Audience: District Admins, School Admins, Teachers
Overview
This glossary explains key terms used in TalkingPoints during important times of the school year - especially the end of the year, summer school, and back-to-school. Use this guide to understand key terms used in the explanation of these three milestones.
Key Terms
End of the School Year
The final weeks leading up to the last day of the 2025–2026 school year.
Last Day of School
The official final day of the 2025–2026 school year.
Usually includes:
Fall 2025 (Semester 1)
Spring 2026 (Semester 2)
May also include Summer School 2026, depending on your district or school
Summer School
Classes held after the last day of the school year and before the next school year begins.
Occurs between:
End of 2025–2026 school year
Start of 2026–2027 school year
Rollover
The date when your Student Information System (SIS) switches from one school year to the next.
Example:
From 2025–2026 → 2026–2027
This date is set by TalkingPoints partners in their SIS (not TalkingPoints)
School Year Filter
The setting that controls which school year data you see in TalkingPoints.
Affects:
Messages
Classes
Student data
To update the school year filter:
Go to ⚙️ Settings
Select School Year
Choose the School Year 2026–2027 start date
Important notes:
District and school admins can allow staff to view past messages
If this is turned off, staff will not see prior year messages
When the new school year starts:
Messages from 2025–2026 are archived
Archived messages are still accessible in the product
For teachers:
Personal accounts use a fixed date of July 1, 2026
This school year filter date cannot be changed for personal teacher accounts
Back-to-School (BTS)
The period when schools prepare to start the new school year (2026–2027).
Includes:
Setting up classes
Importing student data
Preparing communication with families
Back-to-School Prep
The steps needed to get ready for a successful start to the new school year.
May include:
Updating SIS data
Confirming class rosters
Checking staff access
Ensuring messaging tools are ready
Need More Help?
Please reach out to your Partner Success Manager or partnersupport@talkingpts.org if you have any questions.