East End Community School, 195 North Street, on Munjoy Hill.

Flags of the World for Sale at USM Today by Des Anderson.

Multilingual families are invited to a Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, September 16th at the East End Community Center, at East End Community School, 195 North Street on Munjoy Hill.  The fair runs from 1:00 – 4:00 pm  Families can get help with filing out school-related paperwork and learn about community services according to a press release issued by Tess Nacelewicz, communications coordinator for the Portland Public Schools.

Multilingual families can get assistance completing the school forms in their children’s First-Day Packets.  Families should bring their Packets with them.  Interpreters will be provided to help decipher them.  Also, more than 20 local organizers will be attending to explain what community resources are available in and around Portland for multilingual families.  The Fair is an annual event put on by the Portland Public Schools’ Multilingual Center to support multilingual families in schools and the community.

Translation help will be provided in these languages:  Portuguese, Spanish, French, Arabic, Acholi, Vietamese, Khmer, Lingola, Somali, Swahili, Kirundi and Kinyawanda. In addition, the YMCA of Southern Maine and the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine will provide childrens’ activities.  Refreshments will be provided as well.