Central Kitsap School District

• Plan de Acceso Lingüístico de Central Kitsap (pdf - Español)
• Plano sa Pag-akses ng Wika ng Central Kitsap (pdf - Tagalog)
• Kế hoạch Hỗ trợ Ngôn ngữ của Học Khu Central Kitsap (pdf - Tiếng Việt)

Purpose
The Central Kitsap School District Language Access Plan aligns with our district’s strategic plan and our Strategic Goal: Communication & Transparency. 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 the 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, including American Sign Language.

Language Services4
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 Central Kitsap School District (CKSD) identifies families who require interpretation and translation services is through the Home Language Survey, which is part of the enrollment process.

Language Link Interpretation Services
Language Link interpreting services are provided via speaker phone or as a third-party phone call. This is an on-demand service available to all staff

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 Link.
• Document Translation: Vital documents will be translated. Additional documents will be translated upon request, subject to prior notice.
• Technology-Assisted Translation: A translation device is available at every school's main office for basic translation needs. Please note that technology-assisted translation has limitations and may not be accurate for all content.
• Parent Square: Parent Square allows for two-way communication between teachers and parents/guardians in several languages. Parent Square sends messages to parents in their home language, as stated in the first question of the home language survey. Parents/guardians can also set their preferred language on the login page of Parent Square or the mobile app.

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.
• 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. The school staff will connect an interpreter over the phone or use the translation device found in every school's main office.
• Document Translation: If parents/guardians need a school document translated, they can request this service from their school.
• ParentSquare: Parents/guardians are encouraged to download the ParentSquare 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 Liaison at AnneDe@ckschools.org.

Staff members can access the following language access services provided by the district:

• Sign Language Interpretation
• Sign language interpretation services are available through district-contracted vendors and some in-house ASL interpreters, both in-person and virtually (via video). For ASL requests, fill out the interpreter request form.
• Interpretation
  The district has a contracted vendor for trained interpreters. We also have an internal pool of qualified and trained interpreters. Staff can request an interpreter through our interpreter request form. If an interpreter is not available through our request system, staff should access Language Link. Visit the Language Link User Guide for step-by-step instructions about these services. Staff can also use a translation device for basic communication needs.
• Translation
  Staff can request a document translation through our translation request form.

For questions about requesting an interpreter or a document translation, staff can contact the Language Access Liaison at AnneDe@ckschools.org.

Essential information, notifications, and announcements will be provided in multiple languages through various channels:

• Language Posters: Language posters are displayed at every school’s main office. These posters allow visitors with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) to point to their language, ensuring they can be promptly directed to the appropriate language services.
• Websites: Information will be available on the district website in multiple languages.
• ParentSquare: The district will use ParentSquare to communicate with families in their preferred languages. All critical emergency information will be shared through ParentSquare and available in multiple languages.

All Central Kitsap School District employees are essential in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for our diverse community. To ensure effective communication with all families, we are committed to providing comprehensive training and professional development in language access. Mandatory training includes all certificated building staff and all school office clerical staff.

To maintain the highest quality of language services, the district will:

• Contract with vendors who can demonstrate that their translators and interpreters meet rigorous industry standards.
• Provide ongoing training and professional development for in-house translators and interpreters to enhance their skills and knowledge.

The Language Access Plan will be evaluated annually through:

• Family Surveys: Annual family climate survey.
• Data Analysis: Analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement.

All staff members have a role in supporting families with limited English proficiency, including but not limited to principals, assistant principals, teachers, office staff, counselors, student support specialists, school nurses, bus drivers, district staff, and other personnel. Effectively communicating with family members who have language access barriers plays a vital role in reducing educational opportunity gaps.

Anne DeHan, Language Access Liaison
annede@ckschools.org
360-662-1040 Ext. 1724

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 with whom you are comfortable. 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 Central Kitsap School District’s Civil Rights Compliance officer, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Jeanne Beckon, at 360-662-1680 or jeanneb@ckschools.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 in resolving 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