Moreno Valley USD Adopts Resolution In Support Of All Students — Regardless Of Immigration Status

The Moreno Valley Unified School District last month unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to provide all children equal access to education, regardless of their immigration status. 

The resolution was adopted days after a message from Superintendent Alejandro Ruvalcaba reaffirming the district’s “unwavering commitment to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status or sexual orientation/gender expression,” was posted to social media.

“During these uncertain times, it is critical that we work together to create a learning environment where every student feels safe, valued, and ready to succeed,” the message said. “Our district is committed to providing a high-quality education that empowers all students to realize their dreams.”

The resolution, as proposed and adopted, laid out seven things that the district will do, including:

• Providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background;
• Not asking about the citizenship or immigration status of students or their parents or guardians for the purposes of denying access to public schools;
• Providing multiple opportunities for participation and feedback, encouraging all students to engage in class discussions, group activities and projects;
• Fostering a sense of belonging through a positive, safe, welcoming and inclusive environment;
• Continuing to invest in positive relationships and improve students’ connections to school to reduce the risk of stress, trauma and other adverse experiences; 
• Maintaining its commitment to equity, respecting and supporting people of all backgrounds and diversity factors and safeguarding all students and their families privacy and confidentiality; and
• Providing adequate support and training for educators and mental health professionals to maintain safe and open learning environments.

Of the 12 members of the public who spoke on the item at the Jan. 28 meeting, 11 were in support of it, stating that it was an important step for the district to take in the current political climate.

“No child should live in fear and if we as a community want them to succeed and thrive, we must provide them a safe environment where they can focus on their education,”  Angie Santos, a Moreno Valley USD parent, said. “This resolution is an important step in safeguarding our children, and I’d like to thank the board for bringing it forward.”

Santos also said that she felt the resolution would send a “powerful message” that the district values diversity, compassion and human dignity, a message echoed by Tracy Figueroa, who works at the San Bernardino Community Service Center.

“Deportation looms over us like a shadow unraveling the fabric of safety and belonging I want for all kids,” she said. “Our children deserve schools filled with hope and not fear, and every step backwards from that dream feels like a step away from the values my family sacrifices to uphold.”

The one person who spoke against the resolution at the meeting, Roy Bleckert, said that there should be language that the district would “cooperate with all law enforcement organizations in the country,” that he said were working to make communities safer.

“If you want your kids to succeed and be in a safe environment, we should all be working [toward] that, not trying to sow the seeds of dissension further in this community [and] in the United States,” he said.