Norfolk Public Schools has access to an interpretation and translation service called The Language Group (TLG), ensuring Limited English Proficient (LEP) families can communicate with staff about their student in a language they can understand. This service is provided free of charge to all LEP families and should be readily offered to both create a welcoming climate and ensure adherence to federal civil rights laws.

Please take a moment to review the following documents.

• TLG Over the Phone Interpretation (OPI) Instruction Sheet
• Interpretation Guidance
• Department of Justice Parent Fact Sheet
• Who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents (1).mp4
• Document Translation and On-Site Interpretation Requests
• Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Services  
• How to Work Effectively With an Interpreter
• Point to Your Language Poster

Who has access?

All NPS employees interacting with LEP families have access to interpretation and translation services.

• For phone calls: Access the account number and PIN code contained in the Over the Phone (OPI) Instruction Sheet.

• For virtual interpretation of 1 hour or greater:  Access the Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)  and follow the steps to connect from your mobile or desktop device. You may also request assistance through the Document Translation and On-Site/Virtual Interpretation Requests

Please share these credentials as needed with staff. If you have any questions, please contact Darlene J Waters djwaters@nps.k12.va.us or Zach Neumann

When should interpretation services be used?

Interpreting services are the verbal form of translation that is facilitated by a professional interpreter. Here are some examples. For meetings, conferences, family workshop nights of 4 hours or more, consider using the Document Translation and On-Site Interpretation Requests for on-site interpretation.

This list is not finite:

• Student Enrollment
• Clinical or school nurse consults
• Teacher conferences
• Phone calls to home
• Discipline, attendance, policy, IEP/504, or academic explanations  
• Facilitating communication at workshops and events presented in English

When should document translation services be used?

Document Translation services are professional services that translate written content from one language into another. Schools must communicate information to limited English proficient (LEP) families in a language they can understand about any program, service, or activity that is called to the attention of parents who are proficient in English.

This includes, but is not limited to, information related to the following:

How can I support our LEP families?

The ESL office is a robust advocate of family and community engagement! Onsite school location workshops, The English Learner Family Academy (ELFA), and our amazing ESL Family Engagement Specialists are just some of the ways we connect families to community and district partners.

• ESL Office Family Engagement Referral Form Please use this form to submit a request to the ESL Office for Family Engagement for the support of English Learner families. This will enable us to expedite help to EL families who may require special assistance.
• NPS Student Registration, including forms in Spanish  https://www.npsk12.com/Page/16147
• ESL Office Welcome! We're Glad You're Here! Bag  Please submit this form to assist us in providing newly arrived students with a new backpack of basic academic supplies, as well as and providing our office an opportunity to connect with and welcome the ESL student family!