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 ***