Tech Department Newsletter
August - Welcome Back Edition
The Technology Department is here to support and help!
IssueTrak - Use this link for all Technology Support Requests
"Good" IssueTrak tickets have specifics and detail:
a) What is the problem? - be specific
b) What have you tried to do already? What was the result? - be specific
c) Is there a best time to get your device? - let us know, we will try to accommodate.
Summer Projects - Chromebooks, Chromebooks, Chromebooks!
It's been a Chromebook Summer! We are proud to have completed the following Chromebook projects this summer:
1) Implemented 1016 new Chrome Books for Secondary Curriculum implementations.
2) "Refreshed" 936 old Chromebook and replaced with new models! This is the first of three more phases to update our CB fleet.
3) Wiping down all Chromebooks at all sites. This is an annual cleaning - additional cleanings are the responsibility of the school site.
Do you want to know how many sick days you have left? Your Benefits? The Employee Online Portal now live!
The Employee Portal is now live! We have moved out of Beta and ready for employees to use this fantastic window to your employee data.
The Employee Online Portal is an online interface to most of your HR information. You can see your benefits, sick leave, paychecks, and more. The link will take you to the Alameda County hosting site. Please follow the directions to register and create your account. Don't forget to create a secure password!
Employee Online Portal (from our district website under Staff Resources)
How to Spot Phishing Emails
Phishing emails try to get the user to click on or reply with information. These emails are often sent in large blasts to organizations or groups of people from hacked accounts. Many phishing emails have improved their levels of deception by including small tidbits of personalized information such as name or email addresses or even city of residency. See the quiz/tutorial link below to help education and protect yourself.
Take the Quiz
Google Teacher Center - Learning Tutorials
This link is for the Google Teacher Training Center. This site has tutorials and online classes designed for teachers to take. These are designed similar to Keenan trainings - with sections, expected time to complete, but also with areas for teachers to take notes and reflections.
The Trainings are free (this is different than Google Certification).
There are topics such as:
- First Day of Google Docs,
- First Day of Google Sheets,
- Have a Paperless (Mostly) Classroom,
- Building Interactive Lessons
- Organize activities for yourself and others
- Save time communicating
These would be great to review as grade level or department teams to help build capacity and boost familiarity with Google Tools.
Planning Parent/Teacher Conferences Using Google Calendar and Appointments
https://teachercenter.withgoogle.com/advanced_training/unit?unit=90&lesson=96
Looking for an easy way to digitally coordinate conference appointments and times? Use the Google Calendar Appointments feature.
You will be able to send a link to parents and have them see open slots and sign up. This will show up in your Google Calendar.
Using the Staff Override Login (for website override)
The Staff Override Login is designed to give teachers an opportunity to access some websites that are filtered for student safety but provide education under supervision by the teacher.
This will mostly benefit Elementary Teachers that want to use YouTube as it is blocked at all Elementary level sites.
The link is located on the District Website under Staff Resources.
Library Digital Research Resource for Teachers
Skills for the Future
Goodbye Windows 7
Windows 7 end of life for support will be January 2020. All devices running Windows 7 will need to be upgraded to Windows 10.
Digital Citizenship for Students
Student Digital Citizenship is about students learning and understanding safe, respectful, and responsible use of the Internet and devices. This includes password protection, social media use, cyber-bullying prevention, and understanding internet information fake or real.
You can have your students take the free course for learning about safe Internet use. It is game-based learning about essential elements for Internet Use - Password safety, Fake or Real, Sharing information, and Be Kind.
Play it here:
Google's Be Internet Awesome is free tool for families and students. https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/
If you are interested in a more formalized curriculum with premade lesson plans and videos. The lessons are simple enough and help students to learn about password security, online safety and more. The curriculum is with http://www.lersun.com/ I have some licenses still available.
Please email me. gko@cv.k12.ca.us
Public Records - Email, documents, texting and more
Technology Department
Paul Rose, Network System Admin
Steve Mei, Network System Admin
Audrey Gross, Student Information Systems
Paula DeLaRiva, Student Information Systems
Email: gko@cv.k12.ca.us
Location: 4400 Alma Avenue, Castro Valley, CA, USA
Phone: 510-537-3000 1249