Communicating with Teachers and Other School Staff

BY LORNA GILMOUR, Equity and Family Partnerships Specialist ISD

Approximately 26% of people from Issaquah, Newcastle, and Sammamish were not born in the United States. For Bellevue, that number is higher at 36%. As a result, parents who did not attend school in the U.S. have many questions and challenges in navigating through the school system when their children start attending U.S. public schools.

Our schools are very diverse. The Issaquah School District recognizes that to support and ensure the academic and social well-being of our students, we must also make sure that our families feel welcome and safe to reach out to district staff for support. To reduce barriers and ensure that families can navigate the schools in support of their children, the District has several supports.

Families new to the schools are encouraged to attend Issaquah School District events to better understand the school system (see page 13). When children start grades 6-12, many families are surprised at the number of options in course selection. In many countries, students don’t have such options. Navigating school systems, including course selection, extracurricular opportunities, absences and attendance, may be a challenge. Attend one of the many events hosted by the District. There are parent workshop events held by Family Partnership district staff and other staff to help families better understand and get answers to questions.

In addition to holding monthly parent workshops, the District also has Family Partnership Liaison employees at each school. Liaisons can help families complete the registration process, answer questions about school systems in general, connect with appropriate staff, and learn more about the many district learning management systems such as Clever and Canvas to better support their children.

Parents have a right to access important information and opportunities for their children in their language. The Issaquah School District website and all the schools' websites have the Google translate feature. In addition, the District and elementary schools send out their Enews in a format that can be easily translated using the translate feature.

If English is not your preferred language of communication, please make sure that you mark that on your Enrollment Verification form in August. Teachers and school staff can communicate with you in your preferred language at no cost to you. The District has interpreters available for meeting on the phone, on Zoom calls, or in person. It is important that the staff knows that you have a preferred language other than English so that they can offer you this service.

Parent Rights

From Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI – Washington State Education Department)

You are an important part of your child’s education! The school will communicate with you—in your language— about your child’s education. This often includes translated documents and a language interpreter for meetings and conversations. You have the right to these services even if you speak some English and even if your child can speak or read in English. The school will communicate with you in your language about important information and opportunities for your child.

Meetings and conversations with teachers and school employees

When you talk with teachers or school employees, the school will offer an interpreter if you need one. This includes parent-teacher conferences, meetings about special education, or any other conversations about your child’s education.

The school will use only competent interpreters who are fluent in English and in your language. The school will make sure interpreters understand any terms or concepts that will be used during the meeting. The school will not use students or children as interpreters.

The interpreter should be neutral and should communicate everything said during the conversation. They should not omit or add to what anyone says. The school will make sure interpreters understand their role and the need to keep information confidential. The interpreter might be in person or on the phone and might be district staff or an outside contractor.

The school will offer an interpreter for any meetings or conversations at school or about your child’s education. You can also ask the school if you need one.