TalkingPoints: The Podcast

Ep. 19 - Stop the Drop: Turn Communication into an Enrollment Booster

Falling enrollment isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a story problem. Every school-family interaction shapes your district’s public image. Communications leaders who recognize this can turn everyday moments into powerful PR that builds trust, boosts reputation, and drives enrollment. In this session, hear insights from Patti Moon, Chief Communications Officer at Aurora Public Schools, and learn how to: 1. Equip all staff to use family communication as a lever for positive PR 2. Strengthen your district’s reputation through authentic, inclusive messaging 3. Activate families as co-creators and champions of your district’s story Stopping the drop is just the beginning. These strategies don’t just keep families from leaving; they foster a stronger learning culture that drives student success. We’ll break down the what, when, and how of digital communication to turn your school community into your most powerful PR team. Bonus ⁠Click here⁠ [https://21701790.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21701790/pdf/edWeek%2002.05.26%20webinar_companion-guide.pdf] to receive a companion guide for the "Stop the Drop" webinar.

Ep. 18 - 8 Ways Educators can Write Clear Messages for Multilingual Families

In this short, "TalkingPoints: Fast Facts" episode of TalkingPoints: The Podcast, we dig into a routine task with a big impact: sending messages home. With nearly 1 in 4 students in U.S. schools speaking a language other than English at home, every message is an opportunity to build trust—or accidentally create confusion. You’ll learn eight simple strategies to make your messages clearer, kinder, and more accessible for every family, in every language—whether they read in English or rely on translation. You’ll also hear how TalkingPoints features like readability flags, Ed 101, and translated video captions can back you up as you build strong, two-way bridges with multilingual families. Let’s build something great together—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠start your journey with TalkingPoints.⁠ [https://talkingpts.org/demo/?utm_medium=content&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=tp-podcast&utm_content=demo-request]

Ep. 17 - 5 Spring Family Engagement Strategies

*This is the third in a 3-part series about a groundbreaking approach that deploys family engagement as an effective intervention itself within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Visit episodes 2 and 13 for the first two parts of the series. Identifying and understanding the root cause of a struggling student is key to getting them back on track. Families often hold the clearest insight into where support is needed most. In this episode, the TalkingPoints team uncovers how to leverage family engagement to drive more intensive and targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions. The presenters share actionable steps to support these five key engagement strategies. 1. Collaborate with families to identify root causes 2. Create school-family “wrap-around” supports 3. Ensure equal access to resources 4. Build intentional, respect-based relationships 5. Create outcomes-focused Tier 2 and Tier 3 engagement Bonus Click here [https://talkingpts.org/student-support-starts-with-family-engagement/?utm_medium=content&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=episode-notes] to receive a companion guide with communication templates and solutions that can be used to support your intervention strategies.

Ep. 16 - TalkingPoints Solutions: 4 Steps to Measurable Attendance Impact with TalkingPoints

See how research-backed strategies and new features help districts partner with families to cut absenteeism, strengthen family engagement, and get students back on track. Chronic absenteeism rates are at near-record highs. Every missed day compounds learning loss. But what if you could turn the tide with proven strategies that deliver real results? Let’s build something great together—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠start your journey with TalkingPoints.⁠ [https://talkingpts.org/demo/?utm_medium=content&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=tp-podcast&utm_content=demo-request] Speakers: 1. Rob Bayuk | Product Marketing Manager, TalkingPoints 2. Dr. Mallary Swartz | Director of Research, TalkingPoints

Ep. 15 - Family Engagement Strategies in the 2nd Semester

A strong school-family partnership is often established at the beginning of the school year. Back-to-school information and refreshed communication protocols outline a foundation that gives the relationship a fresh start. But by the second semester, new challenges may arise. What worked back in the fall may not be as effective in January. In this webinar, the TalkingPoints team shares strategies for building strong second-semester family engagement including: 1. Identifying and analyzing root causes of engagement challenges 2. Building a mutual combined response between families and schools 3. Sharing action-oriented resources to drive student success 4. Resetting mindsets with families to build trust Let’s build something great together—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠start your journey with TalkingPoints. [https://talkingpts.org/demo/?utm_medium=content&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=tp-podcast&utm_content=demo-request] Speakers: 1. Kate Pechacek | CEO / Founder OpendoorsEd | K12 Strategic Consultant for TalkingPoints 2. Kristie Werner | Sr. Manager of Product Marketing, TalkingPoints