As previously communicated, there are some changes coming on February 28th at 3:00 regarding GCSD students and their access to some Google products. None of this impacts staff access to any resource. It may, however, impact how some instruction is delivered.
This is NOT a Greece decision, and will affect all districts in New York state.
We've compiled the following FAQ to address concerns and help you be informed and prepared for this change. Included in this FAQ is a response to every topic from the questions we received as a result of our email to all staff on this subject on February 3.
What services are NOT affected?
The following Google Core Services will not be affected:
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Slides
Google Sheets
Google Classroom
Google Calendar
Google Keep
Google Meet
Google Sites
Okay then, what tools are we talking about here?
Students will no longer have access to these tools:
www.YouTube.com
Google Translate*
Google Photos
Google Maps
Google News
Google Earth
Google Groups
Chrome Web Store
*Students will still be able to use most functionality in Google Translate. See below.
Whoa, YouTube? I use YouTube in my instruction regularly! Does this mean I can't do that any more?
You can absolutely still use YouTube in your instruction. In fact, the ways that you can use it are ways that we generally recommend anyways. There are a variety of methods- many of which remove ads, are interactive, include assessments, and more.
For a one-page reference for tools that will and won't work going forward, click HERE.
For a self-paced Nearpod lesson designed for staff to learn about each of the available tools, click HERE.
What about Google Translate?
The oral language input of Google Translate is an important feature for English language learners who are not literate in their first language (typically our elementary aged newcomers, but it could be others). What oral language translation tool will be available for these students?
Students can continue to use Google Translate via the app on their Chromebook, with most functionality, as shown HERE. The website translate.google.com won't be accessible, but students can either use the app, or a site such as https://itranslate.com/translate
Students can still translate documents within Google Docs by choosing Tools -> Translate Document. Websites can be translated in Chrome by going to the three dots in the upper right and choosing "Translate." Or you can right-click anywhere on a webpage and select Translate to [Language].
You can also translate using Google Lens as shown HERE.
In short, the only change will be that students can't access translate.google.com directly. The other translation functions will continue to work.
What happened?
In December 2024, Superintendents were notified that Google’s Additional Services (see list below) are not covered under the contract of Google’s Core services, and therefore not compliant with NYS Ed Law 2d. There is a directive from NYSED to disallow student use of Google Additional Services by March 1st, 2025.
Why did this happen?
Google has firmly resisted complying with the regulations of NYS Ed Law 2d in regards to their Additional Services. This is separate from their Core Services, as described above, which are covered by NYS Ed Law 2d.
What is EdLaw 2d?
NYS Ed Law 2d protects student data privacy by requiring schools and third-party vendors to follow strict security protocols. It ensures that vendors sign privacy agreements and gives parents the right to access their children's data.
I use Google Forms for test/quiz for American Sign Language. I make the signing test questions and upload to YouTube then insert that video into the Google Forms question. Is this process for videos in Google Forms NOT going to work? How will Google Forms quiz format allow signing videos for a visual language?
This will work as it currently does.
Many of my students use YouTube to listen to music while they are doing independent work. What alternatives will be available to them for this purpose?
Due to licensing issues and inappropriate content, most music streaming sites are blocked. Pandora is not blocked.
Will students who use district provided iPads for behavior plans and reinforcement be able to access the YouTube app?
As long as the students do not log into the iPads with their GCSD accounts, they will not be blocked.
Google Photos- does this mean their own images/videos taken with a Chromebook will not be accessible?
Students can still upload these photos to Google Drive or access them locally on the Chromebook. This won't be an automatic sync, but can be done manually.
Will this affect staff use? I have a few YouTube videos I show when presenting lessons, can I still access them?
There will be no change.
How do I get additional support?
As always, please reach out to the ITT's if you would like additional assistance.
