Communicating with Families

Do you have an EL family that you need to communicate with? Or do you need an interpreter for an upcoming conference?

For basic, day to day communication such as notes home or newsletters, please use Tools→Translate Feature in Google Docs or an app like Talking Points/Remind.

Interpreter (Spoken) Requests:

We understand that there are urgent situations at times, however, for scheduled conferences please submit requests at least 7 days prior to the scheduled conference. Contact TSC Bilingual Liaisons Monica Gallardo mrgallardo@tsc.k12.in.us for TSC N schools or Hilda Lopez hylopez@tsc.k12.in.us for TSC S schools

Survival Communication with Students and Families

Google Translate App

You can download the Google Translate app in order to do basic communication with families or students. Some languages are offered with verbal translation features.  Please click on the following link in order to receive usage directions by device.  Google Translate App Directions by Device

Tools for Communicating with Parents

Class Dojo

ClassDojo is a communication tool with families about students’ readiness to learn, school moments and upcoming events. Through ClassDojo, parents can use any iOS device, Android device, Kindle Fire, or computer to connect and stay updated in their preferred language. Parents can also read all Class Story posts in their preferred language instantly. See all they ways parents can use ClassDojo: ClassDojo Parent FAQs 

See more information and how to sign up here: ClassDojo

Remind 

Remind allows teachers to communicate with parents frequently through group, or individual text messages. Teacher can send a message in English, but the families receive the message in their native language. Families can then respond to teacher in their native language and the teacher receives that same message in English. Families do not receive the teacher’s personal cell number. All communication takes place through the app. Additional items teachers can send through Remind are PDFs, voice clips, photos, and more.  A bonus feature is that the teacher can type the information in English, and Remind101 has the capabilities of translating teacher messages into 70 languages.

To get more information, or to sign-up, please go to: www.remind.com or Using the Translate Feature in Remind.

Talking Points

TalkingPoints is very similar to Remind. Parents only need a mobile phone, not a smart phone in order to use this tool. Teachers can send a message in English, but the family receives the message in their native language.  Families can then respond to the teacher in their native language and the teacher receives that same message in English. Families do not receive the teacher’s personal cell number. All communication takes place through the app. There are 20 languages to utilize for families. Teachers can send invite letters for parents to join. To sign up, please visit www.talkingpts.org.

Translation/Text To Speech Tools for Students

Tips for using translator tools: Be sure to use simple, concise sentences when using any translation tool. Be sure to avoid slang and idiomatic language. The simpler the language, the higher the accuracy (for example, use He is late to school each day instead of He is always running late everyday).

Text to Speech:

 Go to www.google.com. Search “Chrome Web Extensions.”

Type in search bar: “Text to Speech.” Select “Talkie” or  “Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader by clicking “add to Chrome.” (See screenshot below), Or “Read&Write.” See next page for additional options.