Parents & families
PTA and PTO groups, informal parent networks, and school community groups are natural starting points. They care about student safety, school communication, and trust.
Community organizing
Protecting students is not something one person or one group can do alone.
Real change happens when parents, educators, students, faith groups, and community organizations work together around a shared, specific ask. A strong coalition is more credible to school boards, more representative of the community, harder to ignore, and more sustainable over time.
What is a coalition?
A coalition is a group of individuals and organizations working toward a shared goal. For this campaign, that goal is clear: ensure schools have policies that protect students from immigration enforcement and prioritize safety, trust, and access to education.
Coalitions do not require everyone to agree on everything. They require alignment on specific, achievable goals — and those goals can be framed in ways that resonate across a wide range of people and groups.
Start with a clear, shared ask
Before reaching out to any group, be clear about what you are asking for. Vague goals make it hard to recruit partners and harder to measure progress. The three core asks for this campaign are:
- Require a judicial warrant for any immigration enforcement access to non-public school areas
- Provide training for all school staff on how to respond to enforcement situations
- Establish clear communication protocols with families
These asks are practical, safety-focused, and nonpartisan in framing. They are grounded in existing best practices from districts that have already acted.
Where to find partners
Think broadly. Many groups already care about student safety, clear procedures, and school stability — even if they don't frame it around immigration.
Educators & school staff
Teachers — especially those working with multilingual learners — counselors, social workers, and front office staff care about student wellbeing and having clear protocols in a crisis.
Students & youth groups
Student clubs, multicultural and social justice organizations, student government, and youth organizing groups bring credibility and visibility. Student voices carry particular weight with school boards.
Faith communities
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and interfaith coalitions often engage from a sense of moral responsibility to protect families and children in their community.
Community & advocacy organizations
Immigrant rights organizations, civil rights groups, legal aid organizations, and refugee support groups have direct relationships with affected families and deep expertise.
Health & mental health professionals
Pediatricians, therapists, and school psychologists bring credibility around the documented impacts of fear and instability on child health and development.
Civic & service organizations
Rotary clubs, neighborhood associations, and local cultural organizations care about community stability and are often looking for concrete ways to engage.
Local business community
Employers, chambers of commerce, and business owners who depend on stable, educated workers and families in the community often have an interest in school stability that goes beyond politics.
How to approach different groups
Not every group will respond to the same message. Meet people where they are — the goal is a working relationship, not ideological alignment.
Lead with shared values
Avoid political framing. Focus on the things most people agree on regardless of where they stand on immigration broadly:
- Student safety and stability
- Clear, consistent procedures for staff
- Preventing unnecessary fear and disruption in schools
- Keeping schools focused on education
"We're working to make sure schools have clear, consistent policies so students and
staff know what to do in a stressful situation."
Be specific about what you need
People are more likely to say yes when they know exactly what is being asked. Give potential partners real options:
- Attend a school board meeting
- Share information with their network or congregation
- Co-sign a letter to the district
- Host a small community discussion
- Provide expertise — legal, mental health, education, communications
Meet people where they are
Some groups will be ready to act immediately. Others may be cautious — and that is normal. You can start with a conversation rather than a commitment. Share information and resources. Ask for input before asking for action.
Groups that feel heard are far more likely to become active partners than groups that feel recruited. Listening is organizing.
Build relationships, not just lists
A coalition is not a list of names — it is relationships built on trust. The difference matters when you need people to show up, speak at a meeting, or stay engaged when progress is slow.
- Listen as much as you talk — understand each group's concerns and priorities
- Follow up consistently — one conversation does not build trust
- Give people real roles, not just their name on a list
- Recognize contributions publicly when you can
You also do not need everyone to agree on immigration policy broadly. You need agreement on student safety, lawful procedures, and school stability. Keep the coalition grounded in those practical, shared goals.
Coordinate your efforts
As your coalition grows, coordination becomes the job. Even simple systems make a real difference.
Shared communication
A group email list or messaging platform keeps everyone informed without requiring constant one-on-one outreach. Decide early how you will communicate and keep it simple.
Regular check-ins
Short, focused meetings — even monthly — keep momentum going and give partners a way to stay connected without it feeling like a second job.
Clear roles
Assign specific responsibilities: outreach, research, speaking at meetings, communications, relationship maintenance. People show up more reliably when they know what they own.
A shared plan
Even a simple, shared document outlining your timeline, asks, and next steps helps everyone pull in the same direction. Campaigns without a plan drift.
Move toward action
The goal of the coalition is not discussion — it is change. Discussion without action loses people. Keep your coalition moving toward concrete steps.
Key coalition actions
- Attend and speak at school board meetings — in numbers
- Request meetings with district administrators and the superintendent
- Submit a formal written policy request to the board
- Show consistent, visible community support across multiple meetings
- Engage local media to build public awareness
Keep it sustainable
Campaigns that burn out fail — even if the cause is right. Build for the long run:
- Share leadership so no one person carries everything
- Celebrate small wins — a meeting, a letter, a new partner
- Keep goals focused and realistic at each stage
- Bring in new people regularly to maintain energy
A strong coalition grows over time. The ones that win are the ones still showing up six months in.
Talking to your PTA
Parent groups are one of the most accessible starting points for coalition building. Here is how to raise the issue effectively.
PTA Guide →Model policy
Having a draft policy in hand makes your ask concrete. Review the model policy language and bring it to your first meetings.
Model Policy →Organize a full campaign
Coalition building is one piece. See how all the campaign pieces fit together, from research through board action.
Campaign Guide →You don't have to do everything. You just have to start.
Building a coalition takes time — but it is one of the most effective ways to create lasting change. When diverse groups come together around student safety, school boards listen. Bring one more person into the conversation, and then another.