One of a kind school resource for Spanish speakers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A new, one of a kind school resource is being made available this weekend, Nov. 9-10, to families whose first language is Spanish.
This new guide will help them understand school choice programs in private, public, and charter schools preschool - 12th grade.
These three groups teamed up to translate and generate the guide with information especially important for students like Susana Elizarraraz. Susana has unique insight as the bilingual parent of a special needs child and teacher for 6 years.
“As a parent coming with the perspective of the whirlwind that it was to find schooling for my kiddo, the fact that my voice is heard to say “hey we need to add a section where our rights are written out in a language that’s easily understood, not just language but eliminating that lingo that’s difficult to understand sometimes,” she said.
The guide took six months to translate.
Director of Digital Experiences at Revolución Educativa Kansas City (RevED KC) and Latinx Education Collaborative Ivan Ramirez was part of that team and said the guide empowers families.
“What we do is try to explain the different programs available, educational programs, art programs and more. From there, parents have the knowledge to make the best decisions for their children”.
Often times students have to be translators for their parents and share it can be tough navigating the educational jargon from Spanish to English.
New this year is a ‘Know your Rights’ section to help relieve that pressure from kids with their families. The section informs parents about available translation services at parent-teacher conferences and other meetings .
“Our schools are always looking at the social well-being of our students, but often times families don’t know or understand all of their rights in general let alone within the school system,” said Director of School Navigation, Show Me KC Schools, Danielle Dispenza. “It would be completely unreasonable to expect a student would know that their parents have rights”.
The guide will be available at the annual city school fair this Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Central Library Branch in downtown Kansas City. Parking is free.
For those who are unable to go in person, thousand of copies will be distributed at Kansas City Public School branches, Parks and Rec locations, as well as area grocery stores.
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