Otwell Middle School: Newcomers Program

Remember what it felt like to be the new kid? The anxiety of the first day at a new school. The intimidation of being the freshman on the team. The terrifying moment when your parents dropped you off at camp and you wondered who your friends would be.

Now imagine all those moments in a new country, with a new language and new customs. As Forsyth County continues to grow, more and more students face this situation each year.

Otwell Middle School principal Steve Miller and his staff are trying to make the transition to American schools a little easier for non-English speaking students through their Newcomers program. This program not only helps students learn English and have a sense of belonging but also engages their families and helps them find community in their new home.

Through Be Rich, your donations funded a part-time bilingual parent coordinator to increase communication with non-English speaking parents and help them take a more active role in their child’s education. The Newcomers Program is another step in Otwell’s goal to set all their students up for success.

Thanks to your generosity in 2021’s Be Rich campaign, we were able to provide funding to cover 50 families in the program and give them the support, resources, and connections they need to make Forsyth County feel like home.