week 7

I am a kindergarten teacher with a new student arriving next week from France.  I do not speak a word of French but want the student and his family to feel welcome. 
The first thing I would do is welcome his family to the school and ensure that there is an interpreter to ease communication .  During this initial meeting I would have the interpreter gather all pertinent information on the student and the family.  I would invite the parents to come as guests to the classroom and make sure that they understand all of the accomodations that have been put into to place for their child.  The student would be working with an ESOL teacher and preparations would be made to send a copy of all work home.  This will help to instill a sense of collaboration between school and home.  It will also set the tone of "family learning".  When an individual feels important and senses he belongs it helps to solidify overall development.  This not only benefits the child, their families but the overall climate of the classroom.