Who are EL Students?

English Learner (EL) refers to students whose primary language is not English. Often, EL is a specific designation reserved for students who are receiving English language services from their school.

Interpretation/Translation Procedures 

Patty Ehleringer is the district’s interpreter/translator for Spanish-language parents. 278 of our students have parents who prefer information in Spanish. Your building secretary can define this for you based on the registration cards. It is also accessible through Synergy. 

What are our Civil Rights Obligations Regarding Providing Information to Parents in Their Native Language?

We have a Civil Rights obligation to provide our Spanish language parents the same information we provide our English-only parents. With this in mind, please adhere to the following guidelines: 

1. Mrs. Ehleringer should attend all meetings and conferences involving Spanish language parents. Having students, bilingual teachers, or family members interpret at meetings is not acceptable. Mrs. Ehleringer has specific training, particularly in IEP meetings, and should be exclusively assigned this work. At conferences, which involve many parents at once, Mrs. Ehleringer will arrange for other Spanish speakers to provide interpretation. 

2. Mrs. Ehleringer should translate all parent documents, including permission forms, course outlines, athletic information, discipline letters, newsletters, etc. Mrs. Ehleringer keeps a library of forms, so many already exist and just need minor adjustments. Again, anything that goes to parents in English would likewise be translated for Spanish-preferred parents. 

3. With regards to IEPs, the following documents should be translated when a parent needs information in a different language than English:

• Meeting Notices

• Prior Written Notices

• Progress Notes

• Summaries of evaluation reports (Psych’s, SLP’s, Learning Specialists, OT’s, PT’s, etc).

Staff should also be aware procedural safeguards are available in numerous languages on ODE's website at the following link: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/rules-and-policies/Pages/Procedural-Safeguards.aspx. 

4. Mrs. Ehleringer should also attend any general parent gatherings, such as Open House, financial aid/college workshops, Awards Night, etc. 

Our Civil Rights obligation does not extend beyond Spanish at this time. We are not required to provide services in every language; it is based on enrollment numbers. There are circumstances, such as IEPS or discipline, where we are required to interpret/translate in other languages. 

Please consult with the MRSD EL and Migrant Director if you have questions. 

How can staff Collaborate with our District Interpreter Effectively?

The key to effective service from Patty is to plan ahead and give her sufficient time to perform these duties. She is a five-hour employee. Mrs. Ehleringer will flex her time as needed, but as a courtesy give her as much notice as possible. She can be reached via email at patty.ehleringer@molallariv.k12.or.us. Her phone number is 503-351-8769. Patty is housed at Molalla Elementary School, but please contact her should you have an emergency with a Spanish-language parent. She can interpret over the phone or come to your building.