Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Services
who we are
Vision
Vision: For bilingual, immigrant, and refugee families in Tulsa Public Schools to feel welcome and empowered to actively participate and support their children’s education, and become thriving 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 and promote their children’s academic success and further develop their sense of belonging and identity by creating educational and leadership opportunities for parents, and celebrating the traditions, cultures and languages of our immigrant communities.
Who We Are: The Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Services team supports students and their families as they navigate the Tulsa Public Schools’ educational system. We educate on regulations and policies, and provide programs to enhance the student and family experience. We embrace, encourage, and celebrate different cultures and backgrounds.
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.
Our team
Biba Dávila
District Language Specialist
davilge@tulsaschools.org
Linda Arroyo
District Language Specialist
arroyli@tulsaschools.org
Ayesha Karimi
Refugee Navigator
karimay@tulsaschools.org
Omid Mobarezpoor
Refugee Navigator
mobarom@tulsaschools.org
Parent Engagement
English Learner Parent Advisory Committee
English for Parents
Our English for Parents program offers tuition-free English classes to Tulsa Public School parents with limited English proficiency who want to learn or improve their English language skills.
The program gives parents practical and applicable English skills that allows them to engage in the school system and support them in their ability to connect with the school. In-person and virtual classes are available to parents three times per week. Classes are held in-person at selected locations. Virtual classes are offered via Zoom. Good attendance is required. Due to the high demand, a student may lose their spot with continued absences.
New students can enroll in August and January. Parents must complete the online registration form that will be posted on our Spanish Facebook page: Escuelas Públicas de Tulsa. Upon completion and submission of the Registration Form, parents will be contacted by a team representative to confirm their enrollment. Students will be provided all necessary information and links to the Zoom class upon confirmation of enrollment.
Space is limited and enrollment is on a first come first serve basis.A waitlist is available for students who are not able to enroll at the beginning of each semester and allows access to seats as drops are processed.
We do not provide childcare services for the in-person classes. For more information, call 918-240-7468.
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.
The Welcome Project works with parents to help them engage in their children’s education, and advocate for themselves and their children in schools, by providing support, advocacy, information and referrals to local agencies or organizations to meet their immediate needs.
Parents are also invited to participate in our Newcomer Orientation sessions that are designed to support successful integration and school involvement by helping parents understand the school system, school routines and educational expectations.
For more information, call 918-240-7468.
Our Work
The Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Services team strives to serve our multilingual, immigrant and refugee communities. Through our immigrant and refugee services work, we support these students and their families and support their integration into our schools.
Since October of 2021, Tulsa Public Schools has partnered with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma and other local resettlement agencies to enroll and welcome refugee families to our schools.
Our services and resources are designed to support the district’s efforts to welcome, enroll and serve immigrant and refugee families. Some of the services being provided include:
- School enrollment
- Newcomer family orientations
- Language assistance services
- Foreign transcript evaluation for students
- Support in navigating Tulsa Public Schools
- Basic needs assistance
Language Assistance
All parents have the right to receive information about their child's education in a language they understand, through translated materials or a language interpreter, and to adequate notice of information about any program, service, or activity.
Tulsa Public Schools provides professional language assistance services, including interpretation (oral) and translation (written), to parents and guardians who may have limited English proficiency, at no cost to them.
When a child enrolls in Tulsa Public Schools, we ask parents about the language they would like to use when communication with the school. This information helps our schools identify the language needs so they can provide an interpreter or translated documents.
Only those with approval by the district can provide translation and interpretation services. This may include staff, volunteers, or contract providers.
We discourage the use of family members and friends for the provision of language assistance services, the use of such individuals would be a violation of interpretation and translation practices.
A minor child may never interpret or translate.
- Parent Notification of Language Assistance Services
- Language Assistance Services for Parents/Guardians
- Language Assistance Plan
Parent Notification of Language Assistance Services
Language Assistance Services for Parents/Guardians
Tulsa Public Schools offers interpretation and translation services through face to face interpretation, over-the-phone interpretation and written translation. The following resources and services are also available at no charge to parents:
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I Speak Card: Our "I Speak" Cards enable parents to ask for language assistance services, helps schools identify the language spoken by the parent, and directs staff to provide language assistance services. Parents/guardians should carry this card with them and bring it to their school or district offices to request interpretation services in their language. The I Speak Cards are available on our top ten languages. Parents may reach out to your school to request a printed copy of the Speak Card in their language.
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Spanish Line: Call our Spanish Line at 918-387- 8580. We will connect you with an interpreter right away. The interpreter will stay with you on the line when you call Tulsa Public Schools.
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TalkingPoints | Text Message Translation Tool: TalkingPoints is an easy and safe way families can communicate in their home languages with their child’s teachers for free. Teachers and school staff use tool to communicate with parents about their child’s education and progress. TalkingPoints supports communication and engagement with families in more than 150 languages.
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My Bus Information Card: This card is designed to provide our staff with the information that is needed to assist newcomer students with transportation services. If the student gets on the wrong bus or needs help to locate their bus at the end of the school day, they can show their Bus Information Card to a bus driver or school staff to request assistance.
Language Assistance Plan
Resources
Contact Us
