Welcome Back | August 20, 2023
District Tech Coaches:
Erin Fulton (K-5)
Alex Oris (6-12)
In this Issue:Â
ProgessBookÂ
Google Classroom
ParentSquare
Lightspeed Classroom
Navigate360
What is the Tech Coaches Newsletter?
The District Technology Coaches are here to help you with infusing technology to enhance your instruction and to provide professional development. Instead of sending out important information in multiple emails in the span of a week or two, we are going to consolidate those into a newsletter. In each of them, you will find important dates, technology tips, professional development opportunities, testing reminders, resources, and more. Please take a moment to read through each of these so you don’t miss anything important, and as always, if you have any questions or need any help, please let us know or schedule a meeting with your tech coach.Â
Start of the Year
ProgressBook Setup
Version 23 of ProgressBook was released over the summer, with a few minor updates. Here is how the menu changed and here is a quick video overview.
Annually teachers must update/set their GradeBook. Below are instructions to help you complete the GB setup:
Edit Class List
Class Roster Report
Create Class Information Page
Create Seating Chart
Setup Assignment Types
Share GradeBook Access
GradeBook Know-How tips and additional resources can be found at https://neonet.org/gradebook/. Â
Google Classroom
The beginning of the school year always brings about new challenges, but Google Classroom doesn’t need to be one of them. Easily create new classes, or make a copy of last year’s class and start with all of your old posts in draft format. Either way, share a join link or code with your new students, and hit the ground running. For more helpful information, visit our Google Classroom section on TigerOne.Â
New Platforms
ParentSquare - Communication Tool
In an effort to streamline communications between staff and families, we have adopted ParentSquare as our unified communication platform. It offers a whole host of tools that allows district, school administrators, and teachers to more effectively communicate and engage with families and students. Some features include: Mass notifications and Urgent Alerts with two-way communication, Mobile application for administrators and parents (iOS and Android), Attendance notifications, Teacher and classroom communication, Direct Messaging with two-way translation, Appointment Sign Ups (parent-teacher conferences), Volunteering and classroom supply sign-ups, Newsletter templates (like this one!), and more. Visit our ParentSquare Resource to find FAQ and tutorials, and visit their training resources to learn more.Â
Lightspeed Classroom - GoGuardian Replacement
When our district replaced Securly with Lightspeed as our content filter over the summer, they chose to go with their Classroom Management tool that gives teachers powerful insight and control into what is happening on their students' devices. You can view student screens, share content, and manage web access. Log in at https://login.lightspeedsystems.app/ with your Google account, and check out this page for more information or visit their resources on their Teacher Training page.Â
Navigate360 - Emergency Management Suite
For years, the High School has been using Navigate to streamline communication for place and secures, lockdowns, evacuations, and drills. Because of its effectiveness and importance, all buildings will begin using Navigate360 this school year. Here is a resource that can help get you started.Â
Celebrate Success
Announcements and Shoutouts
In this section we will be highlighting some great things going on in our district and to recognize teachers doing extraordinary things. It is also to share innovative instructional ideas that are being implemented successfully in our district.
In this first issue, we would like to recognize and thank Catherine Nicholson and Ron Winkler for their work in the district in the area of technology integration. They have been instrumental in teaching and supporting staff and students. We appreciate all of the work that they did and all that they taught us, and hope they have a great year in their new positions. Thank you Catherine and Ron!