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Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC) and Parent/Community Involvement

Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC)/English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC)

Family & Community-School Partnerships

Strong Family-School Partnerships are built on mutual respect and trust and are based on a foundational belief that student success and district improvements are a joint responsibility. 

"Families and Their Communities Foster a Child’s Academic and Social and Emotional Development and Growth. As Such, Collaborative Partnerships Among Schools, Families, and Community Organizations Are Crucial to Student Engagement and Success. One Way for Schools to Form Partnerships with Parents and Guardians of English Learners (ELs) Is to Establish English Learner Parent Advisory Councils (ELPACs) to Promote and Support the Success of ELs."

The LOOK Act and English Learner Parent Advisory Councils (ELPACs)

On November 22, 2017, Governor Baker signed the Language Opportunity for Our Kids Act (LOOK Act) into law. This law aims to improve the education of English learners (ELs). The law has created more opportunities for parents and guardians of English learners to provide input in language acquisition programs. 

What Are ELPACs?

English Learner Parent Advisory Councils (ELPACs) are made up of parents and legal guardians of English Learners. 

How Can I Get Involved?

Membership is voluntary and open to all parents and legal guardians of students who are or have been identified as English Learners.

Who Is Required to Create and Support ELPAC?

School Districts with 100 or more English learners, or in which English learners comprise 5% of the student body, whichever is less, are required to establish ELPACs. Schools designated as underperforming or chronically underperforming must also establish ELPACs. 

What Are the Duties of ELPACs?

ELPAC Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Creating By-laws (Rules) Regarding Officers and Operational Procedures;
  • Advising the School District, School Committee, and Board of Trustees on Matters Related to English Learners;
  • Meeting Regularly with School or District Leaders to Participate in the Planning and Development of Programs to Improve Educational Opportunities for English Learners;
  • Advising the District or School on Any New Proposed Language Acquisition  Programs;
  • Reviewing District and School Improvement Plans As They Relate to English Learners; and
  • Meeting at Least Annually with the School Committee or School Council.

The Success of ELPACs depends on building supportive, trusting, collaborative partnerships among and between parents, School Staff and Leaders, and Community Members. Please go to https://Www.doe.mass.edu/Ele/Families/Elpac/Default.html  for more information on ELPACs.

Communication with Parents

State and Federal Regulations require districts to provide information about assessment(s) and related academic achievement to parents of ELs in a language they can understand.  Report cards and progress reports are available in our district's major languages: Spanish and Portuguese.  Parents may request a translation of their child’s report card or progress report by contacting the EL coordinator at their child's respective school or the EL director of the Milford Public Schools. Each school also provides codes of conduct in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as the district calendar for the year. EL Coordinators at each school coordinate efforts to have important documents and notices translated into our students’ native languages when necessary or when requested.

When a student is identified as an EL student, Milford Public Schools will notify the parent of their child's entry into the EL program within 10 days. The notice will include information about why the student was assessed and what services are available.  The letter will give parents the option to decline any English language development instruction for their child and whom to contact about services.

Parent-school Partnerships

Milford Public Schools encourage parent-school partnership by offering a selection of:

  • Literacy and Math Nights
  • Multilingual Parent Advisory Council Meetings (MPAC)
  • Adult ESL Classes Offered Through partnership with the Milford Town Library and Framingham Adult ESL Programming
  • Back to School Nights
  • Parent Information Nights
  • Student Assemblies