Retired teacher requests Newton reinstate international student program

Ina Heidemann, a retired school teacher and coach, stood next to the 14-year-old son of a former exchange student from Germany as she asked the Newton Community School District Board of Education to reinstate the international student program at the high school, saying it is beneficial for all students.

In addition to teaching at Woodrow Wilson Elementary and Berg Middle School for almost 40 years, Heidemann was “an international mom” and had eight students from across the globe graduate from Newton. The teenager at her side was Hannes Klatt, whose father graduated from Newton High School in 1991.

“Hannes is here investigating where his dad was at school,” Heidemann said. “…He really likes what he sees. He came in hopes of thinking of coming here, to go to school like his dad did. But (the high school principal) and I talked. We don’t have an international student program at Newton any longer.”

It is a real shame, she added, because the international students not only serve as ambassadors of their country but also expose Newton students to a person outside of the United States. Heidemann strongly encouraged the board to reinstate the program, acknowledging it does cost money.

Newton Principal Bill Peters told the Daily News that the high school did have an international student program but it lapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most countries were more restrictive than the United States, he said. The program has since been moved to the authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In addition to a $3,000 application fee, there is a yearly rate of $695 and $120 for the cost of a school inspection.

“After the application has been submitted, along with the ($3,000), it is an estimated six- to nine-month waiting period, then the inspection and then they will render a decision if a school is accepted,” Peters said. “So it is likely we will have the program again, but it takes time.”