Language Access

 
Hello in multiple languages

 

 
 

 

You are an important part of your child's education!

All parents have the right to information about their child’s education in a language they understand. When your child enrolls in school, the school will ask you about the language you would like to use when communicating with the school. This helps your school identify your language needs so they can provide an interpreter or translated documents, free of charge. 
If you have questions or would like to request an interpreter or a translation, your school can help. You can ask anyone in the school for help. You can also send an email to LanguageAccess@mvsd320.org

What is Language Access?

Language access ensures that every student and their family can fully participate in school programs, services and activities, regardless of the language they speak. It means providing interpreters, translated documents, and other tools to help them understand and communicate effectively. 

Parent Rights to Language Access

Language Access Policy and Procedures

  • 4218 English | 4218P English - coming soon
  • 4218 Spanish | 4218P Spanish - coming soon
  • 4218 Ukrainian | 4218P Ukrainian - coming soon

LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN

Purpose

The Mount Vernon School District Language Access Plan aligns with our district’s strategic plan. We are committed to communicating with all parents and guardians in a language they can understand. This includes providing information about district programs, services, and policies in their preferred language.
The purpose of the Language Access Plan is to:

  • Provide staff members with the necessary resources to effectively communicate with parents and guardians with limited English proficiency.

  • Equip parents and guardians with limited English proficiency with information to understand their rights and available services.

Definitions

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Individuals who are unable to communicate effectively in English either verbally or in writing, or both, because their primary language is not English, and they have not developed fluency in the English language. A person with limited English proficiency may have difficulty in one or more of four domains of language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Staff are urged to remember that limited English proficiency may be context-specific – e.g., a parent may have sufficient English language skills to understand, communicate, and exchange basic information with a teacher but they may not have sufficient skills to communicate detailed, specific information needed in a particular context, like an IEP meeting, a 504 meeting, or a student discipline hearing.

LEP Parent
A parent or guardian with limited proficiency in English, regardless of their child’s English fluency.

Primary Language
The primary language spoken by a student’s parent or guardian, or the predominant language spoken in the student’s home. Parents may have more than one primary language and/or dialect. 

Language Services
A broad spectrum of services used or required to facilitate communication and understanding between speakers of different languages, and typically includes interpretation and translation services. 

Interpretation
The process of first fully understanding, analyzing, and processing a spoken or signed message and then faithfully rendering it into another spoken or signed language.

Translation
The process of communicating the meaning of a written source-language text into an equivalent target-language text so that the content of both texts can be considered the same.

Identification of Families Needing Language Access Services
The process by which Mount Vernon School District identifies LEP families is through the Home Language Survey which is part of the enrollment packet. 

OPI Services
Over the phone interpreting services or over the phone interpreter. This is an on-demand service currently provided by Language Line and available to all staff. 

VRI Services
Video remote interpreting services or video remote interpreter. This is an on-demand service that will soon be available to all staff. 

Language Access Services

The district offers the following language services at no cost:

  • In-Person and Video Interpretation: Available in multiple languages.
  • Phone Interpretation: Available in over 200 languages through Language Line.
  • Document Translation: Vital documents will be translated upon request, subject to language population size and a few days’ notice.
  • Technology-Assisted Translation: Pocketalks are available at every school for basic communication needs. Please note that machine translation has limitations and may not be accurate for all content. 
  • Remind App: Remind allows for two-way communication through messages between teachers and parents/guardians in several languages. Parents/guardians can set their preferred language on the login page of Remind or the mobile app. To download the app:
  • Kits for In-Person Simultaneous Interpretation: The district has equipment with receivers and transmitters, called Talk & Listen System, for in-person simultaneous interpretation. These devices must be used for in-person events requiring simultaneous interpretation. Staff must reserve them if their building does not have one. For events longer than one hour, staff must request two simultaneous interpreters to align with industry standards.

How Parent/Guardian Can Access Interpretation and Translation

Parents and guardians can access language services in the following ways:

  • By Phone: If parents/guardians call their school and need an interpreter, they can ask for one. The staff will put them on hold and connect an interpreter over the phone. Multilingual staff in schools can also assist parent/guardians by phone when available. 

  • In Person: If parents/guardians come into a school building, they can point to their preferred language on the language poster found at the entrance of every school office or verbally request an interpreter. If a multilingual staff is not available, the school staff will connect an interpreter over the phone, via video, or use the Pocketalk device found at every school main office.
  • Document Translation: If parents/guardians need a document translated, they can request this service from their school.
  • Remind App: Parents/guardians are encouraged to download the Remind app on their mobile device and register to receive communication from the district and the school in their preferred language.

For questions about requesting an interpreter or a document translation, parents/guardians can contact the Language Access Coordinator at languageaccess@mvsd320.org.

How Staff Can Access Interpretation and Translation 

NOTE: Staff please confirm the family’s preferred language first by going into Skyward, check the Student’s Family Tab, then check the “Preferred Language” field. 

Interpretation (oral and ASL):

  • Use multilingual staff for regular communication with students and families with LEP.
  • For meetings such as parent-teacher conferences, special education meetings, discipline meetings, and school events, use trained district interpreters by using the District Interpreter List.
  • If no trained district interpreter is available, complete the Interpreter Request Form. Staff will be contacted with the name of the district interpreter or agency interpreter who will fill your request or you will be asked to use OPI services. 
  • Request an ASL interpreter by completing the Interpreter Request Form. 
  • Use Pocketalk devices for basic communication needs.

Translations (written): 

  • Use multilingual staff to support with translation of non-vital documents (i.e. flyers, newsletters).
  • For vital documents complete a Written Translation Request Form (i.e. district forms, transcripts, IEPs)
    • Please provide an editable copy of the document and be mindful of the turnaround times listed on the request form. 

OPI and VRI Services:

Notices - coming soon

Training and Professional Development - coming soon

Building Roles and Responsibilities - coming soon

Contact and Resources

Elizabeth Puga, Language Access Coordinator 
epuga@mvsd320.org or languageaccess@mvsd320.org
360-428-6254

Please contact the Language Access Coordinator for additional information or to request language services.

Concerns and Complaints

If you have concerns about the school’s interpretation or translation services—or if you were not offered an interpreter or translation you needed—you have several options.

Talk with your principal or a school employee you are comfortable with. A discussion with your school principal is often the best first step to address your concerns. Explain what happened, and let the principal know what they can do to help resolve the problem.

Talk with your school district. You can also contact the Mount Vernon School District’s Civil Rights Compliance officer Jon Ronngren at 360-428-6110 or jronngren@mvsd320.org to share your concerns.

Ask for help resolving your concerns. You can also contact the agencies below for more information about your rights or for assistance to resolve your concerns.

  • Equity and Civil Rights Office
    Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
    360-725-6162 | k12.wa.us/equity
     
  • Office of the Education Ombuds
    1-866-297-2597 | oeo.wa.gov

Guidance for District Staff on Working with Interpreters (IEP Meetings)

Guidance for District Staff on Working with Interpreters (Parent Teacher Conferences)