Translation and Interpreters

Providing clear communication between our schools and families.

Need an Interpreter?

If you are a staff member and need an interpreter you will make arrangements through Weaving Cultures. You will soon be able to access this service through Class Link. In the meantime, if you have an immediate need, please call 763-432-3225 and put in your building or department code. If you do not know your code, please contact your building or department administrative assistant.

More instructions

Spanish, Somali, and Hmong Family Liaisons

Student Success Cultural Liaisons provide district-wide support to students and families related to student success and achievement. They will focus on student and family engagement, relationship building, language support, collaboration and problem-solving, and data-driven support.

Student Success Cultural Liaisons

Spanish Liaison

Brando Rojas

Somali Liaison

Ayan Bundiid
Ayan.Bundiid @HopkinsSchools.org

Hmong Liaison

Coming soon

Weaving Cultures Phone Interpretation

Scheduling Interpreters

Interpreters translate spoken words orally (including ASL). We are under contract with Weaving Cultures for our interpretation needs.

In person interpreting:
(Must send request at least 5 days in advance of event)

Email info@weavingcultures.com or call 763-432-3225. Include the following information:

Language needed
Name of student
Date
Time slot (start to finish)
(WC will add 10-15 minutes to the start of a job as a buffer to make sure interpreters arrive on time and are settled.
Location (school, room number/area or virtual. If virtual, include the link for the Google Meet.

Pay close attention to the emails you receive from WC. You will receive a notice for every "open job" and then another one for when an interpreter has been booked. Call Weaving Cultures right away if you see booking errors.

If the interpreter does not show up 10-15 minutes before the scheduled event, call WC right away so that they can attempt to solve the problem.

Phone interpreting:
At the time of needing an interpreter, call 763-703-2691. (Consider calling the family in advance to ensure they are available and want/require an interpreter)

Once prompted to enter your 6 digit access code. This is available from your school’s administrative assistant.

You will then be prompted to enter the Language Code.

Video remote interpreting:

On Demand VRI (Requestor Portal)
Requestor User Guide for On-Demand OPI & VRI

Document Translations

AI (such as Google Translate, Google Doc “Tools”, DeepL)

Tips:

Never include personally identifying information in what you input.
Resources can be web-based, apps, Google Doc→Tools→Translate
Useful for emails, texts, newsletters, classroom assignments
Works moderately well for languages such as Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian. Some languages are not as accurate at this time.
Vet the translation if possible by someone who is fluent in the language. If that’s not possible, include a disclaimer that you are using an app for translating (especially if making contact with families for the first time).