Lynwood’s Annual Newcomer Welcome Event Celebrates Culture, Community and Connection

What does it mean to feel at home in a new country while staying connected to who you are and where you come from?

New experiences, new connections, and a community ready to welcome you. Last week, Lynwood Unified’s Newcomer Welcome brought more than 100 newcomer students in grades 7-12 together to celebrate their cultures, connect with one another, and find support along the way.

Hosted by the Equity, Access, and Instructional team, the event supports students who have lived in the United States for less than three years as they navigate a new school environment, build a sense of belonging, and embrace the identities and experiences they bring with them.

Centered on cultural diversity, community, and connection, the Newcomer Welcome Event included activities such as “Different Roots, One Community,” where students identified their home countries on a map and shared one word to describe them. Students also wrote the careers they hope to pursue on colorful cardstock leaves and added them to a shared tree, bringing their individual goals together in one display. 

These activities gave students a comfortable way to get to know one another, share their experiences and reflect on their goals for the future. 

“Aprendí como que debo de luchar con mis sueños aunque no sepa inglés y, pues, lo puedo aprender en un futuro o muy pronto, si Dios quiere,” said Maria, a senior at Firebaugh High School.

Translated into English, Maria said, “I learned that I should fight for my dreams even though I don’t know English, and I can learn it in the future or very soon, God willing.”

This year’s event also featured 15 community resource providers offering support in areas including student life, city services, health information, and more. Students visited resource tables and connected directly with representatives who provided guidance and information.

Students learned about services offered by America’s Job Center of California, St. Francis Medical Center, Los Angeles City College, and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, among other participating organizations. They also received information about AP Spanish, the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), and opportunities to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy.

“This event matters because it’s often the first moment a newcomer student experiences our District as a community, not just a system they’ve been enrolled in,” said Claudia Alfaro, secondary multilingual lead. “It’s our opportunity to greet students face-to-face, in their language, and say, ‘We see you, we’re glad you’re here, and we’re building this year together.’”

Students left the event with new connections, helpful resources, and a clear message: Their languages, cultures, and stories make the Lynwood Unified community stronger.