Newsletter Archive – Page 5

[How-To] Connect to the P-CCS Wi-Fi Network

For STAFF

If you have a personal device and would like to connect it to a district wireless network, please connect it to the PCCSK12-Staff network using your network account credentials. Your network account is the same one used to login to any district desktop or laptop (not Google/Chromebooks). If you do not remember your account information, please submit a tech request.

Disclaimers

District Chromebooks will automatically connect to the PCCSK12-Devices network.
Devices such as AppleTV and Chromecast will need to be authorized by the tech department first. Please fill out this form if you would like to have one connected.
Home and personal assistant devices such as Google Home/Nest (Google Assistant), Amazon Echo (Alexa), and Apple HomePod (Siri) are not allowed on the district network. Personal assistant services built into personal smartphones are unaffected.
In most areas we only offer a 5 GHz WiFi network. If your device only supports 2.4 GHz you will not be able to connect.

For STUDENTS (BYOD)

If you have a personal device and would like to connect it to a district wireless network, please connect it to the PCCSK12-Students network. When prompted for a username and password, use your network logon credentials (username without @pccsk12.com at the end) to connect. Please note that student usernames and passwords will not work on the PCCSK12-Staff network or any other network.

Disclaimers

In most areas we only offer a 5 GHz WiFi network. If your device only supports 2.4 GHz you will not be able to connect.

Please see the following device-specific guides for connecting to the network.

If you have a personal device and would like to connect it to a district wireless network, please connect it to the PCCSK12-Students network. When prompted for a username and password, use your network logon credentials (username without @pccsk12.com at the end) to connect. Please note that student usernames and passwords will not work on the PCCSK12-Staff network or any other network.

Instructions for Chrome OS (Chromebooks)

Click on your picture icon in the bottom right-hand corner

Click on your current WiFi Connection to bring up the list of available network then select PCCSK12-Students if you are a student, and PCCSK12-Staff if you are a district staff member.

Fill in the following fields as seen in the screenshot to the left. Make sure to use your username (P-CCS Google email address for students, network account for staff) in the “Identity” field

EAP Method: PEAP
Phase 2 authentication: Automatic
Server CA certificate: Do not check
Identity: (Your username)
Password: (Your Password)

Push Connect when finished

Instructions for iPadOS and iOS (iPad and iPhone)

Find the Settings App on your device and open it.

Tap on Wi-Fi, and then tap on the PCCSK12-Students if you are a student, and PCCSK12-Staff if you are a district staff member in the list of Wi-Fi networks

When prompted for a username and password, use your network logon credentials (username without @pccsk12.com at the end for students, network account for staff) to connect.

*Example:
Username: izcough872
Password: learnpow

Tap the Trust button when you see this window

You should see a check mark in the Wi-Fi list at the top that confirms you are connected.

Instructions for Android devices

Find the Settings App on your Android device then Tap on Network & Settings or on Wi-Fi. (The layout of the settings may differ with different types of Android devices)

Tap on the PCCSK12-Students if you are a student, and PCCSK12-Staff if you are a district staff member in the list of Wi-Fi networks. Use the following settings:

EAP Method: PEAP
Phase 2 authentication: None orMSCHAPV2
CA certificate: Do Not Validate or Trust on First Use
Domain: PCCSK12.com
Identity: (same as laptop login username)
Anonymous identity: leave blank
Password: (current laptop login password)

Instructions for Windows 10

Look for WiFi icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your desktop either by clicking directly on it, or looking for it with the up arrow icon.

Click WiFi Icon in system tray then click on the PCCSK12-Students if you are a student, and PCCSK12-Staff if you are a district staff member.

Click the Connect button

Fill in the following fields as seen in the screenshot to the left. Make sure to use your username (PCCS Google email address without the @pccsk12.com for students, network account for staff) in the top field and your password in the bottom field

Example Username: izcough875
Password: (Your password)
Click OK when finished

Instructions for macOS

Select the Wi-Fi Symbol in the Menu Bar.

Then choose PCCSK12-Students if you are a student, and PCCSK12-Staff if you are a district staff member.

Enter username and password, (same as your Google login without the @pccsk12.com for students, network account for staff) and select “Remember this network”

Choose the Continue button

If prompted, enter your personal Mac’s Username and Password and Select “Update Settings”

If you are prompted to update Zoom…

A new Zoom update has been recently released. For staff who might be using Zoom, especially to host meetings with students, please practice launching and hosting a Zoom meeting on your district laptop prior to video conferencing with students. If you have trouble with Zoom stating you need to update it, please do the following:

Go to the Company Portal and install Clean Zoom (This will remove all old versions of Zoom)
Wait until Clean Zoom has been installed
Go to https://zoom.us/support/download and download and install Zoom (This will install the latest version of Zoom)

Additionally, for those who don’t usually have Zoom meetings with students, that will in April, we suggest that you have students test joining your Zoom meetings prior to using them for class. Doing so will ensure that there are no issues with your Zoom meeting settings and that Zoom works correctly on student devices. Students can also test using Zoom by going to zoom.us/test.

MORE DETAILED GUIDANCE

Follow the steps below to complete the update.

Click on the Windows Start button on the bottom left of your taskbar
In the search bar, search for Company Portal and open it
1. When the Portal opens, search for Clean Zoom and install it; wait for it to be fully installed
2. Copy and paste http://zoom.us/support/download into your browser to download the new version of Zoom
3. The download should appear on the top right of your Chrome browser bar; click on the arrow and then click on the download
4. It should start downloading and indicate that it was updated successfully
5. You can confirm you are set by browsing to zoom.us/test.

iPads and IXL – Using the Web Version enhances student accessibility

As we continuously strive to enhance the learning experience for our students, we would like to inform you of an exciting change in the way students access IXL. We are removing the IXL app from student and teacher iPads, and here’s why we believe it’s a positive step forward.

The decision to transition from the IXL app to the web version is rooted in our commitment to providing students with the best possible learning environment. The web version offers an updated IXL dashboard, granting students easy access to starred skills, skill plans, and a seamless review of recently worked-on skills. The web version also gives students access to the games available on IXL We believe that this enhancement will empower students to navigate and engage with IXL more efficiently.

Consistency in Sign-In Process

We understand that change can sometimes raise concerns, but we want to assure you that this transition will not impact how students sign in to IXL. The familiar Clever app will remain the gateway for students to access IXL on their iPads. By tapping on IXL through Clever, students will continue to seamlessly log in and explore the enhanced features on the web version. Our goal is to emphasize that this change is about making the IXL experience even better for students. The shift to the web version is not a loss but a gain in terms of functionality and accessibility.

How to Guide Students Through the Transition

To facilitate a smooth transition, we encourage you to guide students in accessing IXL through the Clever app on their iPads, just as they always have. The new features and improvements await them on the web version, promising a more streamlined and enriching learning journey. The last day for the app to be on the iPad is Thursday February 15. By Tuesday February 20 the app will no longer be on the ipad.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our support team through a helpdesk ticket.

Canvas Module Requirements: Streamlining Learning for Educators

Canvas offers a valuable feature known as Module Requirements. Canvas Module Requirements allow teachers to set prerequisites for learning materials within a course. This means that learners must complete one step before moving on to the next. This feature is particularly beneficial in guiding students through a sequential learning journey. By structuring modules with prerequisites, educators can ensure that foundational concepts are mastered before introducing more advanced topics. In a world where remote and asynchronous learning are becoming increasingly prevalent, the ability to control the flow of information is crucial. Canvas Module Requirements provide teachers with the means to create a logical progression of content, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Did you know? Canvas requirements are used in all of our asynchronous professional development. If you click on Module in the course you are taking, you can easily see what items you have completed and pick up where you left off in a course. When you go to Module you’ll see this:

Green checkmarks indicate it is complete and the circle indicates that it still needs to be completed. Hopefully this information helps you as we enter the February PD window. If you would like more information about setting these up in your own course, check out the instructor guides linked below.

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-add-prerequisites-to-a-module/ta-p/1123

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-add-requirements-to-a-module/ta-p/1131

GIFs for Students!

Exciting news! There’s a cool new resource in town – Gif.school! 🎉 We know how students love GIFs, GIFs can add that extra flair to your lessons and assignments, and Gif.school is here to make it a breeze!

Less Searching, More Finding

Ever want students to be able to use a GIF in an assignment or exit ticket and they get lost in a sea of gifs? Gif.school keeps it simple by giving you fewer choices. No more endless scrolling – you and your students can now easily find the perfect gif without the fuss!

Safe, Secure, and Student-Friendly

Worried about inappropriate gifs? Don’t be! Gif.school is like your trustworthy classroom assistant, filtering out the stuff you wouldn’t want in your lessons. Safe search approved and ready for action!

Creativity Unleashed

Let’s face it – gifs make learning fun. Gif.school strikes the right balance of fun and security, offering relevant and exciting gifs that add that can support student engagement and joy in your classroom. Let students choose their GIF to add their voice to exit tickets, polls, assignments and more!

Ready to dive in? Head over to Gif.school and let the gif magic begin.

New Ways to Use the Address Bar to increase your Productivity!

If you’ve ever found yourself lost in a sea of open tabs or struggled to locate a bookmark buried in folders, Google Chrome’s latest update is here to rescue you. The Chrome address bar on desktop has received a significant upgrade, empowering users to search through tabs, bookmarks, and history directly from the address bar.

@Tabs: Taming the Tab Chaos

For those moments when your tab count resembles an explosion, the new @tabs shortcut becomes your trusty companion. Simply type “@tabs” in the address bar, hit the “search tabs” button, and start typing the title. Watch as Chrome intelligently sifts through your tabs, presenting matching suggestions. Whether you’re planning a trip with numerous tabs about flights, hotels, activities, and rental cars, or you’re managing work projects, @tabs, coupled with tab groups, simplifies the process and helps you stay organized.

@Bookmarks: Navigating Your Bookmarked Universe

If you’ve bookmarked a crucial webpage months ago and now need quick access, the @bookmarks shortcut is your solution. By typing “@bookmarks” in the address bar, you can efficiently locate the bookmark you’re looking for, even among folders of bookmarks. Whether it’s checking the availability of a hotel or revisiting a bookmarked article, @bookmarks streamlines your browsing experience.

@History: Revisiting the Past

Sometimes, the information you seek might not be bookmarked, but fear not. The @history shortcut allows you to search through your browsing history directly from the address bar. Whether you need to find an old website for hiking trails or revisit a page you stumbled upon, @history comes to your rescue.

In the address bar, simply type the desired shortcut, enter the relevant details, and witness the suggestions appear directly, making your browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable.

The Chrome address bar – now referred to as the OMNIBOX – is no longer just a URL input – it’s your gateway to a more organized and accessible browsing experience. Try out these shortcuts today and take control of your tabs, bookmarks, and history like never before.

Happy browsing!

Grading Periods for New Term

Secondary teachers are approaching the end of a new term (semester 1/quarter 2). Here’s what you need to be aware of in Canvas.

Teachers will have access to make edits, give feedback, and grade assignments in Canvas for 1st Semester until 11:59 pm on January 31, 2023. After that date, the grades will not be editable, you’ll need to follow your building’s process for updating a grade on record. Please note change due to snow days.
Students will continue to have access to submit assignments with due dates in the first semester UNLESS YOU HAVE AN AVAILABLE UNTIL DATE OF JAN. 30 (11:50 pm) OR EARLIER. You can edit those dates in bulk by following the steps here. If you have a year-long course, please look over your assignments and consider what you want to remain available.

Semester 2 is set to “open” on January 30, please make sure any semester courses are published by then. You can filter your grade book to view assignments with due dates in the Semester 2 grading period by following the steps here.

If you have questions, please submit a tech ticket.

Canvas

The First Five

Looking for more ways to connect with students? In need of something to help during transitions? You might consider subscribing to The First Five from EdTomorrow. It provides free daily resources from funny memes to how are are feeling scales. The ideas arrive in your inbox at 7am each morning. They have a PK-5 and a 6-12 edition. Check out today’s selection of activities (choose one to do with your class): Today’s First Five — Edtomorrow- Supporting Today’s Educators through Restorative Practices PD

Get more information: What Is The First Five? — Edtomorrow- Supporting Today’s Educators through Restorative Practices PD

Network Wi-Fi changes beginning February 6, 2024

In an effort to provide a more consistent and responsive network experience for staff and students, starting February 6, the current throttled PCCSK12-Guest network will be decommissioned. It will be replaced by 4 new networks: PCCSK12-Visitor, PCCSK12-Guest-BOE, PCCSK12-Guest-ESC, and an unthrottled PCCSK12-Guest network. The availability of these networks will vary by time, day, and location.

PCCSK12-Visitor will be available for legitimate visitors in school buildings weekdays, between 7 am and 2:30 pm. Account passwords for this network will be changed daily and will be made available to each building’s front office staff through the same method used to share daily sub account information.
Unthrottled PCCSK12-Guest will be available for guests in school buildings weekdays, after 2:30 pm and until 7 am the following day, as well as all day on weekends. No credentials will be required; only acceptance of the acceptable use policy.
PCCSK12-Guest-BOE will be available 24/7 for guests at the E. J. McCLendon Center. No credentials will be required; only acceptance of the acceptable use policy.
PCCSK12-Guest-ESC will be available 24/7 for guests at the Educational Support Center. No credentials will be required; only acceptance of the acceptable use policy.

Students and staff who have hitherto used the PCCSK12-Guest network for personal devices will need to join their respective PCCSK12-Student or PCCSK12-Staff network prior to February 6 to avoid interrupted access. In January, everyone is strongly encouraged to check their personal devices to confirm they are connected to the appropriate network and make adjustments as needed. If students have trouble adding their personal devices to the PCCSK12-Students network, please ask them to contact their school’s technology support team. If staff have trouble adding their personal devices to the PCCSK12-Staff network, please ask them to submit a service ticket.

Please also note, concurrently connected personal devices’ policy change for the PCCSK12-Staff and PCCSK12-Student network is in process:

We are migrating to a network policy where concurrently connected devices using the same network credentials at physically different building locations (for example, PCEP and an elementary or middle school) will trigger curtailed access, due to security concerns. In other words, if someone else is using your district credentials on their device to connect to our network and they are in a different building, your network account will be disabled from continuing to connect personal devices to our network. As a reminder, please only use your credentials on your very own personal devices. Credentials should never be shared. Students with personal devices should never be connected to the PCCSK12-Staff network; if they want to have their personal device on our network, they should connect it to the PCCSK12-Student network. Conversely, staff should not be connecting to the PCCSK12-Student network.

We will also be monitoring how many devices in the same building are concurrently connected to our network using the same network credentials. Presently we reason there should be no more than three (3) concurrent connections in the same building, presuming a staffer may have as many as three devices (eg a watch, a cell phone and a personal computer), all of which they hope to connect to our network. Having more than three devices connected in the same building location may trigger curtailed access, following our review of the use case.

MISTAR-Q: Monarch Registration – Jan 22

Registration is open for Monarch: Jan 22 through May 13, 2024

Teachers are invited to transform their use of MISTAR by participating in Monarch, an asynchronous free online learning experience. Monarch is especially beneficial for teachers new to MISTAR.

Complete activities designed to increase your skill and knowledge of MISTAR teacher apps including Class Attendance, Grade Book, Seating Chart, generating reports, and more.

Working online at your pace, you will progress through four levels of activities. SCECHs are available: complete levels 1-2 to earn 7 hours, levels 1-3 to earn 11 hours, or levels 1-4 to earn 13 hours.

This course is free. Please register only if you fully intend to participate as there is high demand for this course.

Register here – After registering, watch for emails with details on how to get started.