In an effort to increase parent involvement in schools, the San Francisco Education Fund has partnered with San Francisco Unified School District to create a volunteer interpretation program to help bridge communication.

The program – which is looking for volunteers who speak Cantonese and Spanish – is aimed at helping improve student success by pairing non-English parents with interpreters to communicate with classroom teachers during day-to-day activities, back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences.

School officials have said parent participation in their child’s schooling can make a difference in their child’s educational career. Part of the school district efforts increase parent and community involvement is happening through the district’s school improvement measures.

According to the San Francisco Education Fund, nearly one in three students in San Francisco Unified is an English-learner. The school district’s $113million budget deficit means volunteers are needed now more than ever. Volunteering as an interpreter can “enhance student achievement.”