ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Thirty-nine immigrant students from the RPS 'Newcomers' program participated in health and wellness activities at Peak Fitness in Rockford this morning.

The 'Newcomers' program is designed for high school students who have recently moved to the U.S. and are not yet ready for regular classes. Many of these students come from refugee camps in Ukraine and Palestine.

"These refugee students are the hardest-working students I've ever met. They are here to raise up the community, to make the community better. That's what diversity does. When we accept everyone, and we love everyone, we're just a bigger family with more gifts than if we don't," said math and science teacher Susan Griffeth.

The program focuses on teaching students how to read, write, and speak English to

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