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How to access TalkingPoints

Rhianon Gutierrez Updated by Rhianon Gutierrez

SY 23-24:
Please note that TalkingPoints is syncing with our latest rosters. It is a rostered application that reflects what has been shared and updated in Aspen.

Family and student contact info should only be updated in Aspen for security reasons so that it is reflected across all rostered platforms.

What is TalkingPoints and who has access?

TalkingPoints is a two-way multilingual family engagement platform that allows teachers and schools to have communication with families across language barriers! The platform translates messages back and forth into over 100 languages, to allow for teachers and school administrators to be able to reach families in their preferred languages directly, which in turn increases parent engagement in the classroom and school communities!

All Teachers and School Administrators have access to TalkingPoints via Clever. Teachers will automatically be given access to their class rosters to be able to communicate with their families. Since TalkingPoints is a rostered app, any changes should be made in Aspen to carry over to TalkingPoints, with the exception of the language.
For those without classes in Clever (i.e. family liaisons, operations staff, and social workers), please ask your school admin to manually add you to your school's TalkingPoints account. In TalkingPoints, School Admin would click on the Staff tab > Add Staff then add your name and email and designate you the role of School Admin, School Viewer, Non-Rostered Staff, or Teacher. Click here for an explanation of each role.

Once you obtain access, please login to TalkingPoints via the website at www.app.talkingpts.org using Google SSO or via your mobile phone. You will not be able to login via Clever as a non-rostered staff (staff member without classes).

How do I login as a teacher or admin?

Chromebook or Laptop:

Step 1: Go to Clever: www.bostonpublicschools.org/backpack. Be sure to sign in using your BPS Gmail and password.

Step 2: Look for the TalkingPoints icon under "Staff Links":

Mobile Phone:

Download the TalkingPoints for Teachers Mobile Application in either the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

If you would like to use the TalkingPoints for Teachers Mobile Application to communicate with your families on the go, you will first need to log in on your Chromebook or Laptop through Clever, and set a password that can be used with the Mobile Application.

How do families log in?

As soon as you start sending communication, families will automatically receive messages from you on their cell phones as basic SMS text messages.

Help! My families are being asked for a code.

Families should not be entering codes. If a family reports this, do the following:

1. Ensure that their number is listed under Cell Phone, not Home Phone, in Aspen in order to receive your messages.

2. Verify that the number they are using to register in TalkingPoints matches what is on file under Cell Phone in Aspen. If they are using a different cell number, change it in Aspen under the Cell Phone contact for that family member. Any changes made in Aspen will need to sync overnight to be updated in TalkingPoints.

TalkingPoints has also developed an optional, and free, Parent Mobile Application which they can use to receive messages, and bypass the texts. The Parent Mobile Application is also available for download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Learn how to tell whether your families are receiving messages by SMS text, or through the Parent Application.

How can I send messages in another language?

TalkingPoints will automatically send messages to families in the preferred language that has been indicated in your Student Information System (Aspen X2), so you don't have to do anything to send messages in another language!

Learn more about our translation here.

Read some tips on writing for translation here.

How can families communicate with me?

Families can respond to your message in their home language via text message, because TalkingPoints will translate their messages into English for you.

What if a family member prefers to get messages in another language than what's in Aspen?

You can locate that particular family member in their Student's Details, and click on the three dots next to the contact, and click on the "Edit Contact," where you'll be able to update their language!

Note: If families have downloaded the Parent Mobile Application, they can also change their own language preference in the app!

What resources can I share with families?

Where can I learn more about TalkingPoints?

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

Email hello@talkingpts.org or by clicking the "Help Center" question mark icon in your TalkingPoints account.

For BPS-specific translation and interpretation questions, contact translations@bostonpublicschools.org.

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