The service is meant to allow those from diverse cultures to benefit from the resources available through district websites.
The Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) has announced the addition of “Google Translate” to district and school websites at www.lrhsd.org.
“The timing of this feature could not be better,” said Justin Smith, district supervisor world languages. “As important events are happening soon across our district, such as Shawnee’s World Languages Symposium on March 24, Cherokee’s World Café on April 12, and each school’s World Languages Honor Society inductions throughout the spring.”
Superintendent Carol Birnbohm also praised the addition.
“Google Translate enhances district and school communication with families and the community, enabling parents/guardians and students from diverse cultures to benefit from the resources available through our websites,” Birnbohm said. “The LRHSD community is rich in linguistic diversity, with more than 36 different languages spoken in the homes of our students. By enabling translation into 103 languages, Google Translate is a step forward in strengthening outreach and access to information.”
According to the district, that step forward can be seen in how Google Translate is helping the Lenape District’s English Language Learner (ELL) students and their families.
The district also believes access to information could translate into higher student achievement and involvement.
ELL and English teacher Colette McGarrity echoed that sentiment.
“Google Translate enables a more cohesive partnership between our English Language Learners, their non-native English speaking parents and guardians, our schools, and our communities. Increased comprehension and accessibility to important information about school and class events, extracurricular opportunities, college fairs, testing, and tutoring should positively impact student involvement and achievement,” McGarrity said.
To use the Google Translate feature on the district’s websites, use the “Select Language” dropdown box at the top of the district and school pages that enables users to choose a language.
Within seconds after the language is selected, the website appears in translation. The district said the application value of this feature also extends into the classroom, as all six languages LRHSD students learn through world languages classes — French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian, and Spanish — are among the 103 languages included in Google Translate.
According to the district, a similar service is available through Genesis Parent Module, the LRHSD’s online portal that enables parents to learn about their students’ progress, through the “Student Grades” link on the district and school website homepages.
When logged into Parent Module, users can change the language setting of the account by using the “Select Language” dropdown box in the lower left-hand corner. The languages available in addition to English include the LRHSD’s four most common: Spanish, Chinese, Gujarati, and Korean.
Parents or guardians who wish to set up a Parent Module account should email the LRHSD Genesis Helpdesk at help@lrhsd.org.
The district encourages all parents to use Parent Module as a way of staying informed about their students’ grades, attendance, discipline, and more.
In addition to Google Translate and Genesis Parent Module, the LRHSD Mobile App is capable of translating 70 different languages for its calendar and news feed sections.
The language can be adjusted under the app’s “Settings” feature.
According to Birnbohm, the extensive range of language translation tools helps break down barriers to clear, open, and two-way communication.
“It reflects and supports our mission to foster ‘partnerships with families and community’ and to help ensure every student excels academically, socially, and emotionally while attending LRHSD as well as in college and careers,” Birnbohm said.
