Translation Services Through Your Child’s School District
- bralialewis
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
Translation Services Through Your Child’s School District
A guide for families of color advocating for clear communication
Language should never be a barrier to understanding your child’s education. Families of color often speak multiple languages at home, and schools are required to ensure parents can fully participate in decisions about their child’s learning.
If English is not your preferred language, you have the right to request translation or interpretation services from your school district—at no cost to you.
These services help families stay informed, ask questions, and advocate confidently for their children.
What Translation Services Include
School districts commonly provide:
• Interpreters for meetings (IEP meetings, conferences, discipline meetings)• Translated documents (report cards, letters, school forms)• Phone interpretation during conversations with staff• Interpretation at school events and presentations
These services are provided free of charge to families who need language assistance.
How to Request Translation Services
Denver Public Schools (DPS)
Denver Public Schools provides interpretation and translation in more than 160 languages, including American Sign Language.
Steps to request services
Contact your child’s school office. The main office can arrange an interpreter for meetings.
Tell your child’s teacher or school staff you need an interpreter. Staff can submit a request through the district.
Use the DPS Family and Community Helpline if you need help navigating services.
Request services for important meetings, including:
Parent-teacher conferences
Special education meetings
Discipline meetings
School planning meetings
District contact: Denver Public Schools📞 720-423-3200
DPS states that every family has the right to free translation and interpretation services so they can fully participate in their child’s education.
Aurora Public Schools (APS)
Aurora Public Schools provides interpretation and translation through its Central Language Services Office, which helps schools communicate with multilingual families.
Steps to request services
Tell your child’s teacher or school office that you need language support.
Request an interpreter for meetings or school events.
Ask for translated documents if letters or school forms are difficult to understand.
Contact the district language office if you need help accessing services.
Aurora Public Schools Language Services📞 303-365-7805
Services are available for:
Parent-teacher conferences
IEP and evaluation meetings
Enrollment paperwork
Important school notices
Cherry Creek School District (CCSD)
Cherry Creek School District provides interpretation and translation services for parents and guardians in languages other than English.
Steps to request services
Contact your child’s school office or teacher.They can request an interpreter for meetings.
Ask for translated documents such as forms, letters, and reports.
Request an interpreter ahead of meetings, including:
Parent conferences
IEP meetings
Discipline meetings
Enrollment discussions
Call the district Language Supports and Services office if you need assistance.
Cherry Creek School District Language Services📞 720-554-5046
The district provides language assistance to ensure families can receive important information about their child’s education and fully participate in school decisions.
Simple Script Parents Can Use
If you are unsure how to ask for language support, you can say:
“I would like an interpreter for this meeting so I can fully understand and participate in the conversation about my child.”
Schools should never require parents to bring their own interpreter or ask children to translate important information.
Encouragement for Families
Families of color bring powerful cultural and linguistic strengths to their children’s education. Schools should honor that by ensuring every parent understands what is happening in their child’s learning journey.
When families understand the conversation, they can:
Ask better questions
Understand school decisions
Advocate confidently for their children
Your language is part of your child’s identity—and your voice deserves to be heard.
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