REFUGEE SCHOOL IMPACT PROGRAM (RSIP)
The Refugee School Impact Program is designed to ease the transition of refugee children into the American school system and to empower parents to be effective partners in the education of their children. The Refugee School Impact Program helps bridge the cultural and linguistic gaps that can exist between refugee families and the Buffalo Public Schools. The program’s Academic Coaches provide children with in-class academic and social supports in their native languages to promote educational success. The coaches work closely with the Buffalo Public School’s Multilingual Department, providing interpreting, problem solving, parent trainings, and more.

Eligible Clients: The Refugee School Impact Program provides services to refugee students who have been in the United States for less than five years and are enrolled in grades K-12, and their families.

Orientation Services:

• Welcome To Our Schools Family Orientation

• Aimed towards parents whose children have just entered school (Grades K-12) to learn about the American school system and to have their questions answered by our academic coaches and program staff.

• Cross-Cultural Seminar for Schools
  A free training session provided to schools and administrators who would like to learn more about refugee issues and how to better accommodate their needs. If your school is interested please reach out using the link below for more information.

Jumpstart
During the summer, the Academic Coaches work at Jumpstart, a four-week BPS program for recently arrived refugee students. This program helps orient newly arrived students to the American school system. The program focuses on English language acquisition, classroom orientation and introduction to American curriculum, schedules, and activities. The program is run in partnership with WNY Americorps and Houghton College.

Math Enrichment Spring Break Workshop
The workshop is held during the district's spring break vacation. Students in grades 3-12 are assessed and placed in groups according to their math abilities. Small group instruction is provided by program staff. The workshop serves up to 90 students.

Opportunities for Involvement: We rely on groups of high school and college student volunteers to help with our Beaver Island Summer Camp program. We also seek sponsors to sponsor a day to help us provide lunch for our campers. To learn more about volunteering or sponsoring a day of camp, please contact volunteer@jersbuffalo.org.

Related Programming: School Moms