Announcements!!

Announcements:

OFFICE OF LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES (OLAS)

What We Do

  • The mission of the Office of Language Access Services (OLAS), formerly the Translation & Interpretation Unit, is to ensure families have meaningful access to all aspects, programs, opportunities, and services pertaining to their children’s education by providing a multitude of language services via internal and external resources to safeguard communications.

    The Office of Language Access Services manages language access for the District. A large portion of this work entails coordinating translation and interpretation services to facilitate communication with parents/guardians whose primary language is not English. Please read our BPS memorandum, “BPS Office of Family & Community Advancements Translation & Interpretation Services Protocol,” for additional information. We currently translate into the 9 major languages of the District (other languages available upon request):

    Arabic | Cape Verdian Creole | Chinese | French | Haitian Creole | Portuguese | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

  • REQUESTING SERVICES

    Parents/Guardians: If you need translation and interpretation services, contact the main office of your child/children(s) school. If your preferred language of communication is other than English, the District/School must provide you with “Essential Information” in the language you specify. Page three of the BPS memorandum provides examples of “Essential Information” requiring translation & interpretation. In addition, please review the DOJ Fact Sheet that clarifies your language access rights.

    Boston Public School Employees: Please request translation and interpretation services through our Veoci Request portal. Each school and office has its assigned set of requesters: the Principal/Headmaster, his/her designee (optional, must notify T&I Unit via email), the COSE, and the COSE’s secretary. Note that any language access work performed outside of the District’s established T&I protocol will be at the requesting party’s expense.

     

    Click on the service below to learn more! 

    LINK FOR TRANSLATIONS     LINK FOR INTERPRETATIONS           LINK FOR TELEPHONIC (LIONBRIDGE)          LINK TO TALKINGPOINTS

     

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Combined
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    Translation and Interpretation Toolkit for Staff:

     

    The OLAS Toolkit for BPS Staff is a comprehensive resource that helps educators and administrators provide BPS parents with equitable access to information and resources in a language they can understand. It offers information on available language access services, language access policies, relevant laws and regulations, compliance requirements, and guidelines for developing and implementing language access plans within schools. Click here to access the Toolkit.

     
     
     
     
    Language Access Tool-Kit for Families:

    The OLAS family toolkit provides information about the resources and services available to the Boston Public School District to support limited and non-English-speaking families. It also aims to raise awareness among families about the available language assistance services and resources, as well as the District's obligation to provide such services. 

    ArabicKabuverdianuChineseEnglishFrenchHaitian CreolePortugueseSomaliSpanish, Vietnamese

     

     

     

     

     

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    Multilingual Parent Site

    The BPS Language Access Services website for parents is a website that provides multilingual information about language access services for parents. BPS believes that engaging with families is very important for students' educational success. The Office of Language Access Services (OLAS) is committed to providing access to district programs, services, and activities to parents and guardians who need communication in languages other than English. This commitment ensures that language assistance is available to families for free. The Parent Site provides a toolkit with resources and information for limited and non-English-speaking families to increase awareness about language assistance services and the District's obligation to offer them. Additionally, the site encourages feedback from parents and guardians to improve language access services continuously. 

    العربيةCabo-Verdiano中文EnglishFrançais,  Kreyòl AyisyenPortugueseSoomaaliEspañolTiếng Việt

     

     

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