Immigration Resources for Families
APS is committed to supporting our students and ensuring that they feel safe and supported at school.
APS is committed to supporting our students and ensuring that they feel safe and supported at school.
The Arlington School Board and APS leadership will continue to urge our national and state leaders to support legislation to protect the rights of our immigrant families. All APS administrators and school staff, including our principals, teachers, counselors, classroom assistants, social workers and other members of our APS team, are here to support EVERY student or family who needs help.
We believe that America’s diversity is a major strength and a key component of what makes our nation great. We are grateful for the privilege of serving the Arlington community and we value your continued care and support.
Several APS policies articulate our promise for ensuring that schools are caring, safe and welcoming:
Standby Guardianship Form
Families can use this form to name a standby guardian, who can temporarily take care of a minor child if the parent/guardian cannot do so due to a specific event, called a “triggering event.” This could include:
Families wishing to establish a standby guardian should complete Section 1 of the form. Please note that the requirement for a notarized signature is optional.
In the event that a triggering event takes place, a copy of Section 1 will need to be provided to the Welcome Center (if not already provided) and the students enrolled under Kinship Care.
The standby guardian should note that they will need to file a petition with the courts within 30 days of the event to maintain guardianship. Section 2 of the form will assist standby guardians with their court petitions.
Update your emergency contact information in ParentVUE
We encourage all families to update their information and emergency contacts in ParentVUE, this ensures that we can connect with you to support your student’s education. View this Emergency Contacts PVUE Guide with steps to update emergency contacts in the ParentVUE mobile app.
All children in the United States have a constitutional right to free public education, regardless of their immigration status or their parents’ status. This right is protected under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and cannot be taken away by the president, Congress, or state legislatures. Schools must provide equal access to education for every child without discrimination.
No. Public schools enroll all students regardless of their immigration status and cannot discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.
APS does not ask for a student’s immigration status when enrolling, therefore cannot share it with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. If we receive a request for student information, we work to protect students’ rights and keep their information private in alignment with federal law and the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). Only parents/guardians, educators with legitimate educational interest, or students who are 18+ have access to review individual school records.
APS is committed to ensuring all students learn and thrive in safe, healthy, and supportive environments. If your student reports experiencing any form of bullying, discrimination or harassment, please report the situation. Contact your school or fill out the Bullying and Harassment form.
The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, nor is it intended to be a complete listing of available resources. All information, material, and suggested resources are for general informational purposes only. APS does not recommend, endorse, or assume liability for the content, advice, representation decisions, or practice of the third-party sites. Users should consult with relevant professionals for specific advice on their situation.