Peel School Board Website Translates 24 Languages
Posted September 7, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A parent’s involvement in their child’s school life is often a crucial factor in their ultimate success, or failure. But for parents who don’t speak fluent English, participating in their child’s academic career can be problematic. With those struggles in mind, the Peel Region School Board has developed a website aimed at bridging the communication gap.
The site translates crucial academic information into as many as 24 different languages. It’s a well-needed service in Peel Region, which is the fastest growing multicultural Board in the country.
At schools like Roberta Bondar P.S. in Brampton, up to 90 percent of students come from families that don’t speak English as their first language.
For them, the website allows them to better relate to their children and fills them in on every aspect of their child’s life at school.
“There are a couple of people I know and they rely on their children to translate for them and the families don’t really understand stuff,” admits 12-year-old Jasmine. “It will help the parents to be able to help the child find the right path and reach success.”
Joan Hamilton is the principal at Roberta Bondar P.S., and she believes the website will only serve to strengthen students.
“The research is absolutely clear that parent involvement in school means child success, makes or breaks it for many kids,” she said.
To learn more about the site, visit www.peelschools.org
