LINKed Helps New Families Maneuver New Schools

Heike Engwicht certainly remembers her family’s move from Hildesheim, Germany to Fox Point in June 2010. She had given up a 20-year corporate job to join her husband, Bernd, and their children, Leslie and Jo Connor, in a new life in the United States.

In addition to adjusting to a brand new culture, one of Heike’s primary responsibilities was helping her son and daughter learn the ropes of an entirely new school system.

It wasn’t easy.

“When we came last year we got help from the school, a secretary and the teachers but we learned everything by ourselves,” Engwicht said. “There was no other family that helped us but I was tough enough to ask. When there was a problem, I would call the school and just asked.”  

Engwicht’s story is a familiar one, whether a family moves from a foreign country or from a different state, it can be very difficult having to learn about a new community, new people and to get acclimated with a new school system.

Typical questions new families face are where to drop their kids off, where and when to pick them up, what to do when there is a half day of school, how to participate in conferences, and many more. Last summer, the Fox Point-Bayside PTO began working to find a way to smooth that transition for new families, and answer many of these questions. The answer is LINKed. 

“We wanted to reach out to families that are new to our schools," LINKed chairperson Debbie Friberg said. "It’s linking new families to the school with a host family that’s been with our school for at least a year. We’re requiring the host families to make a monthly phone call to reach out to the new families to see how things are going, and if they can help in any way.”

While Engwicht didn’t have the advantage of the LINKed program, when she was asked in August, she was more than happy to become one of the new host families.

“That’s the reason that we are a LINKed family - to help other families," Engwicht said.

But Engwicht hasn't just taken on helping one family, she works with two; one from Brazil and one from Mexico. And she says that because both families have lived in other countries, they're used to getting acclimated to new surroundings.

"Both families also speak English so it’s easier for them to get into the system," she said.

Once a new family moves into the community, getting started in the LINKed program is simple. Friberg says you simply contact , or herself, fill out a short form and you're set.

"We’ll match you up with a family that hopefully has a similar profile," Friberg said. "The family will contact you to welcome you, see how you’re doing, and see if you have any questions about our schools.”

Friberg says that so far, she has been absolutely amazed with the response to LINKed.

“When I started this, I figured we’d maybe have 10 new families that would be interested,” she said. “We planned to have a little pot luck event to meet each other. But surprisingly, with the housing market the way it’s been and interest rates being low, we’ve had 69 new families enter our school system just in September. I was overwhelmed!”

All the newly arriving families has translated into 50 new kids at Stormonth and 30 more at Bayside.

With such a welcomed response to LINKed, Friberg is actively looking for many more host families.

“This is a friendly way to show people things like how to find a new doctor or what they need to do to help their children adjust to a new school,” Engwicht said. “I have more free time these days so I enjoy helping other families.”

Friberg also wants to remind people that this isn't just a one-and-done program. It's a constant outreach to keep families connected with all kinds of activities.

“In November, we’re going to get together for a bingo night so kids from 2 years old to eighth grade can play," she said. "We’ll have a dessert pot luck or something to keep things going. We want our school system - and hopefully, the whole North Shore will do this - so that it will be known that our schools are very welcoming. We want to be helpful and make everyone feel comfortable and a part of our family.”

Those interested in receiving help through the LINKed program or who want to become a host family can contact Friberg directly at 414-247-1912.