Questions?

Felicia Cahan
PCSD Coordinator of Communications
fcahan@my.putnamschools.org

Language Assistance Services

Putnam County School District is committed to ensuring effective communication with all families. To support our diverse community, we offer LanguageLine Solutions—a service that provides both on-demand voice translation and document translation to assist with language access needs.

What is LanguageLine?

LanguageLine is a professional interpretation and translation service that allows staff to communicate with families who speak languages other than English.

PCSD schools have access to two types of services through LanguageLine:

Voice Interpretation Services

This is the primary and preferred method for real-time communication with non-English-speaking families.
Voice interpretation is available:

  • Over the phone

  • In-person (via phone)

  • During parent meetings, front office visits, and school events

This service is readily available for use by all schools and does not require prior approval.

When you use Language Line, please be advised of the following:

  1. Make sure to have your school code when you start the phone call to Language Line.

  2. When you connect with one of the interpreters, please ask for their name and Language Line Identification number.

  3. If your call drops off, you may have to start the process again. It could take a few minutes if the interpreters are busy. It may be a different translator taking your case, so please ask for their name and Identification number again. This will help us to track the time used when we receive their monthly billing.

  4. Meetings, phone calls, or any other activity you need to use Language Line, may take longer than the regular time scheduled because of the translation back and forth. If you have planned a meeting of 30 minutes, it can take double of it, moreover if there is an active interaction between parties.

Document Translation Services

LanguageLine also offers professional document translation services. However, due to high costs and limited use in the past, all requests for document translation must be approved in advance.

If you believe a document needs to be translated:

  • Please email the document and a brief explanation to: fcahan@my.putnamschools.org

Additional Communication Tools

In addition to LanguageLine, PCSD offers built-in translation tools through our communication platforms:

  • Website – Automatically translatable into multiple languages

  • Thrillshare Email, SMS Messages – Families can receive emails in their preferred language

  • Rooms App – Messaging system with automatic translation features for parents and teachers

These platforms are encouraged for general communication as they support our goal of increasing accessibility and engagement.