• TalkingPoints  

    In SY2021, the Boston Public Schools purchased TalkingPoints accounts for each school. TalkingPoints is a two-way multilingual family engagement platform allowing educators and administrators the opportunity to communicate with families in their native language (including English speakers) via the web, mobile, or text messages. 

    Note: Please review the TalkingPoints Policy and additional resources linked below to support your understanding of usage and management parameters.
    • Teachers and School Administrators access the TalkingPoints platform via Clever. 
      • Step 1: (Chromebook or Laptop).  Go to Clever: www.bostonpublicschools.org/backpack. Be sure to sign in using your BPS Gmail and password.
      • Step 2: Under “Staff Link”, locate and click the TalkingPoints icon.
      • Step 3 (Optional-- Mobile App Access): In order to use the TalkingPoints Mobile Teacher App, you will need to download the application via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. To use the mobile application to communicate with families, you will first need to log in to TalkingPoints on your Laptop or Chromebook via Clever and create/set a password for the Mobile Application. 
    • Classroom roster set up: Rosters are automatically created by the District, so automatic access to your specific classroom roster is available. Those without classes set up in Clever will need to talk to your school leader to be added manually to the school account as a teacher or administrator. Once your roster is manually created by your school, log in to www.app.talkingpts.org using Google SSO or via your smartphone to use TalkingPoints. 

     

      • Non-Rostered Staff Setup
        • 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, email address, and role (i.e., school admin, non-rostered staff, or teacher). Click here for an explanation of each role.  
        • Once you obtain access, please log in to TalkingPoints via the website at www.app.talkingpts.org using Google SSO or via your mobile phone. You will not be able to log in via Clever as a non-rostered staff member (staff member without classes). 

     

    • Updating student information: Users can make changes to rosters within TalkingPoints (see here for instructions). However, if parent language preferences need to be updated, please complete and forward the linked “Parent Preferred Language of Communication Form” to Welcome Services. If you have questions, you can contact Welcome Services via email at welcomeservices@bostonpublicschools.org or telephone at 617-635-9046 / 617-635-9010.  

     

    • TalkingPoints for Schools + Districts Product Updates - SY 21-22 - CLICK HERE to read updates to the "New permission levels" and general updates from TalkingPoints for schools.  (Updated June 7th, 2021)