Parent Digital Toolkit

You can find the answers to many technology-related questions here. If you have a specific assignment-related technology question, it's best to ask your child's teacher first. For general questions not appearing here, please email us and we can include our response on this page for others who may also be interested in the answer to your question.

moniquecote@acushnetschools.us jeannedowney@acushnetschools.us

Chromebook Initiative

The Chromebook Initiative & Agreement explains Parent/Guardian Responsibilities, Accepting Liability, Monitoring Student Use, Chromebook Guidelines, Progressive Discipline, Damaged, Lost or Stolen Chromebooks, and Chromebook End of Year Return.

Digital Learning Support Tools

Digital Learning Support Tools are software or equipment that is used to increase or improve the functional capabilities of students. There are many tools or extensions that can help your student access technology and the curriculum.

ASPEN

Google Classroom

Steps for Success

ASPEN

ASPEN is the Student Information System (SIS) that merges many databases, such as schedules, records, attendance and report cards to name a few, into one comprehensive school management system. From the parent-user side, ASPEN is the program you can use to check if your student has missing assignments and to monitor your student's grades throughout each term. back to top

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a free web-based virtual classroom tool that is part of G Suite for Education along with Chrome, Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Forms, Sheets, Slides, Meet and You Tube. Google Classroom is used in traditional face-to-face classrooms, and easily adapts to both hybrid and remote learning scenarios. Google Classroom streamlines creating, posting, completing, turning in and grading assignments. This tool also supports student comments and teacher feedback, as well as collaboration through shared documents and video-conferencing. Classroom simplifies sharing electronic files between students and teachers regardless of place or time. back to top

Steps for Success

for Parents and Students

Below are some ways you can support your student at home during remote learning times. Most students benefit from adult help to create a schedule and a realistic work environment free from distractions. They also need help to establish the boundaries between work time and break time. Establishing separate areas for each clarifies the differences between them. A kitchen timer can help set limits on each as well.

Familiarize yourself with

the Student Handbook (AES FMS)
the Acceptable Use Policy (AES pages 57-60 FMS pages 72-74)
the student-friendly Responsible User Guidelines (AES FMS)
the Meet/Zoom Video Conferencing Guidelines (AES FMS)
the Chromebook Initiative (AES FMS)
the Chromebook Orientation (AES FMS)

Reach out to teachers. Let them know what's going well and where you need more support. Don't wait until report card time to have these conversations.
Create a remote learning schedule.
1. School day video conferences
2. After school homework time
Create a work area free of distractions.
1. Focus and work in the Work Area.
2. Take breaks somewhere else.
Build in break time.
1. When there's a break between video-conference classes, leave the work area and the work behind.
2. Set a fixed amount of time for each break and be faithful to it.
3. Get some exercise away from a screen.
4. Break for lunch. Refuel.
Do homework at the same time normally done for in-person learning.
Check progress in ASPEN and the Google Classrooms regularly. back to top

Some students have difficulty getting started with a task; some have difficulty staying on task; others have difficulty completing a task. Do you recognize any of these as obstacles for your student?

Frequent check-ins can help students overcome these challenges.

Examples of check-ins:

Can you explain to me what you have to do for this assignment?
What is the first step?
What materials or resources do you need?
Do you have them?
Show me what you have done so far.
What will you do next?
Let's finish _______ before your next break in ______ minutes.
Let me proofread that for you.
Let's create a list and cross off each task you complete.

Don't over-rely on self-reporting. If you check-in by simply asking, "How's it going?" students will generally tell you everything is fine because they expect that's what you want to hear. Ask them instead to show/explain what they are working on. You will get a clearer picture of reality, and the student will gain a better understanding of their task simply by having to process it in their own words and explain it to you. back to top

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