Student Support

Students of Mauston School District all have Gmail accounts. Yes, even the kindergarten students have a Gmail account! These accounts are managed and monitored by school district employees who work in the Technology Department.

When you learn in the cloud, you will need to check your District Gmail account every day for information from your teachers and other adults about coursework, lessons, and/or content. All elementary-aged students, with support from a parent or guardian, should check their District Gmail account every day, too. Gmail is going to be an important tool for getting information you need to successfully learn in the cloud. And if you need help using Gmail, Mauston School District educators can support you.

As a reminder, here is how you access your District Gmail account:

• Use CLEVER - Many learning links for students are found in CLEVER including gmail.

OR

• Type www.gmail.com in the address bar

• Type in your student email address (should be your first name.lastname@students.maustonschools.org) click next, and type in your password. This is the same information that you use to login to the Chromebooks at school.

When anyone engages online, it is essential that everyone behaves appropriately. Mauston students must follow the Responsible Use of Technology and Internet Safety that are included in the District Registration at the beginning of every school year. It is not just students who have to follow those procedures, adults do as well. As a quick reminder, when you are online, be sure to:

• Use respectful behavior and language.

• Stick to appropriate topic discussions.

• Send only appropriate video transmissions.

• Use only appropriate icon, emoji, and avatar submissions.

• Wear school appropriate clothing if you are attending meetings in video.

• Be honest and do not plagiarize or copy other's work - in other words, use academic integrity.

• Do not falsify information about yourself or impersonate others online.

When everyone remembers to act kindly, show consideration for others, and treat one another online as you wish to be treated in person, we will all be able to focus on learning.

If you want to read through the actual policy and expectations, please refer to Mauston School Board Policy 7540.03.

Teachers will let students know how to best communicate them. They are using a variety of tools including Gmail, Seesaw, video chats, and phone calls.

Checking your District Gmail account everyday is one thing; however, following through on all that you'll need to do at home when you are engaging in e-learning is another. If you have already set yourself up with good study habits, those habits will support learning in the cloud. Here are some things to think about when you engage in e-learning:

• Have a daily routine: Stick to it. Ask your parent or another important adult to help you develop your schedule if you need assistance. Be sure your routine includes breaks, time to be active, and time to eat lunch.

• Have a learning space: Use this space when it is time to learn.

Be sure your learning space includes what you need to learn. You will need a computer, Chromebook, or other device. You will need paper, pencils, and/or pens. You may need tools to help you with math like a calculator, ruler, and possibly manipulatives like counters. You may need your textbooks, trade books, composition notebooks, worksheets or any other curriculum materials that your teacher provides.

Do not be surprised when your parent or guardian asks you to make your learning space in a shared area of your home like at the kitchen table, a large kitchen counter, or a desk in a living room or family room. The reality is that when your learning space is separate from your bedroom and distanced from the television, it triggers your brain that the space is for work and not play. You really will be more productive. Also, an e-learning space in a shared area allows the adult(s) in your home to readily support your learning while also monitoring your online activity.

Getting used to the e-learning environment and participating in virtual learning might take a little while. Some people will love it right away. Others might need some time to get used to how to participate in live video sessions or use a chat room. If you are an "early adopter," be patient and remain kind to those who will take longer to adjust to a virtual learning environment. If you are one of the people who is not as comfortable with technology or online learning as your peers, it is okay. Stay positive, be persistent.

Your teacher(s) are going to want to know whether you are learning what they intend for you to learn. So you're going to need to figure out how to share your learning with them. When you check your Gmail messages every day, you will probably find out how your teacher will want you to demonstrate your learning. Be prepared to be asked to:

• Complete a Google Quiz;

• Submit a document into your personal Google folder;

• Take a picture of your work and upload it into a Google folder or email it to your teacher;

• Record a video that shows how you are able to do something;

• Email a message summarizing your learning;

• Engage in a Chat session; or

• Engage in an online video "Office Hour".

There might be other ways your teacher(s) will want to check on your progress. If you have an idea, let them know!