It is a long day at Denver’s McMeen Elementary School where children are learning along with many new migrant children who have arrived at the dual language school since Denver’s wave of migrants has impacted the city.
The early childhood education through fifth grade school on South Holly Street near Cherry Creek Drive has been one of the most heavily impacted schools.
“It is but I don’t know I guess I’m just handling it the best I can and try not to overstress myself on the things I can’t control,” said kindergarten teacher Lyly Zaragoza. Into her lap climbed 5-year-old, Fraimar, who tightened her arms around her teacher in a hug.
“They’re scared. Or don’t know what’s happening or confused. Like today she asked if she could come with me today,” she said.
“When they first come there’s a lot of crying and not wanting to be away from their mom. Which makes sense if they spend all this time traveling together,” said Zaragoza. “It makes me sad because they’re little, they shouldn’t see some of the things they’ve already experienced. And I feel in this country we’re really lucky to not have experienced that.”