Norfolk plans for 150 new students as migrants move into old prison turned shelter

NORFOLK - When Massachusetts first announced a temporary emergency shelter would open in an old prison in Norfolk , there was immediate concern over the impact it would have on schools.

Norfolk residents have students in their own district and the hybrid King Philip Regional District. They are now set to take on a 150 more school-aged kids by the fall.

133 now living in old prison

Those students and their families have already started moving into the old Bay State Correctional Center. At an informational session with school leaders Thursday evening, it was revealed that 133 people had already moved into the shelter. Thirty-three of them are students.

With a forced hand from the state of Massachusetts, town leaders have been working for weeks to figure out how to make this work. Concern over the last few weeks has been around space and resources. Parents said the elementary school had already been struggling with space over the last couple of years.

"We are looking to meet the needs of our newcomer students as well as to make sure that all of our programs remain strong and rigorous and that we are meeting the needs of all the students that we currently have," said Norfolk Schools Superintendent Dr. Ingrid Allardi.

State support

During the meeting, leaders revealed the state would cover the cost of additional ESL teachers, support staff, and transportation to and from the shelter.

The elementary school will receive a $250,000 grant from the state to turn office space into classrooms. The district's goal is to keep class sizes under 21 students.