Welcome Center at NEISD
Refugee School Impact Program
Discover a welcoming space for newcomers to the San Antonio community, offering an inclusive learning environment that invites cultural and linguistic diversity. The NEISD Welcome Center embraces the opportunity for refugee and asylum-seeking students to grow and succeed academically as we foster a safe and respectful space while our commitment to educational excellence ensures that students thrive in our supportive settings.
By focusing on classroom participation, we enable newly arrived students to participate confidently in the curriculum at the grade level while helping them acquire essential knowledge and hone their skills in navigating the school environment. Visit the NEISD Welcome Center and experience first-hand the developmental impact of our leadership and support in shaping bright futures for all learners.
Our Support Services
Registration Support
We help refugee and asylum-seeking families with children transition to school so that every family feels like they belong to NEISD.
Help facilitate the registration process
Assistance in completing standard registration forms
Overview of district policies and details on school schedule, hours, discipline rules, and related information
Academic Support
Our staff assists students in obtaining appropriate in-class accommodations tailored to their individual needs.
Translation and interpretation services through our team of Bilingual Intake Facilitators
Screening and recognition of potential English language learners
Review transcript records and academic assessments
Educational workshops and events
Informal college and career readiness advising
Community Partnership
Welcome Center actively collaborates with local organizations to provide easily accessible community-based learning opportunities to students.
CHEF: Hands-on culinary and nutritional education
The Tobin Center: Performing arts education and engagement
UT Health: Healthcare industry encounters and exposure
About Us
since 2004
Welcome Center at NEISD cultivates a safe, respectful learning environment that embraces students of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. By promoting active participation and grade-level content acquisition, we set up students for academic achievement and ensure English Language Learners feel welcomed. Through targeted instructional approaches, refugee and asylee students develop the knowledge and skills to successfully navigate and thrive in our schools.
Mission
Our Mission
is to build bridges and provide continuous support by fostering an encouraging environment where refugee and asylee families can thrive in our community, enabling high levels of learning and growth for all.
Vision
Our Vision
is to empower students to excel academically and socially. We aim to boost academic performance by delivering academic standards in an accessible, comprehensible way to ensure academic success while also improving social engagement.
RSI Team
Kerry Haupert
Project Coordinator
Elvira Gatumuta
Family Liaison
Safiullah Momand
Family Liaison
Rachel Oviedo
Newcomer Clerk
Rosalyn Ouderkirk
Administrative Assistant