Communicating with Parents

Schools are required by federal law to communicate with parents in a language they can understand.

During the registration process, it is important for the parents to be able to read and complete information in their native language. With that in mind, each school should implement a basic registration packet in the main languages the school encounters. The District registration packet and other key documents are available in Spanish, which is LCSD's most common language. If a form is not available, send the English form along with a note in the parents’ language asking the parents to have the information translated for them. 

The school staff member responsible for registering new students should have these packets available at all times. If a parent comes in who doesn’t speak English, or is quite limited in it, the school must provide all key documents necessary to register in their home language, either by providing access to the information digitally or a hard copy.

NOTE: Under no circumstances should you ever ask for a social security number, green card, or other proof of legal U.S. residency (not to be confused with residency in the District). As a school employee, you are also under no obligation and are actually forbidden, to make public any information about a student’s status as an undocumented resident. Please refer to Appendix E for more information.

Within 30 days of the beginning of the school year, or within two weeks of being placed in the ESOL program after the beginning of the year, LEP students’ parents must be notified of the following in a language they can understand.

 During the Conference, the MLPS should:

1. Communicate the child's language proficiency results and educational needs.

2. Explain the classroom and standardized testing accommodations that will be made.

3. Address suggestions, questions, or concerns of content-area teachers.

4. Address suggestions, questions, or concerns of parents/guardians.

5. Provide parents with a copy of the Accommodation Plan.

** The MLPS should already have informed the classroom teacher of the necessary classroom accommodations and modifications and provided a copy of the plan. The MLPS should already have a signed copy of this on file.

Refusing MLP Services

If parents do not want their children to receive MLPL services, they have the right to waive such services.  To do so, they need to sign a District Waiver Form (available from the MLPS - Ellevation) stating that they understand the potential consequences of doing so (e.g., Their child may have more difficulty acquiring English, etc).  they have the right at any time to reverse this decision and request that their child is reassessed and receive MLP Services again.  Waivered students are still eligible for classroom and testing accommodations and modifications.  a new waiver form should be completed every year for as long as a waivered student qualifies for MLP services.