Cultural Liaisons

Contact a Cultural Liaison 

American Indian Ed. Liaison
Raijael De Leon
(952) 245-2913
rdeleon@plsas.org

East African Liaisons
Ali Mire
(952) 226-8786
amire@plsas.org

Zeynah Abdulrazak
(952) 484-0023
zabdulrazak@plsas.org

Slavic/Russian Liaison
Dina Rybalko
(952) 226-0083
drybalko@plsas.org

Spanish Liaisons
Maria Medina
(952) 226-8989
mmedina@plsas.org 

Camila Portocarrero
(952) 226-0916
cportocarrero@plsas.org
 

Accessing Interpreters and Translators

HOW CAN A CULTURAL LIAISON HELP?

More than 60 different languages are spoken by students by students and families within the district. Where cultural or language barriers exist, they can often be bridged with the help of interpreters for spoken communication and translators for written communication.

Our cultural liaisons assist school staff and parents with school-related matters. They can:

• Help families understand the American school system and help them fill out school paperwork such as forms for school registration, immunizations, Free & Reduced Lunch, transportation, scholarships, and more.

• Interpret home-school communications between staff and parents regarding academic and behavior matters.

• Interpret for early childhood screenings, special education assessments, parent meetings, and conferences.

• Encourage bilingual families to participate in parent-teacher conferences and attend those conferences to interpret for families.

• Serve as a resource to school staff about working with students and families from other cultures.