Children, Immigration and Loss
Yesterday, Mary, my fourth grader, shared with me that her class was going to be having a new student, from another country, who didn't speak English. She wasn't sure what country the girl was from, but she was very excited. A few years ago, Mary's best friend had moved back to China and Mary was heartbroken. Mary and I talked about what it may be like for the new student, to be coming to a strange place, a new school, new children and not knowing the language. Mary imagined that she might be scared and nervous. I was surprised in a way that she didn't know what language the girl spoke, for I thought it would be nice for the children to all learn at least two words in the new girls' language to welcome her. The big day came and as Mary stood in line with her class waiting for the bell, the new girl was nowhere in sight. I spoke with her classmates a bit in line and asked them how they thought they could be welcoming without knowing her language. They came up