MCPS
IT Wire
December 2024
Technology Team
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Embedded Files
Welcome to the MCPS IT Wire, a monthly newsletter that provides staff with important technology information and resources from the departments of Business Information Services, Digital Innovation, Infrastructure and Operations, and Student And Data Systems. The IT Wire has three sections: Professional Development, Tools & Resources, and Dates, Tips, & Reminders.
In this Issue...
MCPS Hub+ News
MCPS Hub+ News
MCPS Hub+ Website
Visit and bookmark the MCPS Hub+ Project website for an overview video, FAQs, and all the latest information.
Multi-Factor Authentication for Hub+
Multi-Factor Authentication for Hub+
To enhance security and protect sensitive information, our new Hub+ system will require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
MFA adds an extra layer of protection to ensure that only authorized users can access the system.
MFA Resources
Professional Development
Professional Development
Marking Period 2 Interims Procedures
Marking Period 2 Interims Procedures
Interims will be distributed on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Interims will be distributed on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Any changes posted by teachers after the deadline may not appear on the interim progress report.
All interim progress reports will be available to parents and students in Synergy through ParentVUE and StudentVUE. Households without any active ParentVUE account will receive interim progress reports via USPS mail.
Elementary
Secondary
Tools and Resources
Tools and Resources
ParentSquare Resources
ParentSquare Resources
Recently, school administrators were trained on a new mass communication tool called ParentSquare.
To support this new tool a website has been created for ParentSquare where school administrators can find quick guides, training presentations and tech short videos.
New Message Template Remind Feature
New Message Template Remind Feature
A new feature has become available in the Remind application for teachers to use. If there is a type of message communication you routinely send out as a class Announcement or to small groups or individuals in a Chat, you can save the message as a template. When you need to send out the same type of message again, search for the saved message template to reuse it as is, or make an edit to it when necessary, and send it out. Refer to the help article to learn how to use this new message template feature.
A new feature has become available in the Remind application for teachers to use. If there is a type of message communication you routinely send out as a class Announcement or to small groups or individuals in a Chat, you can save the message as a template. When you need to send out the same type of message again, search for the saved message template to reuse it as is, or make an edit to it when necessary, and send it out. Refer to the help article to learn how to use this new message template feature.
2024-2025 School Leadership Resources
2024-2025 School Leadership Resources
Several MCPS resources, including data reports and dashboards, were compiled by topic to assist school leadership teams as they continue to monitor 2024-2025 school year plans.
High School Graduation Validation Dashboard (HSGVD)
High School Graduation Validation Dashboard (HSGVD)
This dashboard is designed to help high school administrators and counselors to monitor individual student progress toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements. Visit soon to see the brand new enhancements made for this new school year. Dashboard data is refreshed nightly.
A brand new School Summary option is also available on the Graduation Validation Dashboard. It provides graduation summary information for the selected school and student population.
Dates Tips and Reminders
Dates Tips and Reminders
MCPS Internal Data Dashboard Reminder
If you are not able to see data as expected on new internal dashboards, please follow these steps to clear the browsing data in the browser used to access the new dashboard.
Clear Browsing Data in Google Chrome:
Click the 3 dots in the top right corner of the screen; then select menu item: Clear Browsing Data
Enhanced Synergy Reports
U-GRD703: CCR Summary
This report was enhanced to provide newly adopted MSDE CCR standards and interim blueprint CCR standards at the summary and student level and continues to provide Montgomery College CCR standards.
U-MTSS700: MTSS Request for Support School Summary
This report offers a summary analysis of “requests for support” by request status. It also provides the selected school’s student list with the form type, all form content, status, notes, and student demographic information.
U-SCD507: Student EOC Schedule and Exam Marks
This report provides a list of students scheduled with or without sections into BX courses for the second semester and highlights those with incorrect course IDs. It will also include results from the MCAP Assessment once they are available.
Cybersecurity Awareness Tip: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Essential for Security
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds a crucial layer of security to your accounts by requiring not just a password, but a second step, like a code or fingerprint. This extra step helps protect sensitive school information and personal data from unauthorized access.
Why Use MFA?
Enhanced Security: Reduces risk of unauthorized access.
Quick Setup: Takes just a few minutes to enable.
Broad Protection: Secures email, financial records, and more.
How to Set Up MFA:
1. Go to your account’s security settings.
2. Enable MFA (may be called "Two-Factor Authentication").
3. Choose a verification method (e.g., SMS code, email, or biometrics).
Enabling MFA on all personal and work accounts strengthens digital security.
Synergy 2025 Upgrades Outage Scheduled for Evening of December 19
Synergy 2025 Upgrades Outage Scheduled for Evening of December 19
Beginning at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 19, Synergy SIS, StudentVUE, TeacherVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable in order to facilitate an overnight transition into the Synergy 2025 upgrade. Synergy will be available by 6am on December 20.
Version 2025 of Synergy SIS and TeacherVUE will include all of the same great features you have come to expect and exciting enhancements. Check out these flyers for details.
Please clear your browsing data in Google Chrome before opening Synergy after the upgrade.
Here’s how to Clear Browsing Data in Google Chrome:
Click the 3 dots in the top right corner of the screen; then select the menu item: Clear Browsing Data
MCPS Tech Shorts:
How to Clear Browsing Data: Quick Guide
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