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Translation & Interpretation

Translation & Interpretation Services

Interpretation and translation are available to all Newton Public School families.  We want all parents and legal guardians to benefit from meaningful access to all information, programs, opportunities and services pertaining to their children’s education regardless of their home language.  

Parents/Guardians: If you need translation and interpretation services, contact the main office of your child/children(s) school. Additionally, you may email the ELL office.  Please feel free to review the DOJ Fact Sheet  that clarifies your language access rights. (Translations of fact sheets are available at the US Department of Education website.)

Newton Public School Employees: Please find information on translation and interpretation services provided internally.

Translation and Interpretation Tools & Resources Used by the District

Newton Public Schools is deeply committed to ensuring that families have timely access to information about their child’s education in their preferred language. The district provides several methods for translation and interpretation services that work to support parental participation in education and help foster a welcoming family-school environment. There is a continual review of the tools used by the district to ensure quality and effective communication with families.

ParentSquare

Newton Public Schools uses ParentSquare as its primary communications platform. ParentSquare provides automatic translation in more than 100 languages, including the district’s priority languages, enhancing our ability to communicate quickly and equitably with families. While no auto-translation tool is perfect, ParentSquare uses an advanced version of Google Translate, and the district continues to seek improvements and best practices.

Contracted Vendors

Each year, Newton Public Schools executes contracts to support translation and interpretation services to provide interpretation for in-person and virtual meetings and events, phone conversations, IEP meetings, and other confidential or legally required meetings, as available.

Pocketalk to Engage with Families

Pocketalk allow staff to communicate instantly in more than 92 languages​, including Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Hebrew, and Portuguese.

Schools can use Pocketalk at various school events, including:

  • Back to School Days: to help families complete forms and understand important school information.
  • Info Sessions: to provide live translations during group presentations.
  • Open House & Meet the Teacher Nights: to allow teachers and staff to have quick, clear one-on-one conversations with families.
  • Family Engagement Events: to ensure families who attend in person can fully participate.

City of Newton Community Partners

Newton Public Schools collaborates with City of Newton departments and community partners to support outreach and engagement with diverse families, leveraging trusted relationships and cultural connections within the community.