IT Matters
October 2018
Welcome!

Celebrating Dot Day!
Summer Projects Update
- 270 Chromebooks were at end of lease and were sent back to HP this summer. This meant we had to locate devices by serial numbers and move to a central location for pickup. Chargers were sent back as well.
- 450 Chromebooks arrived for our incoming 6th graders and to provide 1:1 carts for grade 3 students and additional devices in the NHS library. Devices were unboxed, configured, labeled, and sorted by class prior to distribution.
- Chromebooks used by last year's 8th graders were transferred to NHS.
- Collected NMS chromebooks were sorted into new homerooms and delivered during the first week of school.
- Chromebooks for students in grades 9, 10, 11 were distributed during the first week of school thanks to NHS teachers and our high school student help desk.
- eSpark iPads previously used in grades 3-5 have been reallocated to grades K-2.
- Flex iPad carts at JCS have been reassigned to the Little Lancers Preschool.
- We doubled our bandwidth to account for additional devices on the network.
We know that many of the projectors being used at the primary and middle school levels are 6-8+ years old. We are working to provide equity across grade levels and content areas while also addressing failing equipment across all schools. We have many classrooms that still have wires hanging from ceilings and projectors on carts that must be addressed for safety reasons.
A capital request has been put forth to the Town for 33 interactive projectors or interactive flat panels. If approved, we are planning to upgrade LGN and JCS classrooms with new projection equipment. We are aware of additional needs at both the HAY and NMS and will reallocate viable equipment until new technology can be purchased in future budgets.
Wifi Networks-What's the Difference? NPS vs NPS Chromebooks vs NPS BYOD vs NPS Guest
All student chromebooks and ipads are on the NPS Chromebooks network which is a separate network just for these devices. Student filtering is in place on this network.
The NPS BYOD network is for any device that is not supplied by the District. Students who bring their own devices from home can use this wifi network. Student filtering is in place on this network.
The NPS Guest network has the strongest filters and is open for anyone to join--no passwords required. You may notice that certain websites and social media apps do not work on this network. Please tell students not to switch to this network as they will not get better access. The NPS Guest network does not allow access to any school owned devices such as printers, copiers, or servers.
What can your TTLs do for you?
- Jenifer Carline, HAY
- Jennifer Carlson, LGN
- Colleen O'Neil, JCS
- Christina Schilingo, NMS
- Jennifer Young, NHS
Contact your TTL if you:
- Need help setting up Google Classroom, organizing your Google Drive, managing 1:1 devices in your classroom
- Want to learn how to better communicate with parents/families using technology
- Are interested in publishing student work for a global audience
- Need assistance with District provided software
- Want some ideas on how your students can make films for the Lancer Film Festival
Your TTLs don't fix hardware problems. They are teachers who can assist with applications that impact teaching and learning. If you need help with hardware when something breaks, please put in a SchoolDude request and Nick, Paul, or our NHS Help Desk students will assist.
Be On the Lookout!

PD Day Resources
- Maximizing GSuite for Education workshop at NHS- Tuesdays, Oct 16-Nov 27th Hybrid sessions both face-to-face and online. FREE for NPS staff! Register by 10/12 https://goo.gl/7BEC7L
- MassCUE Conference at Gillette Stadium Oct 18th -19th, Teachers may choose to apply contractual funds to attend this conference. Prior approval of building administrator required - submit through SmartPD.
- Edcamp SouthEastern MA HERE AT NMS Dec 1st! http://edcampsemass.weebly.com/
TECH Pics of the Month!
STEM Class Taking computers apart and putting them back together! | TechEd Class Designing and 3D printing prototypes! | Music Class Chromebooks and electric keyboards! |

Have a Tech Picture to Share?
Aesop/Frontline Absence Management
We expect to have the correct number of sick, personal, and vacation days in all staff accounts by Tuesday, October 9th. If you have any questions regarding the number of days listed in your account, please reach out to Liz Simone esimone@norton.k12.ma.us or Matt Wells mwells@norton.k12.ma.us.
SchoolDude
Budgetary Cuts to Online Resources
- Discovery Education Streaming
- Accelerated Reader
- MyAccess
- Gizmos
- eSpark
- Wixie
- Newsela
We will work to identify alternatives that are comparable and cost effective or advocate to include these back in the FY2020 budget.
Online Curriculum Resources
- CAST Learning Tools
- National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
- Authors who Skype for Free!
- Projects by Jen! Online Collaborative Projects (Pk-6)
- The National Archives Experience-Digital Vaults
- The Ultimate STEM Guide for Kids
- DuoLingo-Learn a language for free
- Physical Education Update
- Interactive Simulations for Science & Math
- LitTunes: Teaching Literary Elements through Music
- Shodor Interactive Math Activities
- PBS Learning Media
- iCivics
- Global Read Aloud
- The Noun Project-icons for everything

2nd Annual Lancer Film Festival
The Lancer Film Festival is back for a second year and we expect it to be even better than last year! The festival aims to celebrate original media created by students and staff. Teachers are
encouraged to include options for students to create films and videos when assigning curriculum projects throughout the school year. Students may then choose to submit their original media creations for recognition at the Lancer Film Festival. Staff are also encouraged to create original films and videos that engage and inspire others. The date hasn't been set yet but we expect it to take place in late April or early May. To learn more, visit the Lancer Film Festival website.
District Tech Team Meeting
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