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Parental Engagement and Rights

Parental Involvement

We encourage you to be an active part of your child's education. You can get involved by:

  • Joining the ELPAC (English Learner Parent Advisory Council).
  • Participating in the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).
  • Attending school performances or volunteering as a field trip chaperone.

Note: If you have questions regarding your rights or program options, please contact your child’s ESL teacher or the school administration.

Family Rights:

At Norfolk Public Schools, we value strong partnerships with families and believe that multilingual learners/English learners thrive when schools and families work together. Families of multilingual learners/English learners have important rights and supports, including:

  • The right to receive important school information in a language you can understand whenever possible
  • The right to ask questions and partner with school staff in supporting your child’s learning and growth
  • The right to learn about your child’s English language proficiency level, progress, and instructional supports
  • The right to be informed about English learner services and programs available in the district
  • The right to accept or decline English learner services for your child
  • The right to request a meeting with school staff to discuss your child’s progress, needs, or services
  • The right to interpretation or translation support for important meetings and communications whenever possible
  • The right for your child to participate fully in all school programs, activities, and opportunities
  • The right for your child to learn in a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive school environment that values students’ languages, cultures, and experiences
  • The right to participate in the English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) and share feedback that helps strengthen programs and services for multilingual learners/English learners

These rights and supports are informed by the Massachusetts LOOK Act, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance, and federal civil rights protections for multilingual learners/English learners and their families.