Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student Services

Email Us | 520-232-8614 | 3645 E. Pima St., Tucson, AZ 85716 (Catalina HS) | Map (google.com)

Desert Museum Field Trip

On January 30, students from the TKAP program visited the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where they learned more about the plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home.

Students watch a presentation in an auditorium

Students walk down a path outside at the Desert Museum

Students wearing their TKAP shirts listen to a talk under the gazebo

UPCOMING EVENTS

About Us

Susan Osiago
Director
Languages: English & Swahili
Our Staff

Mission

By addressing language barriers, promoting understanding, and facilitating communication, Asian Pacific American Refugee Student Services supports the academic achievement, and personal growth of students and families from Asian Pacific American and Refugee backgrounds.

The departments work is grounded in progressive legal frameworks stipulated in U.S Supreme Court rulings Lau V. Nichols (1974), & Plyer V. Doe (1982) regarding non-discrimination and access to meaningful participation for English Language students in educational programs.

APARSS Strategic Plan SY 23-25
TUSD Strategic Plan

APARSS works directly with several TUSD departments and community partners to support:

Student Enrollment and Registration
Student Language and Academic Development
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Student Leadership Development, Advocacy, and Community Involvement
Student and Family Access to Community Resources, and Social Services
Community and District Intercultural Competency Trainings, and Professional Development
College Preparation and Application
Etc.

School Registration

We are committed to help students and parents/caregivers with school registration by providing translation and interpretation services in the following languages: Swahilli, French, Korean, Kirundi, Kinyawanda, Spanish, Portugese, Arabic, Aramaic, Kurdish, Dari, Farsi, Vietnamese, Pashto, Urdu and Hindi.

Registration Info

World Refugee Day

Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee. Together, we can champion their right to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions to their plight. https://www.unhcr.org/us/world-refugee-day

As home to hundreds of new refugees each year, the Tucson community comes together every June to remember the plight of refugees around the world and celebrate the lives of those who have been resettled in Tucson.

APARSS Hosts Inaugural Tip Top Event

Information sessions on Graduation requirements, scholarships and FAFSA.

Graduation Requirments

FAFSA (Federal Studnet Aid)
The 2024-25 FAFSA form is now available. They will begin sending submitted applications to colleges and states in the first half of March. Learn more about FAFSA updates. All eligible students should complete the FAFSA beginning Oct. 1st for the following school year. Watch for priority deadlines for the colleges of your choice.

Arizona Priority Deadlines (FAFSA Checklist)

Northern Arizona University – November 15
Arizona State University – January 1
University of Arizona – March 1
Pima Community College – March 1

RESOURCES

APARSS Agencies

Asian Pacific American

Pan Asian Community Alliance –
Services offered: Afterschool tutoring, US Citizenship and ESL classes.
OCA Asian Pacific American Advocate –
Services offered: API related advocates, AAHNPI seminar & PD sessions for TUSD teachers and students, Support APA art contest and high school students leadership conferences
Tucson Chinese Cultural Center –
Services offered: health and wellness programs for communities, cultural presentations, educational classes and Chinese language schools.
University of Arizona – Asian Pacific American Student Affair –
Services offered: Support Students to provide information about scholarships and work study opportunities, advocate for AANHPI students well-being and offer study abroad opportunities and field trips.

English Language Learners

Family Toolkit - Public school information for families.
Monitoring English Language Learner Profiency
STEM Programs
School support for English Language Learners
Advice for New Teachers of ELL
English Language Learner Toolkit
Newcomer Toolkit

Higher Learning & Training

University of Arizona –
Services offered: Online tutoring.
Pima Community College –
Services offered: Referral to adult basic education centers-ABECC/College and Career Readiness workshops.

Refugee Students and Families

Collaboration with Agencies

Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program –
Services offered: Basic needs, child and family, Disabilities, other adults, and employment.
Catholic Community Services –
Services offered: Basic Services, deaf/blind, family, refugee/immigration services and more.
International Rescue Committee –
Services offered: Economic well-being, education, health empowerment and safety.
Tucson Refugee Ministry –
Services offered: refugee resettlement and much more.
Lutheran Social Services –
Services offered: Refugee/immigration services and more.
Jewish Family and Children’s services of Southern Arizona –
Services offered: Refugee services and much more.
Pima Health Department –
Services offered: Immunizations, Dental treatment and much more.