Getting Started Guide: School Admin

How do I get started in making the most of my paid TalkingPoints account?

Dimetri Duckrey avatar
Written by Dimetri Duckrey
Updated over a week ago

The TalkingPoints mission is to help you engage your families. Our focus is serving underserved and multilingual families. Let’s get started!

STEP 1: SIGN IN

TalkingPoints allows you to sign in different ways using our web app. The first way you login might be dependent upon the type of account your school or district has created (Clever, ClassLink, or .csv), so see below for more details.

Clever Accounts

If your school or district created their account using Clever, you will first need to sign in through Clever single sign-on (SSO) and then create a password for TalkingPoints.

ClassLink Accounts

If your school or district created their account using ClassLink, you can sign in through their single sign-on (SSO).

.csv Accounts

If your school or district created their account using a .csv file, you will need to use the invite sent to your email address from your admin and sign in directly to TalkingPoints or with Google single sign-on (SSO).


STEP 2: ENSURE ALL STAFF HAVE ACCOUNTS

For any staff members who don't have Clever/ClassLink accounts or any staff members that need an account after the initial .csv upload, creating an account for them is very simple!

Step 1: Click on the 'Staff' tab.

Step 2: Select 'Add Staff'.

Step 3: Enter in the first name, last name, email address and set the permission level for the staff member.

Step 4: Click 'Invite'.

Once the account has been created, the staff member will be able to login through the main login page.

STEP 3: SEND YOUR FIRST MESSAGE

Your staff, classes, students and contacts will already be in your account!

The next step is to compose an introductory message to send to your families. Introduce yourself and let families know that you will be using TalkingPoints to communicate with them.

Step 1: Click on 'Send a Message'.

Step 2: Select your recipients.

Step 3: Compose a message by:

a. Typing in the text box

b. Selecting a template

Step 4: Click 'Send'.

To send a message at a different time, select 'Schedule' and choose the date and time.

Did you Know?

  • Families who are signed up for SMS text messages will receive a message that lets them know they can opt out of receiving your messages by texting GOODBYE or STOP at any time.

  • Families receive text messages, but there is also a TalkingPoints for Families App that families can download.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

STEP 4: ENGAGE YOUR FAMILIES

There are multiple ways to engage your families once you have your account set up:

  • Schedule and save messages as templates that you send often, like homework reminders

  • Add photos, emojis and other attachments

  • Send whole school announcements or reach out to families individually

The more you engage your families the more support they can give your students. Families appreciate hearing from you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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