Cyber Security Training (by Nov 7th) & Software Discontinued at TTSD

Fall Cybersecurity Training — Due November 7

As required by our CyberSecurity Insurance, all TTSD staff members are required to complete CyberSecurity trainings twice a year (as education is the BEST method of prevention of a cyber incident which can cost us time, $ and data loss). This first training for 2025-26 SY coincides with October Cyber Security Month.  

LINK TO COURSE << All staff to complete by Nov 7, 2025

This fall’s required training focuses on Phishing Awareness and the TTSD Acceptable Use Policy, which includes a reminder that account passwords must never be shared.

Please complete the Cybersecurity Training by the end of Quarter 1 (November 7).
The training is self-paced and available in Canvas.

A second cybersecurity module will be released in Spring 2026.

Thank you for helping keep TTSD systems and data secure!

NOTICE: Software No Longer Being Used at TTSD

Effective November 7, the following software resources will no longer be available to TTSD staff or students.

These changes are being made due to vendor non-compliance with district data privacy policy requirements and/or budget reductions within the IT Department.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to prioritize student data privacy and responsible resource management. 

 

Clever Teacher Library:

• Prodigy, Khan Academy, eSpark, and Duolingo will no longer be available.

Software No Longer Funded (beginning September 2025):

• Survey's were conducted last Spring to identify high-users of these resources and communicate early regarding the lack of funding to continue in 2025-26
• Licenses for both Screencastify and KAMI have ended. (TTVA will continue with KAMI)
• Staff may request one of the limited Screencastify licenses for 2025–26 by completing this form.
• For alternatives, connect with your instructional coaches, technicians, or peers.

Expiring Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs):

•  Edmentum Courseware, ClassDojo, and Grammarly will lose access as vendors have declined to renew state-approved DPAs.

Back to School Updates for TTSD Staff

Welcome Back From Your Technology Department !

As we embrace the end of summer and another exciting start to a new school year, please take a moment to catch up on some summer changes and review TTSD technology agreements for the year:

• If you are on a Mac laptop, you will see a message from "JAMF Connect" asking you to sign in with your FULL email and your TTSD password.  If you have any trouble, see Resource #1 below.

• JAMF Connect is replacing "AdminByRequest" on Macs to elevate your access on your computer to install a printer and run updates. 
• Why?  Identified a less expensive tool to satisfy this requirement by our cyber security insurance (remove admin privileges on client computers)
• Resources:
1. Jamf Connect - Getting Started
2. Jamf Connect - Elevated Admin Privileges
3. Jamf Connect - Change TTSD Password

• All Staff are required to review & sign the Staff Acceptable Use Policy & Data Confidentiality Agreement to ensure clear communicate and expectations on data & account responsibility:

2025-26 Staff Technology Acceptable Use & Data Confidentiality Agreement

• Changes to Elementary and Middle School Student Devices:
• After classroom teacher and school principal feedback, we have made some notable changes to our student 1:1 device setup. Notable changes:
• In Grades K-8:
• Backgrounds images are locked (same background for all students)
• Students cannot rearrange Apps on their screen
• Students cannot remove Apps
• Unused system apps removed (News, Stocks, etc)
• Internet Filter Changes: 
• Elementary & middle school students have additional non-educational categories blocked.
• NO INTENTIONAL change to high school students or staff (* Upgrade to filter system over the summer may cause unintended changes - please submit a tech request if you run into any issues)

 

Soak Up the Sun and Some Fresh Insights

I hope you're finding time to enjoy these summer days—whether that means long walks, beach trips, backyard lounging, or catching up on your favorite activities. As educators, we know how challenging it can be to stay on top of new technologies during the school year. That’s why I wanted to share a fantastic find with you: an EXCELLENT podcast that’s perfect for a 45-minute walk, a workout, a drive to the coast, or even just relaxing in the sun with your earbuds in.

This is a great way to recharge while still staying inspired for the year ahead.

PLAY

(YouTube Version)

Don't have time?  Check out this TTSD approved tool "NotebookLM" that can help you and students digest a variety of information by providing the content in a variety of formats: 

1. Open NotebookLM
2. Add resource(s): YouTube Version
3. Click "Studio' & choose from:
• Audio Overview
• Reports >
• Briefing Doc
• Study Guide

There are a number of resources available to help guide your use of AI for professional growth & efficiencies, as well as beginning to educate students how, when and why they choose to leverage AI tools, with teacher guidance and approval. 

End of School Year - Technology Wishes

It's the last day of the 2024-25 school year! Congratulations to you and all of our students for their hard work and persistence this year.  We wanted to send you into your summer vacation months with a few reminders and updates from Technology Dept.

SAFETY & SECURITY REMINDERS:

• Keep your password secure over the summer.  
• Never send personally identified information (SSN, student ID information, etc.) in email or email attachments
• If you explore the use of ChatGPT, Gemini or other AI tools this summer, refrain from putting personal information in these systems.  They are not private and the data entered is often/likely used to train their algorithms. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO FALL:

• K-12 Student Technology Skills Framework will make its DEBUT
• K-8 Student devices will have some exciting new academic-focused configurations
• Student Internet filter refinements to reduce off-task distractions
• Continued discussions of AI and the impact(s) on student learning...

Summer tech fun:

• Seesaw Early Literacy Teacher Resources
  Seesaw Early Literacy Lessons
  Seesaw Early Literacy One Pager
  Seesaw Early Literacy Overview - Youtube Video
  
  
• JAMF Teacher for iPad student management in K-8 Classrooms (Intro Video)

• •  
    Jamf Teacher
  •  
    Create and Start Lessons in Jamf Teacher

•  Teacher Support for AI In the Classroom
• TTSD AI Guide
• TTSD AI Use Stoplight

Spring 2025 - Technology Updates @ TTSD

TeacherVUE Synergy Mail replacing Communications Fall 2025   

This past fall (2024), we attempted to implement Synergy Mail (replacing Synergy Communication). Thanks to staff feedback, however, we reverted back to Synergy Communication after identifying some shortcomings in the new mail Synergy Mail solution. 

With recent updates in Synergy, the previous issues in Synergy Mail have been resolved:

• Parents/students now see messages are sent from teacher's name and TTSD email (no longer from "NoReply")
• Teachers can now CC: themselves (allowing for the equivalent of a "sent message" for documentation)
• The ability to easily email more than one specific student/parent or group of students/parents ("this ability in other systems has been invaluable time savers.")
• The ability to copy other staff members when communicating with families ("need to email case managers, other classroom teachers, etc.")

Screenshots of these Improvements in Synergy Mail:

TEACHERS:

• Please begin using “Home > Synergy Mail", Mail icon, or “Student > Compose Email”
• Synergy Mail will be the ONLY option for communication via Synergy beginning Fall 2025 and we would like any additional feedback on missing features this spring:

 Synergy Mail vs Communication Feedback Form 

Technology Education @ TTSD

There are technology advances in our daily lives that require all of us to have a responsible level of awareness.  Our fall and spring Cyber Security trainings for both staff and students (ie Digital Citizenship) are one of TTSD's methods for continuing education for all on this topic.   Some might say these technology advances are improvements and others might call them distractions. Regardless of which technology tool you are referring to, informed awareness is essential to understanding it's value (in life, the classroom, etc.)

Below is a summary of the explicit trainings and efforts we make across the district each year to support our students, classroom teachers and staff build this awareness and skill (with examples of how this was implemented in the 2024-25 SY:

Fall: 🍁

• K-12 Student digital citizenship and cyber security lesson #1
• In September 2024...
• ES students completed 
• K-2: Beginning of Year (K-2): Ticket to Tech Responsibilities Review
• 3-5: Beginning of Year (3-5): Ticket to Tech Responsibility Review
• MS students completed  Digital Citizenship (MS) 2024
• HS students completed Are you ready to take control of your digital world? Let's dive in!
• All Staff received Cyber Security Training #1
• In October 2024...
• All staff were to complete the Cyber Security Awareness Fall 2024 Canvas course

Winter/Spring: 🌷

• K-12 Student digital citizenship and cyber security lesson #2
• In February & March 2025...
• ES students completed Common Sense Media digital citizenship lessons (#2 & #3 from TTSD Grades K-5 - Device Advice Collection - Pacing Guide)
• MS students completed "Intro to AI for Middle School Students"
• HS students completed "AI Student Training 101"
• All Staff received Cyber Security Training #2
• In April 2025...
• All Staff will receive the 2025 Cyber Security Training Canvas Course (FERPA awareness and data privacy) - L👀k for an email!

Coming 2025-26 School year:

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, the District "2024-25 K-12 Technology Integration and Innovation Committee is collectively gathering necessary skills our students need to be successful in the classroom and upon graduation.  The committee is comprised of licensed staff, classified staff, administrators, parents and community members. We have surveyed staff at all levels, met as a committee and are collaboratively building a scope and sequence of student technology skill building that will help support all of our students gain the necessary technology skills as they progress through their career at TTSD. The goal of this committee is to (1) produce a vetted K-12 Scope and Sequence Student Technology Skills document. (2) review current TTSD classroom technology standards and update them as needed.

*** Look for updates and a DRAFT plan in your InBox May 2025 ***

Week of Dec 16th - (1) MacOS Update to v15.x, (2) COLOR at the Print Shop & (3) Applications and Limitations of AI !

Time to Update Your Mac: Stay Secure and Compatible

As we approach Winter Break, it's the perfect time to ensure your Mac laptop is up to date. Keeping your operating system updated is essential for:

• Security: Updates include critical security patches that protect your device and data from vulnerabilities.
• Compatibility: Running the latest version ensures your laptop works seamlessly with the latest software and tools.
• Performance: Updates often include fixes and optimizations to keep your laptop running smoothly.

When should you update? We recommend completing your update over Winter Break. Major updates can take some time, depending on your internet speed and the size of the update. Expect the process to take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It's best to tackle updates when you don't need your device for daily work.

How to Update Your Mac:

1. Click on the Apple logo 🍏 in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older systems).
3. Choose General > Software Update.
4. If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.

Make sure your device is plugged into power and you have a stable internet connection during the process. For additional guidance, visit the TTSD macOS Update Guide.

TTSD Printshop Now (Officially) Accepting Color Print Jobs!

Exciting news! The TTSD Printshop is now accepting color print jobs in addition to black-and-white printing. While black-and-white printing remains a cost-effective option at $0.01 per printed page, color printing is now available at $0.05 per printed page.

Here's an example to help you budget your print jobs:

• A 35-page black-and-white workbook for a class of 100 students would cost:
  $35.00 (35 pages × $0.01 × 100 copies).
• The same workbook in color would cost:
  $175.00 (35 pages × $0.05 × 100 copies).

Budget-Friendly Reminder

While color printing can enhance presentations, posters, and other visuals, we ask all staff to remain budget-conscious when selecting print options.

Important Note: At this time, schools and departments will not be invoiced for printshop jobs. However, depending on future budget considerations and printing quantities, this may change.

For questions about submitting print jobs, visit their TTSD PrintShop site for guidelines and forms.

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Enjoy a safe and restful Winter Break, and don’t forget to keep your devices updated! We look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Looking to Improve your AI Skills over the Winter Break? 

If you are an old pro or a beginner and find yourself with a few minutes/hours of free time (what!?) over the Winter Break, why not see how AI tools can enhance your lesson plans, communication and save you some time.  Great 2 minute read: "15 Times to use AI, and 5 Not to"

1. Option 1: 
1. Read the TTSD AI Guidelines for Educators to try out some TTSD approved AI tools - like Brisk Teaching, MagicSchool & School AI. 
1. Pages 1-12 will provide you with a SOLID foundation.
2. pages 13-18 will give you ideas and engaging ways to start using AI tools. 
2. Option 2: 
1. Try a self-paced course "Generative AI for Educators"

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- TTSD Tech Team

Week of Dec 9th - Holiday (TECH) Safety Tips

How to have a SAFE and SECURE Winter Season:

Watch OUT for very savvy Scammers and Phishing attempts! - These "bad actors" are now getting more sophisticated. Here's how to spot them and what to do:

• These scams are now mimicking an email string & using text messages sent to your cell phones. 
• They quite often ask you to:
• Purchase something for them (often from a supervisor), 
• Update their direct deposit bank account/password for them or 
• Act quickly by clicking a link to correct or verify some information 
• STOP and call using a known phone number if you suspect anything out of the ordinary  

Please see a REAL phishing attempt below: (Full Email Here)

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TEXT SCAM EXAMPLE - Do not click on ANY links in a text like this >>

 

Practice Safe Shopping Habits (with your TTSD Pcard or your PERSONAL credit cards)

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