United Nations Technology Comes to BCSD

As parents file into JFK Elementary School Open House this week, they are greeted by Maider Solores, the district’s Community Outreach Specialist, and are given the option to use translation devices just like at the United Nations.  

Up until last year, parents who needed translation, would use an interpreter who would listen to the speaker in English and then translate into Spanish after each sentence or group of sentences. There were oftentimes barriers because of the delays. The new technology, which consists of a headset worn by a translator and a mini radio and headsets worn by parents, is meant to erase all language barriers by being in real time.

“The devices have transformed the experiences for families,” explained Jaimie Dini, BCSD K-12 ELL and Bilingual Specialist, “because they now have access to all the information. This allows families to be in the same room, but hear the important information in the language that they best understand. During a meeting last year, I had a parent tell me that he loved using the devices because he actually understood everything that was shared during the meeting.”

P-tech Coordinator and Assistant Vice Principal at H.H. Wells Middle School, Miguel Suarez has used the headsets for parent P-tech meetings. “Parents are extremely happy about being able to listen to events in real time,” he explained.

Even the in-house interpreters notice a difference, “Being part of this gives me such pride,” said Jessica Zhinin, a science and bilingual teacher at Brewster High School, “Being able to help families be a part of a school event in "real-time" demonstrates true equity for all members of the community.”

The district has 25 devices with the ability to add more and multiple in-house interpreters. Like the mission of the United Nations, Brewster’s mission is to build a stronger community.