Displaced Puerto Rican Families Coming To Dedham

DEDHAM, MA — As Puerto Rico continues to recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Maria, displaced students are enrolling in the Dedham Public Schools, according to Superintendent Michael Welch.

Welch wrote in his latest 30-day update to parents that FEMA has reserved 34 hotel rooms in Dedham through mid-January for families displaced by the hurricane. Since October, 24 students from the island have enrolled in Dedham schools and six to eight more families are expected in the next few weeks.

A team of 12 met with the families to offer whatever support they could. Welch said the majority of the new students do not speak English and the district is working to connect them with Spanish-speaking classmates and provide their educational needs

"We learned a great deal about the families and their children, and we were able to assist in planning for their needs in the Dedham Public Schools," Welch wrote. "In comparison with other districts, the volume of students is nowhere near that of some larger cities, but the Dedham Public Schools do not have the infrastructure or capacity to immediately serve the needs of these students."

Welch added that many have asked how they can help the families. The proper mechanism for that is being studied and will be announced when its ready.

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