Skyward individualization and Reserve Teacher Plans

Skyward has some great options that have recently been updated. Here is a video on personalizing your skyward gradebook. You will notice that Skyward has many other helpful tutorial videos on this page.

Student Indicators help us understand the needs of our students. Wish you could remember what each letter or color indicator is? This document explains the student indicators in Skyward. You may want to add this to your drive or google keep for further reference.

One of the most important changes for classroom teachers is that you will be able to see a list of your gifted/talented students along with other important student information.

Last week Cassie’s tech tip was about best practices for sharing lesson plans with a reserve teacher. Many teachers are currently using an online plan book, such as planbook.com. Please make sure you share the link either by email or within Aesop (Frontline).  If you are using a reserve teacher folder the following video is for you!

Here is a tutorial that shows you how to add your plans to the reserve folder.

Here is a tutorial that shows a reserve teacher how to access the reserve folder. Feel free to leave this link on Aesop (Frontline).

Important information about what you leave in your reserve folder and what to not leave in your reserve folder.

Do leave:
Daily Schedule
Class Roster
Today’s Plans
Important links

Do not leave:
Student IEP, 504 information- This is available to reserve teachers for the day on Skyward
Student PIN numbers
Student Passwords
Your password (Don't leave your username and password for a Reserve Teacher!  They have their own sign in information.)

If you have included any of the above please delete from your reserve teacher folder immediately. This is also a great opportunity to check your reserve folder.

If you have any questions please ask your DLS.

Welcome Back Technology Tips

Welcome back colleagues!

This week's tech tips are very important for all teaching staff to read. We appreciate the time and consideration you are giving to these items:

Schoology and Skyward Grade Sync

You can now sync assignment grades recorded in your Schoology course to Skyward. Click here for instructions!

Google Drive: "Add to"

Be sure you are adding shared Drive folders to your drive by highlighting a folder and clicking ‘SHIFT+Z’ or right clicking the folder and clicking "Add to Drive."

If you receive the message: "others will no longer see this folder," realize that you are removing a document or a folder from a shared space and others who currently have access to that item will not if you proceed.

Schoology and the Remind App

If you have tried to use the Remind app in Schoology this year you have likely noticed that it does not load. Remind updated their website and it is currently incompatible within Schoology. Schoology has reached out to Remind, but Remind has not yet provided Schoology with a timeline for the fix. ​For now you can access Remind through their website (remind.com).

Schoology and the Drive App

The Drive app in Schoology is also experiencing some issues. A temporary work around for this is to add Drive files with their link.

Schoology and Google Document Share Settings

When you add Google documents to Schoology make sure that the share settings are set to "Anyone with the link" can view as opposed to "Anyone at ISD624 with the link" can view to ensure that parents can view these items as well as students.

Join the Technology and Leadership Cohort

White Bear Lake Area Schools, in collaboration with Hamline University invite you to apply to join the 2015-2016 Technology & Leadership Cohort.

Starting October 27, 2015, ~30 teachers will begin White Bear’s third Cohort, focused on improving leadership and technology skills through four blended courses.  Teachers will also earn 15 inexpensive graduate credits and a Technology & Leadership Certificate through Hamline.

The focus of these classes will be to enhance practice of integrating technology into White Bear Lake’s curriculum as well as build leadership skills in teachers in the field of technology and learning.  The Cohort will give you the opportunity to collaborate with WBLAS colleagues from different grade levels and buildings.  The Cohort will be taught in a blended format with all face to face meetings being heldTuesday (one exception) afternoon/evenings once month (on average).

Optional Item: Dell Deals

If you are looking to purchase a personal device for home use, consider the following deals exclusive to White Bear Lake employees:

• Awesome electronics. Exclusive savings. Members: Buy a PC $699.99+, get a FREE 32" LG TV*.
• Inspiron 17 5000 Series + Free 32" TV $799.99. Search Order Code: DNDNU2409BSO. Accomplish every task with this adaptable laptop featuring the newest processor, Windows 8.1 and beautiful display. 5th gen Intel(r) Core(tm) i7 processor - Windows 8.1 - 8GB memory & 1TB hard drive - 17.3" HD+ display. Offer Valid 9/1-9/15 8 a.m. EST.
• Inspiron Desktop + Free 32" TV $699.99. Search Order Code: FDCWRP207BW10SO. 4th gen Intel(r) Core(tm) i3 processor - Windows 10 Home - 8GB memory & 1TB hard drive - 3 Years Premium Support and - 3 Years Accidental Damage included. Offer Valid 9/1-9/15 8 a.m. EST.
• Xbox One Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Bundle plus Rare Replay and additional controller $379.99. Search SKU: A8502871. Apply coupon code 3C8W9CBQPQW09B in cart. Limited quantity available. Offer begins 9/1 at 8 a.m. EST.
• Get 5% back in rewards with Dell Advantage. Plus free second business day shipping. Join for free at checkout.

Shop at: www.dell.com/mpp/ISD624
Or call: 1-800-695-8133
Member ID: US138833471