The Albany School District put out guidance last month about what to do if ICE agents show up and who to call.

“We’re watching the news, we’re watching for any laws that pass and certainly executive orders that may change our experience from the previous administration to this one,” said Albany School Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter.

School leaders have had virtual conversations and training.

Hochreiter says partnerships are key.

“We have been in regular communication with the mayor and her team almost daily,” he said. “She has connections at the federal level about any movement with ICE or changes in policies or what some of the executive orders that have happened mean, or what potential executive orders could mean.”

Local superintendents have been communicating often about this topic.

Across the country, some teachers say they’re concerned about students no longer wanting to show up for school.

In Albany, Hochreiter says they’ve heard from families about some of the fears that children have about what could happen.

They want students to feel safe at school, and to have it be a secure environment where children can focus on learning.

Hochreiter says they believe diversity is their strength.

The superintendent says they do not anticipate agents going into school, but they do know that’s a concern for some.

“But we wanted to be very very clear and let all of our families and students know that we will comply with the law but that ICE should not be doing its business on school property or in schools and we will enforce that as best as we can.”