Linden Public Schools Celebrates Significant Milestone Opening Multilingual Learners Welcome Center To Serve Changing Demographic

Linden Public Schools Unveils Groundbreaking Multilingual Learners Welcome Center with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Editor’s note: Staten Islander News recently covered another groundbreaking in Linden for a new luxury apartment complex development to replace the aging Elwood Plaza retail center that stood at the site for 100 years and previously housed Quick Check, a pharmacy, and other businesses.  PETA also recently released a bilingual book to help migrant children learn English and compassion for animals and others at the same time. 

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ – Linden Public Schools celebrated a significant milestone on Friday, November 15, 2024, with the grand opening of the Multilingual Learners Welcome Center, a dedicated facility designed to support the district’s rapidly growing multilingual population.

The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tour at 1:00 PM at 100 Edgewood Rd., Linden, NJ.

State, city, and county officials, as well as school district administrators, were in attendance.

Danie Orelien, Director of the Multilingual Learners Department, expressed her excitement about the center, the first of its kind in Union County. The center comes at a pivotal time as the district’s multilingual student population has grown substantially, from approximately 500 students in 2019 to over 1,300 in 2024. This surge reflects the diverse and varied backgrounds of families seeking new opportunities, quality education, safety, and refuge from challenging conditions, including war and persecution.

“Our multilingual students bring rich backgrounds, but also face distinct emotional and social challenges, including trauma and loss,” Orelien said. “We needed a center that would focus on the ‘whole child,’ addressing not just academics but also the emotional, social, and cultural needs essential for their success.”

The grand opening represents the culmination of Orelien’s long-standing vision and tireless advocacy for a comprehensive resource center. Recognizing the limitations of conventional language support programs, such as ESL and bilingual education, Orelien aimed to create a center that addresses the full spectrum of needs critical for multilingual learners to thrive.

The Welcome Center’s mission aligns with the whole-child approach supported by Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins and the Linden Board of Education. This holistic framework offers a range of essential services that empower students and engage their families:

Mental Health Support – The center connects students with mental health professionals, providing a safe space for them to process migration-related challenges and nurture emotional well-being.

Advertisement

Social Services and Community Connections – Partnering with local organizations, the center assists families with access to financial aid, food support, and healthcare, alleviating stress and enabling students to focus on their education.

Translation Services and Parent Workshops – To bridge linguistic and cultural gaps, the center provides translation services and hosts workshops that educate parents about school policies, academic expectations, and resources, fostering stronger parental involvement.

“The Multilingual Learners Welcome Center embodies Linden Public Schools’ commitment to inclusivity and holistic student support,” said Superintendent Perkins. “By addressing academic, social, and emotional needs, we ensure that our multilingual learners thrive and develop a strong sense of belonging in our school community.”

For more information about the Multilingual Learners Welcome Center and its services, please contact Danie Orelien at [email protected] or 908-486-2800 ext. 8029.

Banner Image: Ribbon cutting ceremony. All Images Credit – Linden Public Schools

City Of Linden

Linden is a beautiful city located in Union County, NJ. We are centrally located, only 40 minutes from NYC, Brooklyn and other major cities nearby. Linden boasts affordable homes, and a communicative and cooperative diverse ethnic community.