Chambana Mom to Know: Nuria Arwari

Thank you to Urbana’s Sunnycrest Press, publishers of the Wide Mouth Frog Goes to the Zoo and its accompanying mobile application, for sponsoring today’s mom to know!

Nuria Arwari is a native of Argentina, where she lived the first 26 years of her life and went to University. She came to Champaign-Urbana eight years ago when her husband, Andy, finished his medical residency and was hired by Carle. She has worked at Leal Elementary in Urbana as well as the Champaign Unit 4 schools as a Spanish translator/interpreter. Currently, she is a stay-at-home and a heavy volunteer at her children’s schools. Nuria’s two children, Julia and Alex, will both be in middle school this year. The family lives in Champaign.

See why we think Nuria is a Chambana Mom to Know.

Nuria Arwari Chambana mom to know — Find out why we think Nuria Arwari is a Chambana mom to know. Photo provided

Q: You have been very active in the public schools. Has language ever been a barrier to your participation? If so how have you dealt with this challenge?

We had lived in Florida when we first came to the United States – my husband’s family lives there. Even though I took English in high school, I registered in a Miami community college and took English in order to become fluent and to able to communicate and write in English. Once we moved to New York I had to start communicating purely in English and that helped me to become proficient at it.

I have always been very social and had the need to communicate with people. I think that is what drives me to learn and has helped me break linguistic barriers whenever I encounter them. I firmly believe that one places his or her own barriers, there is nothing you can not overcome if you try to communicate with people in their own language. I have found that if you put your best effort forward, people tend to appreciate the fact that you try and welcome your efforts.

Q: What changes have you seen as a result of your involvement?

I have always been involved and had volunteered in my children’s school. We have had the privilege of being welcomed in Champaign Unit 4. I have encountered many receptive and helpful people along the way. The change we have observed is basically that the sense of community at the schools can be improved by example. When you volunteer, become involved and help at school you not only help your school and children but you get the satisfaction to help improve school environment and quality of education for all children. I have made many lifelong friends among school parents, teachers, staff and administration. I hope I have inspired my children to follow in our footsteps and to become individuals that can help their community as well.

Q: Your son Alex has some challenges. What kind of activities have you been involved with to promote his educational and social experience in the public schools and community?

Our son Alex has educational challenges. I have tried to be involved as much as possible in school activities. We have attended as many school special events as possible. We have had Alex involved in school band and social groups as well as a private social skills group. He has played some team sports like hockey and soccer. We had looked into many activities until we found the ones that Alex felt more comfortable at. He is currently a Boy Scouts and really enjoys the adventurous nature of it. I , on my side, have been involved in our school PTA helping to promote and organize school events.

Q: What advice do you have for parents of children who are starting elementary school this fall, who want to get involved in their child’s school?

Visit your school if possible with your child or children, get to know the staff, teachers and administration. Try to attend school forums and open houses, but if that is not possible request an appointment with the school administration and tour the school facilities. Communicate, communicate and communicate with school about any question you may have. You may feel anxious about your child starting school and the best way to deal with it is to get answers to as many questions as you may have before school starts. First and foremost be open and honest about any concern you may have about your child starting elementary school and ask how would they handle the situations that may arise – especially if your child has a disability. Once school has started work along side school staff teachers and administration to assure that your child educational experience is successful. Volunteer and be some a member of your child’s school PTA if possible.

Q: What are your favorite things to do together as a family in C-U?

We love having ice cream at the local ice cream place. Watching movies at the iMax theater and taking short trips the the mall and local parks. We also enjoy our local bookstore. We take part of as many school events as we can. We attend annually the “Walk for Autism” as a family with a large group of Westview staff, teachers and administration.

Nuria Arwari was nominated to be a Chambana mom to know. Do you know of a mom or dad who should be featured? Contact us today!