Communication

Communication

Google Voice allows teachers call or text parents and students. The district provides a Google Voice number connected with your school Gmail account, otherwise you could use your personal Gmail account to get one. You need to download the App on your cellphone or use the web site:

https://voice.google.com/

If you have students whose parents speak other languages, you have two resources:

1. Voiance, an interpreter phone bank.

Dial 1-866-998-0338> Enter your account # 28441> Enter your PIN # 4-digit School Code

Say the language you need or enter the language code:

• Ext. 2708;: Spanish or Ext. 2709: Spanish or Ext. 2716: Spanish

• Ext. 2712: Somali or Ext. 1119: Swahili or Ext. 2714: Swahili/Kinyarwanda

• Ext. 2715: Burmese or Ext. 2711: Karen or Ext. 2710: Vietnamese

When the interpreter comes on the line, give the interpreter a brief explanation of the call.

Interpretation or Translation Request Form

To find a student' home language, watch the video posted on the Tyler page.

2. Talking Points, a free messaging app that allows teachers to communicate in families' home languages via their phones or internet-connected devices. It also includes English language.

Go to: https://talkingpts.org/ >Sign up with your District Google account.

You will be assigned a phone number to send texts. To find out the number send yourself a text. The teacher will type a message and send it in English. The parent will receive and reply the text in their own native language. The teacher will receive the reply in English.

Other tools for communication are Calendly and Class Tag.