By Sandra Rodriguez, Executive Director, Texas

Across Houston and throughout Texas, families have sent their children back to school and many Latino parents are carrying more than the weight of supply lists and busy schedules on their minds. Over the summer, Latinos for Education held conversations with families across the city of Houston, and one message was clear: this year the return to school brings both hope and worry. 

For many parents, hope lies in the promise of education—the chance for their children to thrive, dream, and pursue a future full of opportunity. The worry, however, stems from uncertainty. We heard questions like, “Will my child feel safe?” “Do teachers understand the challenges our community faces?” and “How do I advocate for my child’s needs in a system that often feels unwelcoming?” 

In listening sessions and community gatherings we hosted, families raised concerns that merit the attention of every district and school leader: 

• Safety and Belonging: Parents wondered how schools will create safe school environments for all where immigrant families feel safe, given the climate of fear around immigration enforcement. They expressed the need for reassurance that schools are prepared to respond with clarity and compassion if immigration officers ever appear at or near schools. 

• Understanding Rights: Families asked questions like, “What rights do I have as a parent?” and “What rights does my child have as a student?” This reflects both a need for information and an opportunity for schools to proactively share resources that build trust. 

• Language Access: Latino families want communication in the languages they speak at home. This is not just about translation—it’s about respect, dignity, and ensuring parents can be active partners in their child’s education. 

Given these learnings, district leaders, principals, and educators can take proactive steps to support Latino students and families:  

1. Train Staff: Equip teachers, front office staff, and administrators with information on family rights and district protocols. Ensure each member is prepared and understands how to respond if immigration enforcement shows up and how to connect families to resources. 

1. Communicate Clearly and Often: Send multilingual communication. Use multiple channels including emails, texts, phone calls, and community meetings. 

1. Create Welcoming Environments: Simple gestures, like bilingual signage, cultural celebrations, and family liaisons, can make schools feel like places where families belong. 

1. Share Resources: Partner with organizations like the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) to provide trusted information about rights and available support. 

Latino children make up nearly half of Texas’ public-school enrollment, and their success is central to the prosperity of our state. When families feel excluded or fearful, children carry that burden into the classroom. But when families feel supported, children thrive. 

This is not an issue limited to certain neighborhoods or districts. Every school system in Texas serves Latino students. All district leaders have a responsibility to ensure their staff are prepared to welcome, inform, and protect families. 

Preparing students for academic success starts with ensuring families feel safe, respected, and informed. Let’s commit to making our schools places where every child can walk in with confidence and every family can walk out with trust. 

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 Sandra Rodriguez is a dedicated advocate for Latino leadership in education. As Executive Director, Texas at Latinos for Education, she strengthens educator pipelines, mobilizes communities, and influences policy for greater equity. A proud Mexican American and first-generation college graduate, she understands firsthand the systemic barriers Latino students face and has worked to dismantle them through advocacy, leadership development, and policy change. Sandra’s experience in community development, transportation equity, and environmental justice informs her holistic approach to education leadership. As President of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, she ensures community voices shape policies that create lasting impact for students and families.