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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Week of November 18th - New Tools!!

JAMF Teacher:

What IS JAMF Teacher?  JAMF Teacher is a tool for teachers in grades K-8 (with students using iPads) that can be used in conjunction with Apple Classroom (or not) to remove apps, functions and features from student iPads during class to reduce distractions.

Below is a video to get you started.  If you are interested in trying JAMF Teacher in YOUR classroom please click here to submit a Tech Request or send an email using this link

JAMF Teacher Video

Middle and High School Students now have StudentSquare

 How can StudentSquare be used?

• Schools and teachers can message students to their TTSD email (immediately) and student cell phones (outside school hours) regarding class/school events, assignments, etc.  Messages can be auto-translated to the language of choice by the student.
• Students can message teachers and staff with school questions (with office hours on, students will be notified their teacher will receive their message when they return the next day) 
• Office staff could message an individual student through StudentSquare to call students to the office (if the student is logged into StudentSquare and has notifications on)

              How to get started at your school?

• Students need to "register" their account by logging in with their TTSD account via Google Login. 
• Middle School Students have StudentSquare on their school iPad
• High School Students have a new bookmark on their Chromebooks, pointing them to https://www.mystudentsquare.com/
• Here is a flyer you can post around your school (ENG / SPA)
• Intro Video to share with students:

Week of Oct 21st, 2024

District-wide License for Screencastify:

Since 2020, TTSD has provided access to Screencastify for all staff and students. It’s a simple, effective tool that many of us are already using for teaching, learning, and communication. Whether you’re looking to enhance lessons, support student projects, or just make things easier for yourself, Screencastify can help. If you haven’t tried it yet, or want to learn more, check out these short tutorial videos to see how it might work for you and your students.

• 10 Benefits of Screencasting for Teachers and Students
• AI Assistant Video
  
• World Languages with Voiceover
• 50 languages
• AI text to voice feature
• "Submit" tool
• NEW Submit Video

Canvas Links:

Canvas-ScreenCastify Integration

Embed Screencastify Video in Canvas Assignment

Using Screencastify Gradebook Integration

Enabling Canvas Gradebook Integration

 

Network Maintenance Weekends - LAST weekend of the month

• October 26 & 27th the TTSD IT Department will be performing the following maintenance:
• Saturday: 
• Server maintenance: Infinite Visions (mid morning)
• Server maintenance and Windows updates throughout the day, beginning after 2pm
• Network maintenance will cause disruption, beginning after 2pm @ Tualatin HS (moved from AM, due to PSAT testing from 8-1pm)
• Overnight wireless network maintenance - impacting wireless across the district
• Sunday:
• Papercut server update
• Mac Lightspeed (internet filter) update - Sunday afternoon 
• NOTE: ALL MAC LAPTOPS WILL BE REQUIRED TO RESTART once they receive this update. Please plan on this by opening your TTSD laptop early before school on Monday to receive the update and restart.

October is Cybersecurity Month; Plus Tech Committee Signup & Substitute Success

Cybersecurity Training

In recognition of National Cybersecurity Month this October, TTSD IT Department is pleased to announce a required training for all TTSD staff.  This training is crucial in protecting our schools from cyberattacks, safeguarding sensitive student and staff data and comply with safety requirements.

The online training will be hosted on Canvas (content provided by cisa.gov). Staff will be invited to the course via email and can also access the course using this link: https://ttsd.instructure.com/enroll/7T7MR4. 

The training covers key topics to help staff stay vigilant:

1. 4 Ways to Stay Safe Online: This section will highlight essential cybersecurity practices for everyday use.
2. Strong Password Management: Learn best practices for creating and managing strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Understand the benefits of MFA and how it adds an extra layer of security to logins.
4. Identifying Phishing Attempts: Discover how to recognize phishing emails and avoid falling victim to scams.

More information can be found HERE: https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month

Join the 2024-25 K-12 Technology Integration and Innovation Committee

We are looking for passionate and diverse voices from across our community—students, parents, teachers, staff, and more—to help shape the future of technology in our schools. This committee will bring together a variety of perspectives and experiences to create impactful changes for our students' technology skills and classroom standards.  SIGN UP HERE

Committee Goals:

1. Contribute to the development of a K-12 scope and sequence for technology skills and digital citizenship.
2. Help update classroom technology standards, including student device requirements.

Setting Up Your Classroom Substitute for Success:

The IT Department has collaborated with teachers and staff to create a 'Best Practice' setup for substitutes, leveraging a Substitute Google Shared Drive for lessons and instructions. While substitute technology is limited, our goal is to provide a consistent set of tools to ensure a smooth transition into any classroom. This helps teachers align their lesson plans with the resources substitutes can access. Please review the guide and share any feedback to help us continuously improve.

• Google Shared Folders & Substitute Teacher Instructions

 

Week of September 23 2024

ParentSquare Tips & Tricks for Staff

As we approach the end of the first month with our new ParentSquare tool, it's exciting to see the amount of Posts from our classrooms across the district:  GREAT JOB!    

 Pro Tips for Staff:

• Set office hours for your parents and students to know when you are available:
• Open ParentSquare > Click My Account (upper right corner) > Select Office Hours
• Set availability. Click Save.
• Outside of your office hours, parents will be notified you are away.
  
  
• How to schedule parent teacher conferences on ParentSquare?
• Online training: 3 days next week M-W. 3:00 (Sept 30th, Oct 1st, 2nd)
  Same Google Meet link meet.google.com/qkx-mcdo-ixy
• To add your cell phone for notifications (NOT visible to students or parents), see the last section of this KB article:  ParentSquare Contact Information 

COMING SOON:

Watch your email for VIRTUAL training opportunities to learn how to create Appointment Slots!

TTSD Digital Resource Menu Updates:

http://digitalresources.ttsdschools.org

• New Approved Tool for high school (grades 9-12):
• KnowT (flashcards, study guides, "learn mode", etc.)

• New AI approved tools for STAFF and STUDENTS:
• 
  
  
• 

  
  
  

AI or Not to AI....

• Many of our online tool vendors are integrating AI tools into their product (Canva, Screencastify, Grammarly, etc.)
• In the classroom, these tools might be useful in providing students learning opportunities they may not have had in the past (like in programming, advanced writing, etc.).  However, there may be situations where students must demonstrate proficiency in a standard before they are ready to use artificial intelligence to further their skill and understanding.
• As a result...TTSD has produced the "AI Guide for Educators" to support classroom teachers and students.
• Teachers: Per assignment or included in your Syllabus, be explicit when introducing the assignment whether the use of AI tools are:
• Not allowed
• Allowed with citation or 
  
• allowed/expected without citation.
• ...by using the colors on the stop sign to provide a visual queue for students
• See pg 6 of the TTSD "AI Guide for Educators"

•  REMINDER for ALL:
• Never enter personal information into GenAI tools
• Always remember GenAI tools are: 
• Not perfect
• May often contain incorrect or biased results
• Require iterative and interactive engagement by the user (it's NOT a search engine)