CVSD Technology for New Hires
Welcome to the Champlain Valley School District!
We hope that this newsletter provides you with answers to your immediate questions and that you use it as a reference beyond your starting date. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the people listed below with any questions!
Privacy & Security
Two-Factor Authentication
We require two-factor authentication on all adult accounts to protect the accounts from unauthorized access. Many of the cloud-based apps we use supports single sign-in using on Google accounts and because we have two-factor on our Google accounts, that protection extends to apps such as PowerSchool SIS and eFinance.
Phishing
As a school district, we are a frequent target by attackers who use phishing email to gain access to sensitive information we have of both students and faculty/staff. Everyone should carefully review every email that is received to be sure it is legitimate and doesn’t have a file containing malware attached or a phishing link in the email message. See the video below for more information about phishing and how to detect it.
This video is featured in the collection of videos that all employees view annually.
Acceptable Communication Between Adults & Students
This video is featured in the collection of videos that all employees view annually.
Related CVSD Policies and Procedures
Equipment
Chromebooks
We provide a Chromebook to all adults in our system, along with a CVSD Google account. Students in grades 1-12 each have a dedicated Chromebook for use.
Other Devices
- Most classrooms have a document camera and a projector or display.
- There are iPads in many of our buildings which can be signed out for use. Kindergarten classrooms have iPads for students to share.
Digital Learning
The Digital Learning Team
Each of our buildings has a dedicated Digital Learning Leader to provide support, professional development, and more around the implementation and use of our various digital educational tools. Some of their work includes:
Promote and support embedding digital citizenship across all grade spans and in work with the school community.
Support teaching and learning in Google Workspace.
Work with teachers to integrate the use of hardware, software, and internet resources in support of student learning.
Evaluate, promote, and use existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, while also considering student data privacy.
Director of Digital Learning: Bonnie Birdsall
Digital Learning Leaders:
- Charlotte Central School - Steve Flint
- CVU - Charlie MacFadyen
- Hinesburg Community School - Anne Pius
- Shelburne Community School - Leah Joly
- Williston Schools - Jessica Wilson, with additional support at Allen Brook School from Linda Scott
We also work with the knowledgeable and dedicated library staff in all buildings.
CVSD's Request for Tech Process
We are very proud to have a definitive process in place to request new platforms or tools. Please view the information and resources below to get better informed. Do not hesitate to ask questions!
Platforms and Tools
Frequently Used Platforms
These platforms are used most widely, and are the most supported, across the district at various grade spans. This is not a comprehensive list; there are additional tools and platforms used in specific departments. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Wifi
The various wifi offerings in our buildings have been updated and some protocols have been changed over the summer of 2023. This is all intended to ensure that the wifi works smoothly for everyone. See the updates below.
Adults:
- All district-provided Chromebooks will connect to CVSDLearns2 (students and adults)
Every CVSD staff member will have a personal code to join CVSDStaff. They can connect two personal devices to that wifi.
Be thoughtful about which two devices, it is not possible to switch the access used from one device to another
Our supportive IT staff will soon provide more information about the codes
Long-term subs and student teachers will get a code.
CVSDGuest will be limited in each building to 15 devices. The password will be changed regularly. If there’s an event happening at one school, IT needs to be notified to create additional accounts in that building.
CVSDPublic comes on after 2:30 in K-8 buildings and after 3:00 at CVU.
Students:
- CVU students are now required to use Chromebooks, which will automatically connect to wifi just like the student Chromebooks for grades 1-8.
- All district-provided Chromebooks will connect to CVSDLearns2 (students and adults)
- Each CVU student gets one license to connect a personal device (phone).
- CVU students are advised to be thoughtful about which device they connect; it is not possible to switch the access used from one device to another.
- K-8 students will not get a license to connect a personal device.
CVSDPublic comes on after 2:30 in K-8 buildings and after 3:00 at CVU.
Day-to-Day
Printing
SecurePrint is the print management software. It is synced with your user account. All print jobs are held in queue with release stations at copiers. You can release a print job on most copiers across the district. If you need access to a specific printer, please contact the HelpDesk.
Updating Devices
It is important, especially for security reasons, to keep your devices up to date. Please make sure to run any updates as they become available. Shutting down a Chromebook fully will automatically install any updates to Chrome. Closing the lid is not the same as shutting down.
Log Out!
Make sure you are logging out of your devices. This not only helps to ensure that they have the latest operating system, but is also an important security measure. If you work directly with students, please teach them to log out and completely shut down every day and not just close their Chromebook's lid.
Use Google Drive!
As a district we use Google Workspace for Education as our platform which includes Google Drive, Google’s cloud storage application. We use Chromebooks for all student, faculty, and eventually administrator devices, and as we migrate away from Windows and Apple devices, there is less need for storing files in traditional on-site file servers that are costly to maintain and are prone to security incidents.
Google Drive vs. Google Shared Drives
When should you save something to your own Google Drive and when should something reside in a Shared Drive?
Each user has their own Drive where they can save and store files and folders. They can shared individual files and folders with others at any time. If the owner of a file or folder leaves the district, those are no longer available to others.
A Shared Drive is a drive where a group of people can all access shared files. There's not one owner of the files. If someone leaves the district, the files remain in the Shared Drive.
Support
IT Support
We are fortunate to have an amazing IT staff spread across the district in our schools and the district's Central Office. The IT team strives to obtain, deploy, maintain and support traditional and innovative technology to support learning and teaching. Using the Help Desk will get you the support and quick response you're looking for.
Among the IT team's primary responsibilities:
Provision and maintain staff devices
Provision and maintain Chromebooks, iPad carts, charging stations, and printers.
Support legal compliance where technology is involved
Maintain help desk and helpdesk support system for technology issues and questions
Create, maintain, and administer user and guest accounts
Maintain all major systems
Work to enhance existing technology and obtain new technology congruent with school and district goals
Monitor and support all network resources and network traffic
Protect Student Information and data pertaining to Williston Schools
Work with district, and K12 technology leadership to support K12 initiatives
Network Administrators: Nancy Colbourn and Nick Clark
Lead IT Technicians: Matt Kihm, Nancy Myrick, JoAnne Conroy
IT Technicians: Annette Hebert, Paden Fortier, Stephanie Bliss, Yoshi Cook
Support for Specific Platforms
Powerschool - George Martin and school registrars View this site first!
eFinance - Laura Nassau
School Messenger - Bonnie Birdsall and George Martin
Let's Talk - Bonnie Birdsall
Google tools - DLLs
Seesaw - DLLs
Jumprope - Emily Rinkema
Use the IT Help Desk
Use the Let's Talk Technology topic