Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) From Clients

Learning English

Will my child(ren) be taught English?

Yes. Your child will be taught English at school. United States law states that every child who is learning English will receive instruction in English provided by a teacher with special training for teaching English to English Language Learners. You may hear these classes referred to as ELL (English Language Learner) or ELD (English Language Development classes).

Will my child be put in a separate class because they don’t speak English?

No. According to federal law, schools are not allowed to segregate English Language Learners from students who already speak English. Your child will receive instruction in English from a specially qualified teacher, but will also spend most of their time in the classroom with their peers receiving the same instruction as the other students with supports to help them understand.

How long will it take for my child to learn English? According to the most recent research, it takes an average of 3-7 years for a child to reach total English fluency. Children can often reach an intermediate level of fluency in about 1-2 years. Learning more complex vocabulary related to specific subjects in school can take much longer. The school will continue to provide instruction in English at your child’s level until they are considered fluent. Children are considered completely fluent when they can speak, listen, read, and write in English at the same level as their peers who are native English speakers. After children are considered fluent, the school will continue to monitor their progress to make sure they are receiving all the supports they need.

Is speaking a different language at home preventing my child from learning English?

No. Bilingualism DOES NOT cause language delays. In fact, it has been shown to improve the child’s ability to learn new words and solve problems.

If you have more questions about your child’s rights as an English Language Learner, this is a great resource. It is currently only available in English: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-el-students-201501.pdf

Interpretation

Must my child’s school provide information to me in a language I can understand?

Yes. Schools must communicate information to limited English proficient parents in a language they can understand about any program, service, or activity that is called to the attention of parents who are proficient in English. The school must provide interpretation for parent teacher conferences, grade cards, discipline issues, registration and enrollment, and many other types of information.

Must a school provide language assistance if I request it even if my child is proficient in English and I am somewhat proficient in English?

Yes. Schools must respond to a parent’s request for language assistance and remember that parents can be limited English proficient even if their child is proficient in English.

May my child’s school ask my child, other students, or untrained school staff to translate or interpret for me?

No. Schools must provide translation or interpretation from appropriate and competent individuals and may not rely on or ask students, siblings, friends, or untrained school staff to translate or interpret for parents.

I need to contact the school. How do I request interpretation?

• When calling a school, if you cannot communicate your question or concern in English, simply state your name or your child’s name, say “Need interpretation,” and state the language you need interpretation support for. The school should be able to get a hold of an interpreter that speaks your language and can call you back. Often times schools are able to communicate with your family via text as well. You can text simple messages like, “Need help. Interpretation please.” You can even just text your name and phone number, and the school should understand that they need to give you a call.

• District interpreters and cultural liaisons can be very helpful with communicating messages if you need support with communicating anything to a school or teacher. However, they are not always available and the district may not have a liaison that speaks your language, depending on what your native language is. If you are familiar with Google Translate or Tarjimly, those services can help you translate a text or email, if you choose to communicate with a school or teacher that way.

A good resource that provided many of these answers and has more FAQs for Limited English Proficiency parents can be found below. This resource is currently only available in English. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-lep-parents-201501.pdf

Attendance

When does school start? When does it end? What days are there school? When is there not school?

Every school district has a calendar that each school and teacher follow. The calendar can be seen on a school or district’s website, or you can obtain a paper copy from the school if you do an in-person visit. The calendar will show what days there are school (typically between August and the end of May or early June), as well as what days are off from school due to holidays, teacher work days, or summer vacation. Sometimes these calendars will list the time that school starts and ends for a normal day, as well as if there are any special late-start or early-release days. If this information cannot be found on a calendar, just ask your child’s teacher or school or your enrollment worker from the International Rescue Committee. They will tell you this information or direct you where to find it. If you are ever unsure of when there is a holiday or day off from school, just contact your child’s school or teacher.

How do I know if school is closed due to bad weather? When is school delayed or ends early due to bad weather?

Colorado typically has some days each school year where school is closed, delayed (starts later than normal), or ends early due to poor weather (heavy snow, ice, dangerously low temperatures). Schools typically send out mass emails, texts, or calls to communicate these closures or delays. Check your phone or email if you think there may be a closure or delay. Also, you can go to a school’s website to see if they have announced a closure or delay. Sometimes districts make an early decision, the day or night before, to close or delay school. Sometimes the decision is the morning of if the weather suddenly is bad enough to cancel or delay school. 9News and other television news networks also list school closures or delays on TV and their websites if you check to see if your child’s school or district are listed.

How often does my child need to attend school?

• In general, schools and teachers expect students to attend everyday (Monday-Friday), when school is in session and there is no holiday or break. Exceptions include days that your child may be too sick to attend school or if there is a family emergency, seeing that the absence is communicated appropriately with the school. If your child has a fever, something that may be contagious, or you think they need to see a doctor: it is best to keep that at home and communicate the day’s absence to your child’s school first thing in the morning when the school opens or begins. You can also call your school and ask for the school nurse if you need an opinion on whether they may or may not attend.

• If your child is going to be late to school for any reason (missing their school bus, transportation issues, etc.), please contact your child’s school and make arrangements for them to attend if possible. Children are generally allowed up to 10 excused absences from school a year unless your child has a more severe illness or there are special circumstances. This attendance expectation (rule) is important, because the state may intervene with your family and there may be legal consequences if your child misses more than the allotted number of excused or unexcused absences and is considered truant. Absences are considered unexcused if they are not communicated appropriately to the school OR if they are not considered a valid reason for missing school. There are approximately 160-180 days of school during the year. For specific state regulations regarding attendance, please visit and refer to this link: https://www.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool_attendancelaw

• The more your child attends school, the more they will learn, develop socially, and progress in general. The more the better!

Who should I call if I need to communicate something to my child’s (children’s) school or teacher?

• For school absences, child concerns, or questions regarding school and your child’s education, it is best to contact the main office at your child’s school. Sometimes school districts have cultural liaisons who can help with interpretation and can relay a message between schools and parents (ask your child’s school or enrollment worker from the International Rescue Committee if there is such a contact with your child’s school district that speaks the same language as you). Every school has a main office number that can be found on their school website or through a google search. You can also obtain this number from school personnel during a school visit or from the International Rescue Committee enrollment worker that assists you.

• When calling a school, if you cannot communicate your question or concern in English, simply state your name or your child’s name, say “Need interpretation,” and state the language you need interpretation support for. The school should be able to get a hold of an interpreter that speaks your language and can call you back. Often times schools are able to communicate with your family via text as well. You can text simple messages like, “Need help. Interpretation please,” or text your child’s name and “absent” or “sick” if they will not be at school. You can even just text your name and phone number, and the school should understand that they need to give you a call.

• District interpreters and cultural liaisons can be very helpful with communicating messages if you need support with communicating anything to a school or teacher. However, they are not always available and the district may not have a liaison that speaks your language, depending on what your native language is. If you are familiar with Google Translate or Tarjimly, those services can help you translate a text or email, if you choose to communicate with a school or teacher that way.

Does my child need to wear a school uniform? What is the dress code?

Most public schools do not require a school uniform. If your child’s school does, they will let you know and will help provide the necessary clothing for your child to attend. All schools and districts have dress codes. Casual clothing is typically fine for public school. When the weather is warm or mild, t-shirts, pants or short pants, dresses, long skirts, and any extra layers of clothing if one chooses are fine to wear. During cold days or season, jeans, long pants, sweatpants, long-sleeve shirts, coats, and (or) warm jackets are acceptable. Any clothes that are dirty, have foul language, or have revealing holes in them should be left at home. Things like hats may or may not be allowed at your child’s specific school or class. If you have questions or concerns about specific clothing items, please contact your child’s school or teacher.

Transportation

Are my children able to get free transportation to school?

Depending on what school district your school is in, your family’s proximity to their neighborhood school, and what level they are (elementary, middle, or high school), your child (children) may be eligible for free bus transportation. Generally, school districts have specific school buses that take students directly from a bus stop to the school for the elementary and middle school levels. Often times high school students may not have specific school buses that will take them to school, but there is public transportation (RTD) that they may be able to take to school. Although some school districts may differ, a general rule is that elementary students that live more than 1 mile away, middle school students that live more than 2 miles away, and high school students that live more than 2.5-3 miles away from their neighborhood school are eligible for free bussing. Elementary-aged children may have to walk to school if they live within 1 mile of their neighborhood school, middle school students may have to walk if they live within 2 miles of their neighborhood school, and high school students may not be eligible for RTD passes or other transportation if they live within 2.5-3 miles of the school. Ask your school or the International Rescue Committee enrollment worker about your situation if you need transportation support, because schools and districts differ. Some districts provide convenient bussing for newcomer students regardless of their proximity to the school.

If my child is not eligible for free bus transportation, what are my options?

• Walking: If your family lives within a mile of your child’s school and you do not have personal transportation for them, they may have to walk. It is recommended to walk your children to and from school, depending on their age.

• Bicycle: You can request to be put on the bicycle donation list with the International Rescue Committee if you have older children (middle or high school level), that you think could ride a bike to school. Sometimes it takes several weeks and (or) months for the International Rescue Committee to get a bicycle to families that need them. Bicycles can be helpful for much of the year, but ice and heavy snow can make biking to school difficult during winter months, so plan accordingly and for other arrangements during these times.

• Other Services: You can ask your child’s school or enrollment worker if other ways exist for your child to get to school, if you do not have the means. Some district transportation departments may have taxi or car services that can take newcomer students to school. If you know of or get to know families that have children that attend the same school as your children, you can get to know them and see if they can travel to school together. You can even ask your child’s school if they know of other children at the school or in your child’s grade that live in your area, to see if they can help coordinate a way for your family to connect with another about carpooling.

Food

Can my child get free meals at school? If so, how?

If your family has TANF or SNAP benefits they will qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch. Public schools provide free breakfast in the morning and lunch mid-day to children that qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch (meal) benefits. You can complete a paper or online application for this, or you can also ask an the International Rescue Committee enrollment worker to help with this. It usually takes about a week for an application to be processed and approved. You should receive an email when the application is approved at the email address that was listed on the application submitted for your family (an enrollment worker from the International Rescue Committee can assist you with checking email as well). When your child is approved for free meal benefits at school, they can use their student ID to get free meals in the cafeteria (teachers can help support children with this when they are learning how to do this process).

What is served for meals at my child’s school?

School districts may have a menu posted on their website. You can also ask your child’s school for the menu calendar (they may also send this home with your family monthly in a folder). This menu will show what is served for breakfast and lunch each day of the month.

If my child can only eat halal food, can they eat the school meal?

Yes. If your child can only eat meals or foods that are considered halal, tell your child’s school or teacher. Schools have food or meal alternatives that your child can have if there is a non-halal option being served for breakfast and lunch on a particular day. Your school’s cafeteria staff or teacher should help monitor what your child is eating if they have any restrictions. If you see a particular day where there may not be a great meal alternative or you do not want your child having what’s on the menu, you are welcome to send them with a meal from home that day.

My child has a food allergy, are they safe to eat school meals and in the cafeteria?

Yes. When enrolling a child in school, you or your enrollment worker from the International Rescue Committee must list any and all allergies (food and otherwise), your child may have. Your school’s nurse, the teacher, and cafeteria staff will be aware of your child’s food allergy and will have an emergency plan in place in case your child accidentally ingests or is exposed to something that they are allergic to.