MCPS IT Wire
Technology Team
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Embedded Files
August 2023
In this edition...
In this edition...
REMIND
REMIND
Remind is a communication tool that was piloted in MCPS schools last year. Remind is now available for all MCPS staff to use.
Schools who have not scheduled a Remind training for their staff should have the principal or designee complete this Google form (one response per school) to schedule a date/time for training.
Staff who would like to begin using Remind 101 earlier than their school's selected training date have the opportunity to participate in voluntary training before the designated school training date. Three courses are listed in PDO and are open for registration:
Course 91872 - Remind: A Communication Tool for Teachers
Course 91886 - Remind: A Communication Tool for School Administrators
Course 91887 - Remind: A Communication Tool for Central Office Administrator
Boxlight update
Boxlight update
During the summer, Boxlight received an update that caused the Unplug’d software to be unreliable while casting. Due to this, it is now recommended that staff use the Clevershare software when casting to a Boxlight.
2022 Synergy grade book
2022 Synergy grade book
Staff currently only have access to the 2022 version of the grade book.
Staff currently only have access to the 2022 version of the grade book.
Several resources are available to learn and transition to using the 2022 Synergy Grade Book including an online self-paced course, shown below, recorded training, video tutorials, and support guides.
Several resources are available to learn and transition to using the 2022 Synergy Grade Book including an online self-paced course, shown below, recorded training, video tutorials, and support guides.
Online courses
Online courses
Elementary:
Elementary:
PDO Course Number: 91112
PDO Course Name: Elementary Synergy 2022 Grade Book and TeacherVUE
Secondary:
Secondary:
PDO Course Number: 91114
PDO Course Name: Secondary Synergy 2022 Grade Book and TeacherVUE
Resources
Resources
Elementary:
Elementary:
Passcode: ES-2022GB&TVUE
Secondary:
Secondary:
Student passwords
Student passwords
Student password reports will be updated and available beginning August 22, 2023.
Students in Grades 3-12 are responsible for their own passwords. While students can change their passwords as often as they like, the maximum age of a student password, according to MCPS policy, is 365 days.
Students will receive password reset reminders at 30, 15, 10, and 5 to 0 days prior to an expiration. If a student fails to change their password by the 365th day, password change will be forced and a new password generated.
Students in pre K - 2nd grade had their passwords reset on August 21, 2023.
The MCPS Student Password Manager (SPM) application, allows students to change their passwords from within an MCPS building or from home. When the SPM application is used to update a student password, the password report is also updated with the new password.
The SPM application can also be used by teachers to update a student password, should the student need assistance.
Go Guardian
Go Guardian
GoGuardian is available for teachers to use to monitor their student’s online activity.
Teachers will log into GoGuardian using the Clever option and Paraeducators should use the Google login option.
Teachers have the option to use preloaded GoGuardian classes loaded from Synergy or manually create their classes either by sharing a class code with students or by uploading a spreadsheet with student IDs.
In order for paraeducators to be included with teachers’ classes in GoGuardian they will need to be added as additional staff to teachers’ sections in Synergy. Please reach out to your school’s Master Scheduler or Scheduling team to have staff added as additional staff.
GoGuardian Self-Paced Course - PDO Course #90538
Who is my technology implementation specialist?
Who is my technology implementation specialist?
Your Technology Implementation Specialist can help support the use of instructional technology at your school. Ways your TIS can support your staff include:
Working with teachers/teams to plan and implement instructional technology that supports teaching and learning.
Support system initiatives such as Synergy, Remind, etc.
Planning with the SDT and school leadership to develop a technology support and training plan for your staff.
Supporting parents through workshops and PTA meetings
View the TIS assignments here.
New MCPS Administrative Site!
New MCPS Administrative Site!
MCPS decommissioned the myMCPS SharePoint platform on Monday, July 10, 2023. Many myMCPS SharePoint modules were phased out or migrated into Synergy. The new MCPS Administrative Site houses the new Admin Handbook, Business Center, Memo Library, and so much more! Check it out!
New MCPS Business Center
New MCPS Business Center
The new MCPS Business Center (Google site) launched on April 11, 2023.
For details about the new site, please refer to the New MCPS Business Center introduction flyer (PDF).
MCPS Memoranda Library
MCPS Memoranda Library
The new MCPS Memoranda Library launched on July 6, 2023.
Users will continue to receive the Weekly Principals Memoranda e-mails per the distribution calendar.
Links to the new MCPS Memo Library will be included in each weekly e-mail and in the Clever Portal.
If non-MCPS staff in schools need the memo information, the principals may print a hard copy or send the document via email.
Compliance Reports
Compliance Reports
Compliance report links will be in your browser’s MCPS Resources bookmark folder and in Synergy SIS and MCPS Business Center.
Performance Center Reports
Performance Center Reports
Reports were migrated into Synergy SIS; please refer to the Performance Center Reference Guide for details.
synergy updates
synergy updates
Report updates:
Report updates:
U-GRD703 CCR Summary - Updated: This report provides Blueprint CCR status for high school students. MCAP results from 2022-2023 are reflected in the student list report.
HS Student Grades and Graduation Credit Report (SGGCR) and Transcript Timeline:
HS Student Grades and Graduation Credit Report (SGGCR) and Transcript Timeline:
Updated SGGCRs for Grades 10 to 12 students will be available under Synergy documents on September 8, 2023. SGGCR will reflect data as of September 5, 2023.
Summer Graduates transcripts will be available on the school file server by September 8, 2023. Transcripts will reflect data as of September 5,2023.
Schedule Release on ParentVUE/StudentVUE:
Schedule Release on ParentVUE/StudentVUE:
The release of schedule information to parents and students is scheduled for August 23, 2023. Schools also have the ability to manage their own data using the information provided here.
Shared Drives for schools
Shared Drives for schools
Google Shared Drives have been created for all schools.
Google Shared Drives have been created for all schools.
When MCPS first introduced Google Workspace, a shared folder was created for each school and shared with the XXXstaff group where XXX is the school code. While helpful, the content within these folders may have varied sharing permissions and issues arise when staff resign, retire, or change schools/locations; many of these issues can be resolved through the use of a shared drive rather than a shared folder.
Here are some important considerations about the school shared drives that are available for schools to use:
Here are some important considerations about the school shared drives that are available for schools to use:
The share will appear in the staff's list of Shared drives.
The naming convention for the share will be as follows: XXX-Staff Shared (School Name)
Members of the “XXXstaff” group will be assigned the “Contributor” role granting them the ability to add, edit, and delete content from the shared drive.
The “XXXstaff” group membership updates dynamically based on staff’s assigned reporting location.
Once content is created in or moved to the shared drive, the content is owned by the shared drive. This ensures content is memorialized even when staff are no longer with the school.
Moving content into the shared drive may impact the sharing permissions. Please take this into consideration when migrating content to the shared drive.
For data security and privacy purposes, two folders have been added for sharing content with students and the public:
XXX-Public Shared:
To share content publicly, move the file into the XXX-Public shared folder within the shared drive.
The folder is shared publicly so anyone with the link will be able to view the resources within that folder.
XXX-Student Shared:
To share content that needs to be accessible to students in addition to staff, move the file into the XXX-Student shared folder.
The folder is shared with the “XXXstudents” group as “can view” for each school.
How do I access my school’s legacy staff shared folder?
Please refer to this spreadsheet which includes links to each school’s legacy staff shared folder: Staff Shared Links. Please note that these folders will eventually be phased out as schools transition to using the school’s shared drive.
How do I move files into my school’s new shared drive?
To move files into the shared drive:
Option 1: Drag and Drop → Select the file from your My Drive. Click and drag the item to your school’s shared drive. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the process. Option 2: Move to → Right-click the item you want to move. Click Move to. Navigate to the shared drive. Click Move.
NEW for schoolcash online
NEW for schoolcash online
PINS are no longer required for registration and adding students to parent accounts. We have rolled out a new feature in SchoolCash Online that will make it easier for parents to attach their children in their account profiles. This feature also delivers increased convenience for parents/guardians and greater control for the primary guardian to manage access to accounts.
Please look for more information via email from the Claudette Eader, Office of Finance.
environmental services
environmental services
All facility and school environmental reports and management plan documents were migrated to DocuWare this past June 2023. These documents are for authorized staff use only within the MCPS network. For instructions on how to access these documents, please use the following link: DocuWare Enviro Svcs User Guide. For additional information, contact the Office of Sustainability and Compliance at Sustainability@mcpsmd.org.
MCPS District digital tools
MCPS District digital tools
This school year, we have made some changes to the technology applications that are funded centrally.
Below, please find details about some of the changes.
Applications that are available for all staff and students:
Nearpod
Kami
Zoom (Zoom webinar rooms are no longer assigned to each school. Schools must request use of a webinar room via Help Desk).
GoGuardian
Canvas
Remind 101 (this is new this year)
Applications no longer funded centrally:
Pear Deck
As you select instructional technologies to use with students as part of teaching and learning, it is important to follow student data privacy protocols.
School Purchases &
School Purchases &
Data Integration
Data Integration
Schools may choose to purchase online digital tools beyond those applications procured centrally. While schools have the flexibility to leverage additional technology resources, those applications cannot be integrated centrally with MCPS systems such as Synergy, Clever, and Canvas for data privacy and security purposes. Schools are expected to work directly with the vendor to determine how best to implement the technology without centralized provisioning or support. Additionally, staff should be reminded of their legal obligation under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to obtain affirmative parental consent prior to inputting or uploading student data to the platform.
Prior to purchasing an online tool, consider contacting your school’s assigned Technology Implementation Specialist to learn more about technology resources already approved and available for use.
ServiceNow Guide for Staff
ServiceNow Guide for Staff
As a reminder, staff are able to submit their own ticket via the ServiceNow Portal (staff guide). In addition, once your ticket has been created, you can login to the portal to check the status of it. As always, if you would like to call the Help Desk, you can do so at 301-517-5800 or send an email to help_desk@mcpsmd.org.
You can view past issues of the MCPS IT Wire here.
Articles and Resources
EdTech Magazine: What Are KOSA and COPPA and How Do They Impact K–12 Education?
Forthcoming legislation on online safety for minors may drive changes in how schools handle student data.
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