Why do it?
First of its kind - This program is the first of its kind in the nation. Your participation will help shape this groundbreaking initiative.

Use your linguistic skills - Make an impact by helping English learning families communicate with school staff.

Free Training - You will receive free training to build your skills as an interpreter. By volunteering with this program you will receive certification as a San Francisco Unified School District Volunteer Interpreter.

Make an Impact - Use your language skills to help parents support their child’s education.

What is the commitment?
Your volunteer service begins with a 90 minute orientation and four interpretation trainings. This free training to expand your linguistic skills is central to our program as we want you to have both a quality learning experience and a successful school volunteer experience.

As a Volunteer Interpreter, you serve in schools 4 hours a month through June 2009.

All trainings are on Saturday.

Training Series 2:
May 3: 1 p.m. -4 p.m @ SFUSD District Office Board Room, 555 Franklin Street
May 10: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m @ School Volunteers Office, 727 Golden Gate Ave., Top Floor
May 31: 9:30 a.m. -4 p.m @ School Volunteers Office, 727 Golden Gate Ave., Top Floor
June 7, 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m @ School Volunteers Office, 727 Golden Gate Ave., Top Floor

What will be covered in the training sessions?
The training sessions will provide a basic introduction to the role of the interpreter, the different modes of interpretation and a definition of the basic terms associated with interpretation. In-class exercises will be used to develop memory, acquire relevant terminology and to discuss ethical issues and protocol. Training sessions will be led by Angela Zawadzki, a certified judicial interpreter for the State of California and Federal Courts. Angela is fluent in four languages.

What are the volunteer activities?
You and your fellow volunteer interpreters are trained to assist school personnel to communicate with parents and family members during in-person meetings.

1. Parent-Teacher Conferences or meetings related to a child’s education.
2. Morning and Afternoon Front Office Communication between visitors and the school office personnel (in person or on the telephone) during peak morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times.
3. Informal Event Hospitality during school events such as Back-to-School Night, Math and Literacy Nights, and other community events.
4. Family Requested Meetings with teachers to assist with understanding of school communications, assessment results, and other school related matters.

Is being a volunteer interpreter really for you?
This is a unique opportunity for you to deepen your language skills and be an essential part of a child’s education.
The trainings are designed for volunteers like yourself. It is a chance to learn interpreter skills and deepen your language skills.
Our volunteer interpreter program is a one of a kind project. You are one of the first volunteer interpreters in any school district.