Nilda Aponte saw a mother who “looked lost.” She realized that the mother couldn’t understand the English being spoken at a mandatory orientation session of her child’s school, Celentano Museum Academy.
“Thanks be to God I’m bilingual,” Aponte said. She translated the speeches at the meeting for the parent. Afterwards, Aponte spoke to the principal.
“I told the principal that many of the parents don’t understand English. That principal told me that I should just translate for her. I told her I would do it, even though it’s not my job.”
Aponte, an organizer of a public-school parents group called Teach Our Children, related this story Saturday — in Spanish — in the basement of St. Rose of Lima Church. It was one of many testimonials offered as Spanish-speaking parents gathered to demand that the Board of Education provide more translation services for the families of enrolled students. About 30 people attended the meeting.
The requests, read aloud by Xiomara Garcia (pictured), included that: All materials sent home, especially those that require a signature, be translated; mandatory meetings be translated into Spanish; the school system’s web page have optional Spanish translation; and translators be available in schools to help parents and teachers communicate with one another.
Most of the comments and questions were directed toward Carlos Torre (pictured), a member of the New Haven Board of Education. Torre said he hadn’t expected to speak at the meeting. He said he wasn’t able to speak on behalf of the eight-member board.
“I can give opinions, but I can’t give answers,” said Torre. “Personally, however, I feel that these requirements and issues are possible.”
This announcement appeared to be a surprise. Garcia, among others, said she wanted a more immediate response.
“Will the board have a response for us at the Oct. 14th meeting?” Garcia asked.
Torre (pictured) said that was not a feasible deadline.
“We need to acknowledge that things won’t necessarily be as easy as they appear,” Torre said. Changes, he said, will take not just money, but time.
The audience was invited to share testimonials. One parent spoke about having to spell English words out to a relative over the phone, just to understand a paper he was expected to sign.
Another parent described the difficulty she had working with the social workers at her child’s school assigned to help with her child’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Adeli DeArce has a multifaceted perspective. As a bilingual teacher at Davis Street, she helps her principal communicate with Spanish-speaking parents. On a personal level, she helps her Spanish-speaking sister communicate with administration at her niece’s school.
I see how hard it is for parents, DeArce said. “I see the parents with horrified looks. They don’t understand and they have a long list of problems.”
(Spanish dialogue from the meeting was translated by Hilda Santana.)
"Speak to Us is Spanish"? Really, Paul! Please.