Overview: During the recent Edina School Board meeting, the board addressed issues surrounding the impact of national rhetoric on the local Somali community. Community members voiced concerns over the fear and anxiety that students and families are experiencing due to national remarks targeting the Somali community. Parents highlighted the emotional strain on their children, with one mother describing her children’s fears of deportation despite being U.S. citizens. The board was urged to foster a sense of support and unity by broadly communicating messages of hope and inclusivity, as current communications were perceived as insufficient.