Displaced Puerto Rican Families Come To Braintree

BRAINTREE, MA — Like many other communities in Massachusetts, Braintree has become the temporary home to Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria.

Superintendent Frank Hackett said at Monday night’s school committee meeting that the school district has welcomed 20 students from the island. The students first arrived in December and are expected to say until April or May, he said. Some students have gone back for various reasons.

Jennifer Fay, the director of personnel and student services, has been the point person for the students and their families, making sure they get assistance.

"The community has stepped up in such a big way to make sure these kids have what they need," Hackett said.

Mayor Joseph Sullivan said he has spoken directly to Gov. Charlie Baker about the topic. Baker is expected to request $15 million in assistance for towns which have welcomed the families.

“We need to assist those who need our help. It’s important that as we as a community do our part and help those who cannot go back to their homeland. It remains a very serious situation,” Sullivan said.

The families are staying at a local hotel. On the elementary level, students are being placed in schools based on enrollment numbers and English language learning needs.

Many families in Puerto Rico are still without power. About 63.5 percent of energy customers have had their power restored and all 78 municipalities are at least partially energized, according to the Department of Energy.

In other enrollment news, 360 future kindergarten students were signed up for school during the recent enrollment period at the Monatiquot Kindergarten Center. That's about 60 more signups than this time last year. More are expected before the start of the 2018-19 school year.

Image: File Photo