eSchool Access

If you come across a blocked screen when trying to access eSchool's TAC or Admin login, delete any bookmarks that you have created and use the icon with the lock from the Portal or WorkVivo. All users must now use the secure link to access eSchool. 

We’ve asked for the reverification period to be extended. If they can approve it, they will. Because the information is highly confidential, you will still be required to verify more often than you do for email or Google. 

MFA Check

Before leaving for Winter break, please check MFA set-up for Microsoft AND Google. Make sure your phone number AND at least 1 additional method of authentication are set up before walking out the door Friday!

• Microsoft: How to Configure Multi-Factor Authentication for Office 365 

• Google: Google Security

You'll be glad you did!

Stop Paying for Canva!

If you pay for Canva to use for FISD creations, STOP! We receive Canva Pro for Educators for FREE! 

Canva for Education Pricing <-- See, FREE

When you leave FISD, you can resume paying for it.

Last Canvas Reminder of 2025

If you haven't addressed the Canvas semester switch, I'll be at CHS on Thursday and Friday this week or you can sign up for the "Canvas Semester Switch" session on January 5th. Don't wait until students show up on Tue, Jan 6th and can't access what they need! I'll be at CTE Center that day. 

• Canvas High School Semester Switch

• Canvas Q3 & Q4 Lesson Plan Pages

New: Canvas Portfolios

Canvas has added a Portfolio feature with 2 types of Portfolios!

Showcase Portfolios help learners tell their own stories and highlight growth beyond the classroom.

• Enable learners to build personalized portfolios organized by theme, experience, or timeline.

• Support multiple evidence types, including Canvas submissions, media uploads, and reflections.

• Let learners use tags to emphasize competencies and themes, aligning their work with personal or professional goals.

• Offer export options as PDF or HTML, and allow bulk downloading of uploaded portfolio files.

• Facilitate external sharing through public links or direct publishing to LinkedIn.

• How do I use Portfolios as a student? 

Evaluation Portfolios allow instructors to support structured assessment and track learner progress over time.

• Portfolios can be generated using one or more Canvas courses as their foundation, with links to key assignments and competencies.

• Educators can establish evidence requirements to align expectations and support consistent demonstration of competencies.

• Align portfolio evidence with institutional competencies to help learners demonstrate specific skills and knowledge.

• Monitor progress with real-time visibility into submission status and portfolio completion.

• Streamline grading by using portfolio tasks with Canvas assignments and SpeedGrader.

• Review learner reflections and narratives to better understand learning and growth.

• Support feedback and iteration with options for revisions and resubmissions.

• How do I create Portfolios as an instructor?

If you are interested in exploring these new Canvas Portfolio options, reach out!

Professional Learning: Ditch Summit

Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit (AKS Ditch Summit) includes video presentations from awesome presenters on topics related to tech and solid teaching and learning. This year, it’s scheduled for December 15, 2025, to January 11, 2026. Get registered for free at: DitchSummit.com.

HOW IT WORKS: New presentations are released every day. They remain available until the end of the summit so you can re-watch or catch up on any you’ve missed. They’re pre-recorded, so you can watch them whenever you want until the summit closes. After that, the summit ends and the videos are unavailable to watch anymore.

FREE PD HOURS: You can get FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS for watching the videos. There’s a form to fill out after each presentation, and you’ll get an automatic PD certificate emailed to you.

THIS YEAR’S SPEAKERS: Here’s the lineup for this year …

• Greg Bagby, edtech leader and consultant

• Amen Rahh, award-winning principal and CEO, Knowlej

• Dr. Janell Blunt, Ph.D., cognitive scientist and associate professor, Anderson University

• LaNesha Tabb, educator, speaker, and author: Alpert

• Allyson Apsey, prolific author, award-winning school leader

• Ken Shelton, keynote speaker, author, education strategist

• A.J. Juliani, author: The 27 Principles of Engagement

• Holly Clark, digital learning pioneer, author: The AI-Infused Classroom

• Tony Vincent, educator and founder, Learning in Hand

Sign up for the digital summit at DitchSummit.com.