As the 24-25 school year comes to a close, here are some things for your digital shutdown.Β
Archive your Google Classrooms
Even if you didn't use the Classroom that was created for you, please archive it. This not only keeps your list cleaned up, but it also cleans up the classroom list for students. Don't want to lose what you have in the class? Simply make a copy before you archive it. You can still access archived classrooms later.Β
Turn off your saved schedules in Securly Classroom
Class schedules run indefinitely and can cause issues in later years/semesters if not turned off.
Tidy up your Chromebook Download folder
Spend some time deleting files that you no longer need, and moving any important files into Google Drive.
Tidy up your Outlook
Your future self will love starting the year with a cleaned-up inbox and a low unread email count.Β
Secure Your Chromebook
If you don't use your district Chromebook over the summer, make sure to power it down and store it in a secure, locked location.
If you are planning to leave the district at the end of this school year, you will want to start preparing your digital world for that transition. Please review our handy support page to help you get started. We often get questions about this towards the end of June and want to make sure you have plenty of time to prepare. Whatever your next adventure, we wish you the best!
If you get a new phone over summer break, you will need to get Duo set up on your new device before you can access email or Google Drive.
Please contact the Helpdesk: helpdesk@auburn.wednet.edu
There are a number of instructional technology sessions available in the Spring Training Series, which runs until July 6th:
Clever
Teacher Pages
Creator(s)- Gavin Lees
Target Audience: PK-12 Certificated
Session Description: Want to get more out of the Clever homepage?Β Learn how to create your own teacher page full of custom links for your students.
1 hour Asynchronous session
SchoolAI Certified Educator
Creator(s)- Rena Clark
Target Audience: PK-12 Certificated
Session Description: Explore how AI can enhance teaching and learning through this self-paced certification experience. Participants will complete both the Level 1 and Level 2 SchoolAI Certified Educator Trainings, gaining practical skills to integrate SchoolAI tools into instruction, streamline workflow, and support student learning. This course is ideal for educators ready to innovate, reflect on ethical AI use, and elevate classroom engagement. Participants must complete both certifications to receive course credit and clock hours.
2 hour Asynchronous session
Making Videos with Google ScreencastΒ
Creator(s)- Rena Clark
Target Audience: PK-12 Certificated
Session Description: Explore the power of Google Screencast at your own pace in this asynchronous training session. Learn how to create dynamic instructional videos, provide personalized feedback, and support differentiated learning using this versatile tool. Through a curated collection of videos, guides, and resources, you'll discover how to record, annotate, edit, and share screencasts to enhance teaching and learning.Β
3 hour Asynchronous session
Podcast PD: Listen, Reflect, & GrowΒ
Creator(s)- Rena Clark
Target Audience: PK-12 Certificated
Session Description: Join us for Podcast PD: Listen, Reflect, & Grow, a flexible professional learning experience designed for busy educators. Each week from May 23 to June 20, you'll listen to a thought-provoking episode of the Unpacking Education podcast, reflect on the key ideas, and engage in an online discussion with peers.
This four-week series includes:
4 podcasts
4 reflections/discussions
6 clock hours total (1.5 hours per week)
Topics will vary each week but will center around relevant issues in education, from instructional practices and educational equity to technology integration and student engagement. Learn on your own schedule and grow your practice through shared insights and reflection.
6 hour Asynchronous session
Creator(s)- Alejandra Soria,Β
Ann Goodwin
PK-12 Certificated/Classified
Session Description: In this training, participants will explore the various considerations for using translation tools to support ML learners, learn appropriate and effective strategies for using translation, and identify avenues of support for creating accessible instruction for them.Β
2 hour Asynchronous session
Equity Qualified Session
Creator(s)-Β Mike Signal
Target Audience:Β Certificated
Session Description: Securly Classroom helps teachers manage, monitor, and guide students as they work online. This session teaches Securly Classroom basics and gives tips on how to use the tool with students. It is appropriate for Securly Classroom beginners, but there are some newer functions and features that even more experienced users can learn.Β Β
1-hour Asynchronous session
My Chromebook can do that?
Creator(s)- Alejandra Soria
Target Audience: PK-12 Certificated
Session Description: In this session, you'll familiarize yourself with some of the features of the teacher Chromebook. You'll learn some tips and tricks to streamline your use! Β
1 hour Asynchronous session
Catching Up With Google ClassroomΒ
Creator(s)- Ann Goodwin
Target Audience: PK-12 Certificated
Session Description: Google Classroom has received many updates in the last year. Whether you are new to Classroom or hoping to explore what's new, this session is for you. You are welcome to redo this session if you would like more time to explore additional options or go deeper with ones you didn't have enough time for in the fall.
1 hour Asynchronous session
Creator(s)-Β Ann GoodwinΒ
Target Audience:Β Β
K-2 Certificated
Session Description: As we are teaching science, we want to make sure we give kids multiple ways to express their learning. Using Seesaw, we are able to move beyond a writing-only approach to gain insights into student learning. This session will provide you an opportunity to explore the Seesaw versions of the science logbooks and plan for how you can use them with your students to increase access to learning and engagement. Β Β Β Β Β Β
1 hour asynchronous session
Creator(s)-Β Ann GoodwinΒ
Target Audience:Β Β
PK-5 Certificated
Session Description: We understand that it is important to help our students to be safe and responsible online, but what are we doing to ensure they are learning these essential skills? In this session, you will have some dedicated time to explore your building's Digital Citizenship plan, consider what you are already doing, and have time to plan for additional learning for your students.Β Β Β Β Β Β
1 hour asynchronous session
Technology Tools for Inclusive Learning
Creator(s) - Rena ClarkΒ
Target Audience: 6-8 Certificated
This session will help secondary educators move from overload to intentional integration by showcasing how Auburn's highest-leverage technology tools can support inclusive learning. Participants will explore strategies to provide multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression, ensuring all students can access and demonstrate learning meaningfully.
3 hour asynchronous session
AI Proofing Your Instruction 2.0
Creator(s)- Rena Clark
Target Audience:
Certificated
Session Description: In this asynchronous session, explore Auburn's AI use guidelines and discover strategies for designing lessons that thrive in a world where AI is accessible to every student. Learn how to revise one lesson plan to minimize AI use and another to integrate AI responsibly, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and engagement. Gain practical tools to align your instruction with best practices, ensuring it remains effective, innovative, and relevant.
3 hour Asynchronous session
Over the summer, Seesaw will be getting a new layout for users. It is quite different from the current layout, but it is a bit easier to find what you are looking for. If you would like to experience the new layout earlier, you can toggle it on now in your account settings. Check out Seesaw's support article to find out more.Β
Studio Editor now supports real-time collaboration. Multiple users can co-author content and make updates to studio editor posts simultaneously. Learn how to use this exciting new feature in this ParentSquare help article.
Wrap up the year with purpose and get a head start on next year! As we head into the final stretch, consider using one of our ready-to-go digital citizenship lessons linked below to spark meaningful reflection and dialogue with students. These lessons are designed to fit into middle school designated time and high school advisory periods, helping students end the year thinking critically about their tech use, online presence, and digital well-being.
π Looking Ahead to Fall 2025
Want to start the year with strong digital expectations and media literacy routines? Plan now by:
Bookmarking lesson links
Embedding a digital citizenship topic into your first designated time/advisory/class community circle
Reintroducing phone expectations, media balance, and AI usage norms from Day 1
If you are not using your email or Google Drive over summer, you should not receive any pushes from Duo. Remember that Duo will only ask you to confirm your identity if you are trying to log into a district service. You should only hit the Approve button if you are certain that it is needed.
Sometimes, bad actors will deliberately try to access your accounts multiple times to spam you with notifications.Β This can lead to MFA Fatigue where the user finally approves access to stop the annoyance.Β If this happens to you, please disable your notifications until you return to work.
If you accidentally approve Duo when not trying to log in, please contact the Helpdesk.
In an effort to improve system performance and reliability, Skyward is released new functionality on June 3 that will automatically detect and disable underperforming dashboard items. Users who have two consecutive long load times may see dasboard tiles or widgets paused. With five or more consecutive long load times the item will be deactivated. Users can usually resolve these issues themselves by resetting the widget to it's default state. For live tiles, the filter may need to be adjusted and the tile recreated. For help with any paused or deactivated dashboard items, contact the Helpdesk or submit a support ticket.
Shout out to Janice Bigby from Auburn High School, who was named SchoolAI Washington Teacher of the Year.
Janice has presented at Tech Connect on AI applications for the last two years, and this year was one of our AI Innovators who developed resources for Auburn teachers.
Congratulations!Β
And finally, a fond farewell to our DOT Tech Coaches who will be embarking on new adventures next year:
Ann Goodwin will be joining the team at Sphero to support schools with STEM initiatives.
Rena Clark will be returning to the classroom teaching STEM at Glacier Middle School in the White River School District.
Mike Signal will be teaching fifth grade at Chinook Elementary
Alejandra Soria-King will be joining Mount Baker MS as a Science teacher (when she returns from maternity leave in the autumn)
This team has provided an incredible amount of support to our teachers, students, and admins over the years. We are so thankful for everything that they have done and will miss them immensely.