When you see a student looking around, they're frustrated. So you have to be very demonstrative. You're always moving. If you're talking about walking, you're going to walk. Schools also offer free summer English classes to foreign-language students and their parents.
Family services are a big part of student success.
HISD offers outreach services to help students and their families navigate through the various social programs and to learn about social protocol. Shirin Herman, a refugee case worker who speaks five languages, said families are incredibly grateful. But it's more than just language. Some of these families have been living in a refugee camp. I have seen a large family arrive here with only one suitcase.