IT News and Notes - June 2020

Password Security

Recently, there have been a couple of local districts who have had security breaches with important student and staff data being accessed by unauthorized users. Most of these cases can be avoided by having everyone follow a few simple rules when it comes to district password protection. Please read these carefully and take the necessary steps to help our district maintain the highest level of security.

Don’t tell anyone your password. Keep your passwords safe by keeping them to yourself.
Always log off if you leave your device. It takes only a moment for someone to steal or change a password.
Avoid entering passwords on unsecured wi-fi networks (coffee shop, airport, etc) or on computers you do not control.
Most importantly, please do not write your district password on a sticky note and leave it with your computer or on a nearby desk.
Please also plan to change your password periodically. This must be done when you are in the district in order for the password to sync across all systems. Here are the steps to change your password on your MacBook. Again, this must be done while you are in the district. Click Here for Password Reset Directions

DIGITAL PROMISE - FREE WEBINARS

Digital Promise and Verizon Innovative Learning Schools are hosting f ree webinars every Tuesday this summer to help teachers integrate technology into learning, whether in the classroom or remote. Topics include Google Drive, Chromebook Basics, Video Creation using an iPad, Nearpod, SeeSaw, Google Docs to name just a few. Find all of the topics, times and registration links below.

Digital Promise - FREE WEBINARS

IT Support and Video

In IT Tips and Tricks this month learn some more helpful hints to keep your when using your Google Drive.

FEATURED STAFF MEMBER THIS MONTH

Stephanie Nowak - 4th Grade Teacher at Fairfax

Stephanie Nowak is a fourth grade teacher at Fairfax Elementary. Stephanie has a passion for teaching and also a desire to share the many strategies that she uses with her colleagues not just here in Mentor but statewide. She is a common contributor with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and has found a number of different ways to have an impact on education through district and state initiatives. Stephanie's latest involvement came in a three-part series sponsored by the ODE called a "A Tale of Two Teachers." During her presentation, Stephanie highlights her use of technology for remote learning. One focus of the presentation was on a Digital Notebook. Stephanie worked with her PLC teammates Jackie Hill and Rachael Cindric and created a Digital Notebook which they used throughout remote learning to share content and document student learning. During the webinar, Stephanie did an AMAZING job sharing the many tools she used to keep her students engaged during this time and creative ways of how she assessed her students learning. This video is well worth the time and can help every teacher generate one or two new ideas as we potentially prepare for a future that may include some more of this type of learning. Here is Stephanie's Google Slide presentation from the video. Thank you, Stephanie, for your passion to teach and your willingness to always share!