Translation App Engages Families in Student Learning |
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Regular communication between teachers and families is vital to student success, but even during ideal circumstances, it has its challenges. Throw in a pandemic, periods of hybrid and online learning, and multiple languages spoken by families within the district, and the challenges of effective communication are compounded.
But a new translation platform used by Northfield Public Schools is helping remove obstacles to family engagement. Through TalkingPoints, teachers and staff can send text messages in English, and have those messages translated into a family’s home language, using artificial intelligence and human translators. Parents can respond in their language of choice, and the return messages are translated into English.
“It’s an incredible equalizer,” said Carrie Duba, one of the district’s PreK-12 systems and instructional coaches.
With the support of Superintendent Matt Hillmann and Director of Instructional Services Hope Langston, Duba launched a pilot of the two-way communication program last spring with elementary, middle school and high school students enrolled in Portage — the district’s online-only learning program — and with all the students in the elementary buildings. The pilot continued through July 31 with students in Targeted Services, and on Aug. 31, the program was launched districtwide for all students in early childhood through grade 12.
Read more about the translation app here.
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Youth on Boards Featured in Star Tribune |
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Northfield’s Youth on Boards initiative was profiled in the Sunday, Nov. 21, issue of the Star Tribune — if you missed it, you can read the column here.
Northfield Promise is grateful to the nearly 90 high school students who share their time, talents, and voices at these leadership tables. Staff also extend thanks to the City of Northfield, Northfield Public Schools, all the local nonprofits and organizations that are partners in this work, and to Youthprise for supporting these youth power-sharing efforts in Northfield and across the state.
As Superintendent Matt Hillmann said in the column, “When you believe in kids, you help them develop their skills, and you give them the practice — they can do pretty amazing things.”
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Take the Race and Equity Survey in Northfield |
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The Northfield Racial & Ethnic Equity Collaborative (NREEC) is a Northfield Promise-supported group of local leaders working to address issues of race and equity in Northfield. The group would like to hear your views and experiences of the Northfield community. If you haven’t already, please take five minutes to fill out this short, anonymous survey:
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The NREEC began in February 2021 as a community-led effort around racial equity and inclusion. It strives to help build our shared cultural competence, understand our biases, and carry out the work of systems change to begin shifting policies, practices, resources, and power structures. Questions? Contact northfieldreec@gmail.com or click here.
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Northfield Promise Annual Report Available Online |
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The 2021 Northfield Promise Annual Report to the Community arrived in area mailboxes in mid-November. You can access the online version here, in English or Spanish. |
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Students & Staff Celebrate First-Generation Week |
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Danielle Crase (left), Marckileine Legros (right)
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As a child growing up in Florida, Marckileine Legros expected she would go to college one day. But her path to higher education wasn’t guaranteed. Her own determination, her family’s support, and the assistance of a program for college-bound students from disadvantaged backgrounds helped her navigate the many challenges of being the first person in her family to graduate from college.
“It meant everything to my family,” said Legros, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Haiti. “In addition to being a first-generation college student, I‘m also a first-generation immigrant. Being able to go to college meant the opportunity for my family to get a stronger base in this country.”
Legros graduated with two degrees — a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminology from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is in her second year as a counselor at Northfield High School and was one of the organizers of the school’s First-Generation Week, held Nov. 8-12.
Click here t o learn more about First-Generation Week.
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Like Northfield Promise on Facebook! |
Facebook can be a great way to spread the news of all that is going on with Northfield Promise. If you are on Facebook, please like us, comment and share! |
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Share the Northfield Promise e-news with your friends and colleagues! |
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Northfield Promise exists to ensure all children in Northfield reach their full potential.
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Northfield Promise has been recognized as being in the Proof Point Gateway of the national StriveTogether network. StriveTogether is a national movement with a clear purpose: help every child succeed in school and in life from cradle to career, regardless of race, zip code or circumstance. In partnership with nearly 70 communities across the country, StriveTogether provides resources, best practices and processes to give every child every chance for success. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network reaches 13.7 million students and has partners in 30 states and Washington, D.C.
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