Stamford parents aim to break down barriers for immigrant students

STAMFORD — Three years ago, a group of parents whose children are students in Stamford Public Schools took it upon themselves to engage the community on the challenges to educating immigrant youth.

Calling themselves the POWER Program, these parents from throughout the school district sought to work with teachers and other parents to break down barriers.

On Tuesday, five Roxbury Elementary School parents — Ileana Guajardo, Rira Primo, Nancy Barrera, Maria Zapata, and Rosa Rojas — organized a meeting with Roxbury teachers and staff to identify strategies and discuss issues facing these students, whether they are immigrants themselves or children of immigrants.