BK South LAAB Community Resources - P.S.193 - Leveraging School Staff & Parents to Enhance Family Engagement

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P.S.193 - Leveraging School Staff & Parents to Enhance Family Engagement

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Prapared by Lori Ramos Johnson, Parent Coordinator of P.S. 193 Gil Hondges School

At PS 193, we have leveraged our school staff and parent partnerships to help provide additional translation and interpretation services for our school community by starting a Translation and Interpretation Committee. Our volunteers are trained on how to assist with interpretation and basic translation services during events such as Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) night, during workshops and family fun nights. Volunteers help review some of the documents that are sent out (no legal documents of course) and help us bridge the gap between school and home communications for our parents that may need these services. This is only needed for documents that do not meet the 2 week minimum turnaround window for Translation services. All other documents are sent to the Translation Unit.

One of the ways that our translation team has been successful in supporting our LEP Community is with our Translation and Interpretation Hub at our Parent Teacher Conference Night where parents are able to sign up for translation/Interpretation services for their one on One meetings. When creating this opportunity, the following steps were necessary:

Confirm Interpreters prior to PTC notice distribution so that available languages can be offered with advance notice and be sure to let parents know that the volunteers are parents.
Sign in sheets for parents needing services should be available (In each available translated language) with disclaimers reminding parents that our interpreters are volunteers and that by signing they acknowledge this and authorize the Interpreter to provide assistance. Sign in sheets also ask for appointment time and class so that the interpreter knows when to visit the classroom.
A notice/memo to teachers advising of the process so they are aware of the options and so they know how to reach the hub for parents that may not have signed in and scheduled an interpreter. This notice should also suggest the 800 # for interpreters as a back up option.
The Hub is set up in an open and easily noticeable and accessible area with a phone, at least one tables and chairs. Signs should be posted on tables and on each floor notifying parents of the available services and where to find us.
All Translators should have name tags listing their names (if possible) but definitely language translated and asking parents if they need interpretation services. (In the translated languages)

So far this process has worked great for the P.S. 193 school community and we are happy to share it with all who may benefit.

If you have any questions about the Brooklyn South Advisory Board, please contact Elena Cunneely at Brooklyn South Borough Office at ECunneely@schools.nyc.gov.