Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Services
who we are
Vision
Vision
For bilingual, immigrant, and refugee families in Tulsa Public Schools to feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to actively participate in their children’s education and thrive as integral members of their school communities.
Mission
The mission of the Bilingual, Immigrant, and Refugee Services team is to empower immigrant and refugee families to advocate for their children’s academic success while fostering pride in their cultures, language and heritage. We achieve this by creating educational and leadership opportunities for parents, celebrating the cultures, languages, and traditions of our immigrant communities, expanding access to multilingual information and resources, and supporting district efforts to ensure every family feels welcomed, connected, and supported.
Who We Are
The Bilingual, Immigrant, and Refugee Services team supports students and families as they navigate the Tulsa Public Schools educational system. We provide guidance on district policies and procedures, connect families with programs and resources, and create opportunities that enhance student and family engagement. By embracing and celebrating the diverse cultures, languages, and backgrounds of our school communities, we help foster a welcoming environment where every family feels seen, supported, and empowered.
Beliefs
We believe our diversity is a community treasure.
We care for one another, support one another, and work together to improve our community.
Our classrooms are safe spaces.
We are here for you.
We recognize that many of our community members may have questions or concerns about the rights of students and families who have immigrated to the United States. We hope the information included here will help to alleviate your worries and answer your questions. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Parent Engagement
English Learner Parent Advisory Committee
English for Parents
The English for Parents program offers free beginner-level English classes for Tulsa Public Schools parents who want to develop foundational English language skills. Designed for beginners, these classes focus on essential skills such as basic vocabulary, greetings, simple grammar, sentence structure, and everyday conversations.
Through these classes, parents build confidence and develop practical English skills to communicate in daily situations, engage with their children’s schools, and strengthen their connection with the school community.
In-person classes are held at selected sites and registration information is provided to parents based on the available class location. New students may enroll in August and January.
Space is limited, and enrollment is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist is available for parents who are unable to enroll at the beginning of each semester and may provide access to available seats as openings become available.
Please note: Childcare services are not provided.
Community Connections
Our Community Connections events are part of our Welcome Project. They are designed to provide newcomer and immigrant families the opportunity to learn about the resources and services available in our community, and develop new skills. These events are organized in collaboration with local agencies and community organizations that offer free or affordable services that meet the needs of our newcomer and immigrant families.
Our Community Connection events are held virtually on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30pm - 6:30pm.
Registration is required. Parents must complete the online registration form that is posted every month on our Spanish Facebook page: Escuelas Públicas de Tulsa.
For more information, please call 918-240-7468.
Immigrant and Refugee Services
The Welcome Project
The Welcome Project at Tulsa Public Schools offers programs and services designed to welcome recently arrived immigrant and refugee students and their families in the district, facilitate their transition to our schools, and ensure the district provides them with the appropriate services and supports.
Welcome Orientations for Newcomer Families
Parents are invited to participate in our monthly Welcome Orientations for Newcomer Families, designed to to help families feel supported, informed, and connected as they begin their journey with Tulsa Public Schools.
During these sessions, families learn how the school system works, including school routines, academic expectations, and important processes. Families also receive support updating their information in PowerSchool and are introduced to communication tools, such as TalkingPoints, to help them stay connected with their child’s school.
The Welcome Orientations for Newcomer Families are held monthly on the last Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm. Both in-person and virtual options are available to accommodate families’ needs.
Families are invited through direct TalkingPoints messages and flyers.
Refugee services
The Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Services team strives to serve our multilingual, immigrant and refugee communities. Through our refugee services work, we support refugee students and their families as they transition into and become part of the Tulsa Public Schools family.
Since October 2021, Tulsa Public Schools has been actively collaborating with local agencies to ensure a smooth enrollment process for refugee students in our district and work closely with schools to welcome these families and setting them up for successful partnerships and the student’s academic success.
Some of the refugee services being provided include:
- School enrollment
- Family orientations
- Language assistance services
- Foreign transcript evaluation for secondary students
- Academic support
- Assistance with accessing to community resources
- College readiness for students, including college visits, student support to meet graduation requirements, FAFSA and Oklahoma Promise workshops.
Language Assistance
Tulsa Public Schools is committed to ensuring meaningful communication with all families. We provide timely and professional language assistance services at no cost to parents and guardians who may need interpretation (spoken) or translation (written) support for school communication purposes.
When a student enrolls in Tulsa Public Schools, parents are asked if they require language assistance and to identify their preferred language for school communication. This information allows schools to provide interpreters or translated documents as needed.
We strongly discourage the use of family members or friends as interpreters, as this may raise concerns related to confidentiality, privacy, conflicts of interest, and lack of qualifications.
Children and students should NEVER be used to interpret or translate in any school setting. Doing so can violate confidentiality and privacy protections under FERPA.
Tulsa Public Schools provides Interpretation and translation services through the following:
- District-Approved Interpreters and Translators: To ensure accuracy and confidentiality, only individuals approved by the district, may provide interpretation and translation services in Tulsa Public Schools.
- Audio/Over-the-Phone Interpreting Services
For questions or assistance with interpretation and translation services, please contact your school or the language assistance services team at 918-746-6730.
Parent Notification of Language Assistance Services
Tulsa Public Schools takes proactive steps to ensure that parents and guardians who may need language assistance are informed about the free interpretation and translation services available to them for all school related matters. To support this effort, the following signs are displayed in schools:
Language Assistance Tools for Parents
Tulsa Public Schools offers interpretation and translation services to ensure all families can access important information in a language they understand . The following tools are available to parents and guardians at no cost, providing direct access to support for school-related matters.
I Speak Cards
Our "I Speak" Cards help parents and guardians easily request language assistance services. These cards allow families to identify the language they speak and prompt school staff to connect them with an interpreter or provide translated materials as needed. Parents are encouraged to carry their card and present it when visiting schools or district offices to ensure clear and effective communication. "I Speak" Cards are available in the following top languages spoken by families in Tulsa Public Schools: Spanish, Hmong, Pashto, Dari, Chuukese, Marshallese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and French. Families can request a printed copy of the card in their preferred language by contacting their school’s main office or the Language Assistance team at 918-746-6730.
TPS Interpretation Phone Lines
Our Interpretation phone lines offer our parents direct access to an interpreter over the phone and a greater level of comfort when they need to contact Tulsa Public Schools.. Dedicated phone numbers have been created in Spanish, Hmong, Pashto, Dari, and Marshallese. When parents call the phone number for their language, their call is automatically connected to a professional interpreter who stays on the line for the entire conversation, ensuring clear and accurate communication. Families can request a printed copy of the card in their preferred language by contacting their school’s main office or the Language Assistance team at 918-746-6730.
- Spanish Line: (918) 387-8580
- Hmong Line: (918) 771-9617
- Pashto Line: (918) 771-9382
- Dari Line: (918) 890-1439
- Marshallese Line: (918) 228-4944
- Arabic Line: (918) 818-3536
TalkingPoints for Families
TalkingPoints is a simple, secure, and free tool that allows families to communicate with their child’s teachers in their home language. Teachers and school staff use TalkingPoints to share important information about students’ education and progress. This platform supports two-way communication and family engagement in more than 150 languages, helping bridge language barriers and keep families connected.
How can I start using TalkingPoints?
Parents and guardians automatically receive text messages from their child’s school, teacher, or other school staff. Messages are sent to the mobile phone number listed in PowerSchool, our student records system. You can reply to these messages in your home language, and TalkingPoints will translate your response for school staff.
Is there a mobile app I can use instead of receiving text messages?
Yes! The TalkingPoints for Families app is a great option for families who have limited text messaging plans or who want access to enhanced messaging features. Once you download and install the app, you’ll be prompted to enter a verification code. After registering, you will begin receiving messages through the app instead of by text message. After logging in, you should be able to see all of your child’s teachers. If the correct classes or teachers are not listed, please contact your child’s school to make sure we have the correct mobile phone number listed in PowerSchool. Click here to find out how to download the TalkingPoints for Families app.
Why am I being asked for a Class Code in the TalkingPoints for Families App?
There is no need to join a class or enter a class code in the TalkingPoints for Families app. If you’re being prompted to enter a class code, it likely means that your phone number is not up to date in PowerSchool, our student information system. To fix this, please contact your child’s school or the Enrollment Center to update your mobile number in PowerSchool. Once your number is updated in PowerSchool, you should be able to access the app within 24 hours.
How do I switch back to text messages if I no longer want to use the app?
If you’ve registered for the TalkingPoints for Families app and want to return to receiving text messages, you’ll need to log out of the app first before deleting it from your phone. If you delete the app without logging out, the system will not automatically switch you back to text messages. Once you’ve logged out and deleted the app, you will begin receiving school messages.
Why am I not receiving any messages?
You may not receive messages if you are not listed as one of the two primary guardians for your child or if your mobile phone number is not listed in PowerSchool.. To resolve this, please contact your child’s school or the Enrollment Center to update your contact information.
Why don’t I receive messages in my language?
For text messages: If you are receiving messages in English but prefer another language, it may be because your preferred language is not correctly listed in PowerSchool. Please contact the Language Assistance Services team or your child’s school to update your language preference in PowerSchool.
For mobile app: If you are using the TalkingPoints for Families app, you can update your language directly in your account settings.. To change the language in the app, follow these steps.
Can I Unsubscribe?
Yes, if you prefer not to receive messages, you can unsubscribe at any time by texting GOODBYE or STOP in response to any TalkingPoints message. If you change your mind and want to start receiving messages again, contact the language assistance team. They will provide a special phone number, and you can text REJOIN to that number to resume receiving messages.
What if I can't understand the message or translation? Click here to find out.
Parents needing assistance with TalkingPoints should contact their child’s school or the language assistance services team at languageassistance@tulsaschools.org or 918-746-6730.
Resources
Our Team
Maricarmen Mitchell
Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Services Manager
mitchma1@tulsaschools.org
Linda Arroyo
District Language Specialist
arroyli@tulsaschools.org
David Casas
District Language Specialist
casasda@tulsaschool.org
Fatima Linares
Immigrant Services Coordinator
linarfa@tulsaschools.org
Ayesha Karimi
Refugee Navigator
karimay@tulsaschools.org
Omid Mobarezpoor
Refugee Navigator
mobarom@tulsaschools.org
Alberto Miranda
Refugee Navigator
miranal@tulsaschools.org
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