NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Tuesday marks one week since Election Day, and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) teachers and counselors say they’ve received more questions than normal from Latino students.
Students have reported experiencing increased anxiety, heightened emotions, and even some experiencing crisis post-election, according to school officials.
MNPS says the district always has counseling services available for students in need. Additionally, some schools are now holding small group sessions as needed for students to get together and talk about their problems.
News 2 sat down Monday with four Latino families. All the parents we talked to are undocumented immigrants, but their children were born in the United States and are American citizens.
They all said their number one fear right now is being deported.
Myrna, a mother-of-three who only wanted to use her first name, said her daughter tells her to be careful when she goes out.
Myrna’s kids are worried about their mom being deported because they know she is undocumented.
MNPS wanted to stress that the counseling services don’t come down to one side of the election or another.
“But given the divisiveness and the rhetoric used, some of our students have asked for an adult to talk to,” said an MNPS spokesman.
Williamson County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney issued a unifying statement on Twitter:
“All WCS students and employees WILL experience a warm and welcoming environment regardless of national origin, race, or religious beliefs.”