5-14-2024 Tuesday Tech Tips

     

In today's Tuesday Tech Tips, read all about news on a districtwide energy-savings initiative that impacts Windows devices, an update on Canva access for students, a new and easier way to log into Frontline, and more! ➡️ ➡️➡️

💡 Quick Tip 💡 You can mute a website by right-clicking on the tab playing sound, and clicking "Mute site." Chrome shows you what tabs are playing sounds by displaying this icon: Who would ever want to mute this? This replaces "Mute tab."  It's now "Mute site," and the site will stay muted on all tabs until you unmute it.

Do you have a tip or idea for the Tuesday Tech Tips? Or a request for a topic or question you'd like to know more about? Please let us know! You can email us at joseph.lombardo@greececsd.org with your submission.

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With the goal of reducing unnecessary power consumption in the district, TSS is implementing the use EMCO, a tool which will allow for remotely powering down Windows devices via an automated schedule. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT CHROMEBOOKS.

Windows devices are being powered down at 10:00 PM most days. All of the details, including the scheduled roll out by building, plus directions on how to override the shutdown if you're using the device when it's scheduled to power off, can be found HERE.

Date	Buildings Affected
April 25	Autumn Lane and TSS
May 1	Buckman Heights, Brookside, and Craig Hill
May 8	Early Learning Center, English Village, Holmes Road, and Longridge
May 15	Lakeshore, Pinebrook, Paddy Hill, and Phoenix Academy
May 22	Athena Middle, Arcadia Middle, Arcadia High and Odyssey Academy
June 5	Facility Operations and Transportation
June 12	District Office East and District Office West

Exceptions:

We are waiting to deploy EMCO software at Athena High School and Olympia until after the new classroom (ViewSonic) panels are installed this summer (2024). 

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We are pleased to inform staff that your network password is no longer needed to log into Frontline! Effective immediately, you will log into Frontline directly within ClassLink, or by using the link on the district webpage, which will automatically log you in with your GCSD Google (email) account. If you encounter the error shown below, you must first log into your GCSD Google Account before you access Frontline.

While we're unable to support personal devices, we do have the following tips if you are having issues accessing Frontline on a personal tablet or phone:

• Make sure you are using Chrome (not Safari) or the Frontline app. Please note that the app is for Absence Management only.

• You may need to add your GCSD Google Account to your device.

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Due to a digital safety concern, at this time and until further notice, Canva is not accessible for our K-5 students.  We're working with the vendor to tweak the platform to make it a safe learning environment for students of all ages.

This does not impact grades 6-12 students, or staff at any level.

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Teachers, register for this upcoming PL opportunity offered to all NYS teachers through the Greater Rochester Teacher Center Network, Harnessing the Power of AI to Elevate Student Learning and Engagement, on July 24 from 8-3 at the TSSF. Greece teachers can earn 6 PL hours with no cost to register. See HERE for more information and to register.

Meanwhile, we're looking forward to working with many of you on May 21st on the topic of AI and MagicSchool! We outlined our three-phased plan to roll out MagicSchool in a previous Tech Tips HERE.

Please watch this explainer video, which includes an overview, a brief introduction to the district's approved AI tool, Magicschool.ai, and a new district poster covering "Four Key Guidelines for Using Generative AI."

Remember that our current district-approved and supported AI tool is MagicSchool.

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Looking for PL Hours? Be sure to check out the ITT’s page for Recommended PL HERE. You’ll find upcoming webinar and session opportunities, as well as ongoing opportunities for digital tool certifications and self-paced learning. These offerings are updated frequently so bookmark the site and check back often!

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For assistance with these topics, or anything else related to instructional technology, please click HERE to book an appointment with your building's ITT.