Resources
Add the Open Network to Your Device
If you have a device you want to connect, you may use the TMOPEN network (password=stafford). Staff and student devices cannot be connected to the SCPSWLAN.
Google Access
We use Google for almost everything at Thompson. Check your Gmail at least twice a day and respond to email within 48 hours. Email is for professional use and is subject to FOIA.
Drive is used to create and store files as well as share/collaborate on files with others. Calendar is used to monitor school events and to reserve labs. Classroom is used to establish a workflow for student work that eases feedback and helps alleviate lost work as well as promote collaboration among your students. Forms is used to collect information, conduct surveys, and deliver simple assessments.
Always be aware of what you are sharing in Google. Try to share only with specific people instead of giving everyone view rights, and be sensitive to student privacy.
Synergy is our students management system where you can find student contact and demographic information and mark daily attendance, post grades, and communicate with students and parents. Assignments and grades are posted on the Class Website found in Synergy and accessed by both parents and students through Synergy's ParentVUE and StudentVue sites and apps. Grades must be updated at least once a week. The Class Webstie is also where you post your syllabus with grading policy.
Our official school website is https://staffordschools.net/rtms which is also linked to the image to the left. Only coaches and club sponsors have a webpage. Any announcements that need to be posted must be uploaded by the webmaster.
Professional Growth
(formerly known as MyLearningPlan)
Sign-up for and track your personal professional growth throughout the year. Your initial login is your school email address with the generic password of “stafford”. All teachers must update their Professional Growth profile following the My User Profile link in the My Info menu. PD forms you need are completed and submitted electronically through this system. We also use it to track our professional goals.
Our Learning Management System, or LMS, is new this year for both teachers and students. Here are directions for accessing Canvas in the Google waffle. You can also access Canvas in the SCPS folder on the Chrome toolbar when you are logged into Chrome. The title above is linked to the Teacher Training Site.
Learn more about what Canvas has to offer for effective, engaging, virtual instruction by enrolling in the self-paced course called Growing with Canvas. You may register for this course using our Canvas catalog. Here is a short, video overview of our new Stafford Canvas catalog. Please note: Do not create a new account in this catalog; use your existing SCPS account to log in. See full written directions on how to enroll in Growing with Canvas here. Enrollment in Growing with Canvas lets you explore and practice new skills and Canvas tools in an empty course shell called a Sandbox. This "course sandbox" should display on your Canvas dashboard.
Performance Matters
Our online assessment and data analysis tool allows for the creation of common assessments with PLC using SOL-style questions. It gives data about students' performance and suggestions for remediation. Data can be tracked longitudinally.
Directions to access the Canvas course catalog to sign up for self-paced training in Canvas.
MAP Growth & MAP Skills
MAP Skills is a formative assessment tool used by the Math Department that can be used between MAP Growth administration to pinpoint specific skill gaps and assess skill mastery.
Technology Devices & Other Peripherals
There are 4 PC labs available to reserve via Google Calendar for whole class instruction and projects. Each content teacher is assigned 15 Chromebooks to use for stations, etc. Twenty iPads are available for checkout with the CT Andrew Mack.
Classrooms contain a ceiling-mounted projector that is connected to the teacher desktop computer, document camera, and media retrieval system we use for bus dismissal and morning announcements. Projectors need to be turned off when not in use, during planning and at the end of the day.
Printing is done to the copiers on the main and second floor copier rooms. Go through the Printer Setup icon in the Zenworks window to install new printers/copiers and be sure to set your default printer. When you are ready to print, select HOLD Print.