Newton Public Schools now uses Gmail, Google Groups, Shared Drives, Calendars and Sites to replace applications previously used in FirstClass.
G Suite is an integrated suite of secure, cloud-native collaboration and productivity apps to help educators and students create, collaborate, and communicate. Some examples of apps that staff and students currently use include: Drive, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, and Sites.
FirstClass is an older, outdated email system. In addition, our FirstClass servers are passing their functionality. Gmail allows Newton Public Schools employees to fully integrate with other G Suite applications (Drive, Calendar, etc.) that the majority of faculty and staff already use through their NPS Google accounts.
Unfortunately, no. Turning on Gmail for all of the NPS Google accounts is relatively straightforward. If we had to transfer over emails for all users, the process would not only take much longer and would be exponentially more difficult. We will leave all of your old email right where it is in FirstClass, and you can find it whenever you like. Think of it like moving to a great new house right next to where you live now and not having to pack up all of your old stuff.
FirstClass emails are now view only. You are not able to send or receive emails within FirstClass, but can review old FirstClass messages.
To address the wide range of needs and comfort levels with G Suite applications, Newton Public Schools faculty and staff will have access to several different types of support.
The FAQ page (on this site) will give you quick answers to the most commonly asked questions about our switch to Gmail, Google Groups, Google Shared Drive, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Contacts and Google Sites.
Google has a number of How-to Guides that illustrate basic functions of Gmail, Google Groups, Google Shared Drive, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Contacts and Google Sites.
Instructional Technology Specialists are in your building and can offer support and guidance.