students, who have recently completed their program. A picnic was held on April 3, 2012 at San Carlos Park to recognize their achievement and continued success. Seven families were in attendance. Lunch was served at the event, along with arts and crafts. Proud preschoolers received their certificate with a new book to share with their family.
If you work in agriculture and attend a school within the Coolidge Unified School District #21, please contact one of the following liaisons for details:
Phone: 520-723-2179 (Spanish) - 520-723-2425 (English)
Migrant Education Program information can be found on our website: http://www.CoolidgeSchools.org (under the Curriculum tab). More information about the Migrant Program can be found at the following website: https://www.azed.gov/populations-projects/migrant-program/
National Migrant Hotline 1-800-234-8848
