Parent Involvement Center & Language Line

Location: Room: A148

Open Daily from 8:00 a.m. –7:00.p.m.

The Parental Involvement Center is committed to support the families of all the students at Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools.  The center works to complement the over all mission at Bell/Lincoln as schools that support the academic progress and personal development of each student attending Bell/Lincoln Schools.

How does the PIC support the teachers and staff at Bell/Lincoln?

•   To coordinate parental breakfasts with the Principal and to encourage teachers and counselors to participate – Dates and time will be posted in the weekly bulletin.

•   To provide support with general phone messages– a computerized phone system used for homework line, daily attendance and school wide activities to remind or invite parents in different languages to learn more about their sons and daughters and the school in general.

•   To assist teachers and administrators to communicate with, and arrange conferences with parents as needed.

•   To assist teachers with materials for parents that require translation as needed.

•   To interpret or and assist with resource arrangements when teachers need to communicate with parents.

•   To assist or arrange home visit as needed.

•   To coordinate parent workshops during which teachers are encouraged to participate in the formation of workshops.  Requests will be provided via teacher mailboxes.

•   To provide assistance during parent/teacher conferences and to facilitate the delivery of student materials to be shared with parents.

•   To coordinate the International Dinner with full participation of teachers, parents and the community.

•   To coordinate the PTSO Committee to encourage teachers and parents to participate.

•   To assist teachers with parent contact log.

•   To support teachers or school staff in any school wide parental/family initiative.

•   To support teachers with any initiatives or activities – particularly as the parents need to be contacted e.g. Stanford-9 Exam or School Standards Tests.

•   Coordinated parents’ workshops about DCCAS, Portfolios, Special Education, Discipline, Gangs and Substance Abuse.

•   Support The Capital Campaign (New Building)

•   Assuring Parent Representation in Governance Committees in the School.  (e.g. LSRT, PTSO, MCIP Board)

LANGUAGE LINE DIRECTIONS for  DC GOVERNMENT– PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Keep this Quick Reference Guide (QRG) nearby for easy reference to effectively utilize Language Line®

Over-the-phone Interpretation Service.

1. Use Conference Hold to place the limited English speaker on hold.

2. Dial: 1 (800) 874-9426

3. Client ID Number 511049

4. Press 1 for Spanish, Press 2 for All other Languages

5. Enter or provide the agent your Access Code 701001

An Interpreter will be connected to the call.

6. Brief the Interpreter. Summarize what you wish to accomplish and give any special instructions.

7. ADD THE limited-ENGLISH SPEAKER to the line.

8. Say “End of Call” to the Interpreter when the call is completed.

NOTE: When placing a call to a limited-English speaker, begin at Step 2. If you need assistance placing a

call to a limited-English speaker, please inform the interpreter at the beginning of the call.

UNKNOWN LANGUAGE – If you do not know which language to request, our representative will help you.

LINE QUALITY PROBLEMS – If you have problems before reaching a representative, press “0” to be

transferred. If there is a sound quality problem, ask the representative to stay on the line to check for sound

quality. If you have problems connecting to an Interpreter call Customer Service at 1-800-752-6096.

WORKING WITH AN INTERPRETER – Give the Interpreter specific questions to relay. Group your thoughts

or questions to help conversation flow quickly.

LENGTH OF CALL – Expect interpreted comments to run a bit longer than English phrases. Interpreters

convey meaning-for-meaning, not word-for-word. Concepts familiar to English speakers often require

explanation or elaboration in other languages and cultures.

INTERPRETER IDENTIFICATION – Our Interpreters identify themselves by first name and number only.

For reasons of confidentiality, they do not divulge either their full names or phone number.

DEMONSTRATION LINE – To hear a recorded demonstration of over-the-phone interpretation call our

demonstration line at 1-800-996-8808 or visit our website at www.LanguageLine.com

DOCUMENT TRANSLATION – We also provide written translation services, for more information please

contact our Document Translation Department at 1-888-763-3364 or email translation@languageline.com.

CUSTOMER SERVICE – To provide feedback, commend an Interpreter, or report any service concerns, call

Customer Service at 1-800-752-6096.