School Communications

Introduction

The Language Access Plan for Intermediate District 287 is designed for all families, caregivers, and students to fully access educational programs, services, and activities, regardless of their language proficiency. The plan details the processes to render effective language assistance (interpretation, translation, or any additional assistance due to a disability) to meet the diverse language needs of the community. Its primary goal is to support clear, effective communication between staff, families, and caregivers, promoting meaningful involvement in the educational process. These services are in place to ensure that every family/caregiver has the opportunity to participate in and understand their child's educational experience.

Purpose and Authority

District 287’s Language Access Plan is grounded in federal and state laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 13166, and Minn. Stat. 123B.32. These laws require the district to provide timely and effective language assistance services to all students and their families or caregivers. Upholding inclusion as a core value, District 287 is committed to removing language barriers preventing individuals from being fully informed and engaged in their child’s education. The plan provides clear guidelines and processes to ensure equitable access and participation. To maintain its effectiveness, the plan will be reviewed and updated every two years by the District 287’s school board, ensuring it adapts to the evolving needs of the community.

Summary of the Plan

The Language Access Plan provides a clear framework for offering interpretation services, including spoken language and American Sign Language (ASL), as well as translation services. It includes guidelines for initiating services, considerations for service delivery, and standards for how staff are expected to work with interpreters. The plan also specifies the steps for requesting services, both for planned and urgent needs, and emphasizes the importance of accessibility to all educational and administrative activities.

Key components of the plan include the following:

• Interpretation Service Request: Families or caregivers may request an interpreter directly, indicate a language preference during online registration, or staff may initiate services when necessary.
• Service Provision: District 287 offers free interpretation services for spoken language and ASL. These services are available both onsite and virtually (via phone or video), and are provided for a wide range of educational and support activities.
• Urgent or Unplanned Services: The plan includes guidelines for on-demand services, offering immediate spoken language and ASL interpretation as needed, so communication continues smoothly even in urgent situations.
• Prohibited Practices: To uphold the highest standards of service and privacy, students, staff, or children under 18 are prohibited from acting as interpreters unless they have been trained by District 287 or the Minnesota Department of Education. Additionally, staff should not use machine translation, artificial intelligence tools, or unqualified personnel to translate or interpret.  However, AI-powered translations integrated in approved district communication tools (TalkingPoints) may be used.
• Interpreter Best Practices: The plan includes guidance for working effectively with interpreters, including pre-meeting preparation, clear communication guidelines, and maintaining cultural sensitivity during interactions. Specific advice for interpreting during due process meetings, such as IEPs, is also provided to ensure accurate and respectful communication.

Bilingual Staff are fluent in multiple languages but may not be trained interpreters. They can assist with simple tasks (helping with forms/relaying basic messages) but should not interpret or be pulled from primary duties.

English Language Development (ELD) is a program in District 287 that provides academic English language support to multilingual learners.

Interpretation is rendering a spoken or signed communication from one language into another.

Language Access Plan is a written document that describes how our district will provide services, processes and procedures to render effective language assistance to students and families who prefer to communicate in a language other than English.

Language Services refer to various services and resources facilitating communication between speakers who communicate in a language other than English, in a timely and meaningful way.

Multilingual Learner (MLL) is any language learner who regularly interacts in languages in addition to English. These students may also be English Learners.

Preferred Language is the language in which parents or guardians request services, resources, and communications from schools and the district.

Qualified Interpreters are trained professionals who follow the National Code of Ethics and Standards to facilitate communication between individuals who do not share a common language.

Translation is converting written text from one language into written text in another, maintaining the original material's intended meaning. For languages that rely on an oral tradition (i.e., Somali), an oral interpretation may be used in place of written translation.

Vital Documents refer to materials essential to a family’s/caregiver’s ability to access District 287 services. 

Parents/Guardians: Preferred Language

During enrollment, parents and guardians specify their preferred language, which is recorded in their profile within the district’s student information system. This enables schools to identify families who need language assistance and provide appropriate language services. Families can update their preferred language at any time by contacting their school.

Students: Multilingual Learner (MLL) Identification

All families complete the Minnesota Language Survey during enrollment, which identifies a student's language experiences through parent or guardian responses. If the survey indicates a potential Multilingual Learner, District 287 obtains evidence of recent qualifying scores or administers a state-approved language proficiency assessment to determine whether English language development services are needed and identify the student with MLL status. Families are notified in the required timeline if their child qualifies for ELD services using the District’s Parent Notification Form. The notification includes the amount of time and type of ELD service the child receives and shares the right to refuse service. Detailed information about ELD services in District 287 can be found in our Language Instruction Education Program. 

Notice of Language Services

District 287 is proud to provide language services. Families are informed of language services through school newsletters, printed flyer, and school/district handbooks, website, and e-newsletters. Examples include the following:

• Point to your language signs - The top three languages in our district are represented. Posters at each school’s front desk also allow individuals to indicate their language, enabling staff to arrange appropriate language services.
• English Language Development Program Webpage: Find information about Multilingual Learning identification, entrance and exit procedures, and other frequently asked questions.
• Cultural Family Advocates: Learn how Cultural Family Advocates support families with diverse needs.

Interpretation from qualified interpreters is available for communications related to academic outcomes, progress, determinations, and placement of students in specialized programs and services, as well as conferences, enrollment, informational meetings, and more.

District 287 offers three options for interpretation: Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI), scheduled or on-demand video remote interpreting (VRI), and in-person interpreting (spoken and/or ASL).

Staff Access to Interpretation Services

Staff Website includes:

• Step-by-step instructions for booking/using interpretation services
• A list of qualified freelance interpreters and approved local interpreting companies

Family/Caregiver Access to Interpretation Services

Families/caregivers may request interpretation services either in-person or through their principal, assistant principal, teacher or case manager.

Important Guidance

Reliance on untrained students, siblings, friends, or staff to interpret is not acceptable. Students and untrained adults should not act as intermediaries in parent/guardian communication, as it may lead to misunderstandings.

It is not recommended to use on-demand phone or video interpretation services for Individualized Education Program (IEP) or student behavior meetings. To ensure accuracy and clarity, in-person interpreters or scheduled video calls with interpreters from our approved interpretation providers should be used.

Translation services are available for requested documents in most languages. District 287 also proactively translates many vital documents into Spanish, Somali and Hmong, including the student handbook.

Family/Caregiver Access to Translation Services

• Families/caregivers may request translation services by contacting their student’s school or info@district287.org.

Website translation

Families/Caregivers can view the district website in their preferred language by selecting the "select language" option on the home page.

Digital communication translation

District 287 uses email and texting services that:

• Send information in family’s/caregivers’ preferred languages (via email and text).

• Allow families/caregivers to choose their preferred language for viewing communications.
• Enables staff to send and receive text messages in the family’s/caregiver’s preferred language.

Staff Access to Translation Services

The staff website includes the following:

• A platform that provides staff with hundreds of legally reviewed, federally compliant, and translated family/caregiver engagement communication requirements available in multiple languages
• A library of District 287 specific translated forms and documents
• Step-by-step instructions for requesting translation services

Important Guidance

• Reliance on unapproved automated translation tools (such as Google Translate) is prohibited. 
• District 287 will include a disclaimer on messages when translation is not possible due to time constraints.
• Please email info@district287.org or call 763.559.3535 regarding translation requests for districtwide communications.

District 287 staff are responsible for meaningful and timely access to information in individuals' preferred languages. This includes principals, assistant principals, teachers, office staff, counselors, family engagement staff, school nurses, district staff, and all other personnel. 

Professional Development 

• In-person workshops
• Step-by-step guides
• New staff onboarding

Support for Families/Caregivers and Students

Multilingual Program Coordinator

Contact Ann Peruzzi at anndick@district287.org for more information. 

• Implement Language Instructional Education Program (LIEP)
• Manage processes for Multilingual Learner Program entrance and exit, testing and progress monitoring
• Manage Bilingual Seals process
• Provide training to teachers and staff in best practices for teaching Multilingual Learners identified as English Learners

District 287 employs a Family and Community Engagement Specialist to support our diverse community, helping families feel included and empowered to engage in their student’s education. Please contact Brenna MacDonald, Senior Manager of School and Community Outreach, for more information: blmacdonald@district287.org.

Their work includes the following:

• Facilitating Communication: Acting as a vital link between families and school staff, FACEs ensure important information is shared effectively in the family's/caregiver’s preferred language.
• Supporting Multilingual Families: FACES partner with schools to support the needs of multilingual families. FACEs foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all families feel supported and connected.
• Promoting Cultural Understanding: By educating school staff about the cultural backgrounds and unique experiences of multilingual families, Full Service Community Schools help create a more inclusive and culturally responsive school community.

District 287 actively shares the Language Access Plan to ensure families/caregivers and staff are aware and have the training and resources to use it effectively.

• Staff: All staff receive training through professional development sessions and a detailed step-by-step guide.
• Families/Caregivers: Language services are offered to families who indicate a preferred language other than English. Information about Language Services is shared with all families through back to school information, school newsletters, emails, the District 287 website, and in the student handbook. 
• Public: The Language Access Plan is available on the District 287 website. 

Language Access Review

District 287 regularly assesses and reviews the Language Access Plan to continually address the needs of our diverse community. We gather feedback from families and staff via surveys, focus groups, and meetings, which offer valuable insights to improve the plan. The plan will be evaluated and updated by the District 287 School Board every two years.

We welcome your input on our language access services and are dedicated to delivering high-quality support. If you have any feedback, suggestions for improvement, or face challenges accessing services, please reach out to us via email at info@district287.org or by mail at District 287 District Office, 1820 Xenium LN N Plymouth, MN 55441.