Student email faq

Niskayuna K-12 Grade Student Email

Why do students have district email?

• Student email facilitates educational activities, including research, collaboration, communication with teachers, and notifications from Educations Apps

• Access promotes student accountability in and ownership of their education by enabling students to receive notifications, reminders, and other supports facilitated through email

• Using email effectively is a valuable skill that benefits from teacher-guided practice

What kind of responsibilities do students have when emailing?

Email offers many valuable opportunities, but comes with responsibilities. Students will:

• Only use district email for schoolwork and school-related communication

• Use language and behavior that is appropriate for school and complies with the code of conduct

• Carefully consider what is written and sent via email. The internet is very public and no one has full control over information once it is shared. Do not send anything you would not want parents, teachers, colleges, or future employers to see

What kind of access do students have to email?

Student access to email begins in kindergarten, and access changes at key points after students have a chance to work with teachers to learn how to effectively and appropriately use email with different audiences. In addition to receiving notifications from district services,

• K - 6th graders can only email teachers and staff

• 7th graders can email teachers, staff, and other students

• 8th graders can email teachers, staff, students, and outside addresses

• 9-12th grade students continue full access

How do you write an effective email?

Writing an effective email benefits from the following strategies:

• Include a greeting or salutation

• Begin with a clear, descriptive subject line

• Be clear and polite, but don't let emails get too long

• Be calm and patient while writing

• Proofread - or better yet, have someone else proofread - important emails before sending

• Include a closing and your full name

• Not all topics are best handled via email.
  If it's complicated or urgent, have a conversation

All student email addresses match student Google accounts, and end in @stu.niskyschools.org