Interpretation & Translation

Mandan Public Schools uses in-person interpreters whenever possible.  When it’s not possible to get an in-person interpreter, we use the Voiance Translation Service.  We will either meet with you in person, using the phone/video service for interpretation, or we will call you with an interpreter on the line.  Our interpreters keep all information confidential.

If you would like to request a phone call or meeting with an interpreter available, just email your child’s classroom or EL teacher in your home language.  We will email you back with a suggested time for the phone call or meeting.

The following link works very well when translating documents:

https://www.onlinedoctranslator.com/en/translationform- Scroll down to the middle of the page and upload your document.  Choose the language to translate to and click ‘translate.’  Finally, click ‘download your translated document.’

Canvas

Resource videos for using Canvas.

Navigating the Canvas app https://youtu.be/7L28EJkbPv

Viewing Teacher Feedback https://youtu.be/7riLwaHn-d4

Submitting to Canvas with Apple https://youtu.be/9NrsjH3ZUk

Annotating and Submitting an Assignment https://youtu.be/33QPMVtxxH

Logitech Crayon Tutorial https://youtu.be/t557c22VwR

Recording Video using Studio on the ipad https://youtu.be/_27tpgEUOt

Screen Recording on an ipad https://youtu.be/ajeJEPZcgR

Google Suite for Mandan Students https://youtu.be/NOw2bBA4

Family Liaison
Reading Resources

Reading resources for your child:

  • Elementary EL students have the Raz Kids app on their ipads.  They can read books and take quizzes on this app.  They can also listen to the book being read to them and record themselves reading. Students can earn stars, which they use to ‘buy’ things for their avatars.  They can also reach their account through the Raz Kids website on the internet using this link: https://www.raz-kids.com/.  Click on ‘kids login.’  If your child doesn’t remember their username and password, please contact your EL teacher.
  • Unite for Literacy is a free website that has books in both English and Spanish for students to listen to and read. https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/**** . At the top of the page, click on the pencil icon that says ‘English’ to change the language to Spanish. Click on the ‘Categories’ icon to choose from several different categories of books.
FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why was my child screened for the English Learner (EL) Program?

All new students complete a Home Language Survey (HLS). If the HLS indicates that another language is spoken in the home and may have had a significant influence on the student, he or she will be screened for English language proficiency.

How did my child qualify for the EL Program?

Students who score at an English proficiency level below 4.5 or who score below a 3.5 on any of the domains (speaking, listening, reading or writing), qualify for the English Learner program**.**

What services are available through the EL Program?

At the secondary level, daily English as a Second Language classes are offered as well as push-in help in some core content classes.  At the elementary level, students can receive pull-out or push-in English language development.  Some high-level students do not receive direct services, but EL teachers collaborate with their classroom teachers and monitor their progress.

Does my child have to receive EL Program services?

Parents can opt out of EL services by filling out and signing a Refusal of Services form.

Does my child have to take the yearly English Proficiency test?

All students, regardless of whether or not they receive direct services from the EL program, are required to take the ACCESS test each year until they reach the exit level criteria.  This test is required by the state in order to monitor the progress of English learners.

How long will my child be in the program?

The length of time a student is in the EL Program varies, because each child’s progress depends on a number of variables.  It generally takes one to three years to learn social language but can take up to ten years to learn academic language.  Each child is given an expected timeline for exiting by the state based on the first ACCESS score they receive.  If a child’s first score is a level one, the state expects that they will learn enough academic English to exit in six years.  If a child’s first score is a level two, the expected time to exit is five years, and so on.  This doesn’t mean that a child will stop receiving services if they don’t exit according to this timeline; the EL program continues to serve students as long as they qualify.

How will my child exit the program?

When a student reaches an overall level of 4.5, with all domain scores at 3.5 or higher, he or she will exit.  If a student takes the Alternate ACCESS, he or she must have scored at a level of P2 for two consecutive years. There are a few other ways a student can exit, for example using a combination of a proficient score on the NDSA English Language Arts test and the ACCESS.  Please contact the EL Program if you’d like more information on exiting.

What happens after my child exits the EL Program?

Once exited from the EL program, a student’s progress is monitored for a period of two years.  During the two years, the EL team reviews grades, test scores, academic assessments, and attendance twice a year.  Classroom teachers are also asked for their input.  At the end of the monitoring period, successful students will be reclassified as Fully English Proficient. If a student is struggling in the regular classroom, however, the team will either continue to monitor the student or place him or her back into the EL program.