May 2021 Technology Newsletter
By: Michael Kealy
Staff Laptop Collection 6/24 & 6/25
I am writing to let you know the Technology Department will be collecting laptops from all staff members as we approach the end of the school year. Collection of equipment will allow the Technology Department to perform updates on devices. We will not be collecting laptop chargers, but will collect Chromebook chargers.
Staff Laptop Collection Will Be: 6/24 & 6/25 7am-3pm at BHS
We will be asking staff members to drop off district issued laptops at the entrance to the BHS Library. This will give us the ability to utilize the BHS Lobby to allow for social distance.
*Staff members that were issued a district Chromebook should return the Chromebook as well.
Collection Process
It is preferred that each staff member returns the equipment issued to his/her.
To better assist the Technology Department, staff will be required to complete a brief "Technology Collection Survey" which can be found HERE, prior to returning your laptop. This survey will help the Technology Department repair any issues with your machine and help set it up correctly when it is returned to you.
If you have an extenuating circumstance and cannot return your laptop on either 6/24 or 6/25 please submit a technology help ticket and we will work with you to schedule an alternative time.
Things To Consider
During the updates the content on your laptop will be deleted including, but not limited to, photo's, video's, documents, etc... In preparation for the collection process you are strongly advised to back up your content to Google Drive. If you need additional assistance please submit a Technology Help ticket prior to 6/18.
If you have unused, broken, or obsolete technology equipment in your classroom that needs to be removed please submit a technology help ticket ASAP. Please include a description of the equipment, whether it works or not, and the specific location in which the equipment can be found. During the summer a member of the Technology Department will remove the equipment. Please do not send technology equipment to the Technology Department, a ticket must be submitted.
When will laptops be ready?
We anticipate laptops will be available to be picked up beginning the week of 7/5. We will send an email communication when they are ready. If you have an extenuating circumstance in which you need your laptop sooner, please send a technology help ticket and we will work with you to accommodate your need.
Thanks again for your hard work!
Regards,
Mike
Student Chromebook Repair and Collection
This year the Technology Department will only be collecting Chromebooks from 12th grade students. 12th grade students should check their email during the month of June for collection information.
Email threads with recipients outside your organization will be labeled “External”
What’s changing
Google is adding a new “External” label to email threads that include recipients outside your organization. This adds to the existing external recipient warning banner, which is displayed when responding to emails sent from outside of your organization.
The “External” label will be visible on Gmail on the web and Android devices. We will provide an update when this feature becomes available on iOS.
Who’s impacted
Admins and end users
Why it’s important
The “External” label and the reply warning banner and label are helpful reminders for users to treat external messages with caution. This can help avoid unintentionally sharing confidential information with recipients outside of their organization.
Check when your Google Meet meeting codes expire to ensure smooth future meeting experiences
Quick launch summary
Google Meet meetings can be scheduled across Google Workspace products, such as Calendar, Gmail, Google Chat, and more. This means your unique meeting code and its expiration are based on the product that your meeting is created from.
Most meeting codes will expire 365 days after the last use, but there are instances where the meeting code will expire instantly once the meeting ends.
See below for a complete breakdown of meeting code expirations according to the product they were generated by. These meeting code expirations will take effect beginning May 19, 2021.
Google strongly recommends you use the table below to ensure your meeting codes are valid, especially for meetings you plan far in advance.
Getting started
- Admins and end users: We recommend reviewing the meeting code expiry limits to ensure your meeting codes are valid, especially for meetings planned far in advance.
Teachers now have the ability to send a link to an individual student using Relay Classroom
Enhancements:
- Teachers now have the ability to send a link to an individual student.
- With this release, teachers will be able to help individual students stay on track without disrupting the entire class
Present from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly to Google Meet
What’s changing As part of Google's mission to build the future of work, today they announced smart canvas — a new product experience that will make it easier for people to stay connected, focus their time and attention, and transform their ideas into impact. In the coming months, they will be announcing new features that will make collaboration a more flexible, interactive, and intelligent experience. Specifically for more collaboration flexibility, you can now present content from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides directly to an active Google Meet call. As a result, you can present with fewer clicks, and then once you’re presenting, you can see your audience and your content at the same time back in the Meet tab.
Class of 2021 - Students Should Migrate Their Data Before They Graduate
NYSCATE and NYSED offers Free Webinars and Online Courses for all NY Educators!
NYSED shared theofficial Press Release offering expanded Professional Development opportunities for all New York educators and parents. NYSCATE will be rolling out a total of 40 online courses between now and December, releasing 5 new titles per month beginning in May. In addition, Parents as Partners, a webinar series, will be presented every Wednesday at 7 p.m.. A Tuesday webinar series for teachers offered weekly at 7 p.m., with all webinars archived and available on the www.nyscate.org website.
Student and Mother (Principal) Face Charges For Misusing Computer Network and Student Information System
Offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices (third-degree felony)
Unlawful use of a two-way communications device (third-degree felony)
Criminal use of personally identifiable information (third-degree felony)
Conspiracy to commit these offenses (first-degree misdemeanor)
Applications Open Wednesday 5/12 for FCC's $50 Monthly Discount on Internet Bill
Americans can begin applying for $50 off their monthly internet bill on Wednesday as part of an emergency government program to keep people connected during the pandemic.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE FOR THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT?
Your household is eligible if you receive food stamps, have a child in the free or reduced-price school lunch program or use Medicaid
Any household with income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines is eligible, as are those who had a substantial loss of income since Feb. 29, 2020 or lost income during the pandemic and are at or below $99,000 for single filers, or $198,000 for joint filers.
You can get the discount even if you owe your phone or cable company money. That's important because some people have been barred from low-cost plans offered by internet service providers when they owed their service provider money. More than 800 cellphone and home-internet companies are participating, including AT&T, Charter, Comcast, T-Mobile and Verizon.
There are a variety of ways to qualify. Visit https://getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify/ to see all eligibility requirements and find out if you qualify.
What Will Classrooms of the Future Look Like?
While school planning, design, and construction are regulated by the NYSED Dept of Facilities Planning, and I don't expect to see students riding through hallways on scooters anytime soon, I can't help but wonder how teachers can change the existing classroom experience?
Check out the video's below of some corporate offices that have changed their design, and think about how you can redesign the classroom experience.
Michael Kealy
Beacon City School District
Email: kealy.m@beaconk12.org
Website: https://www.beaconk12.org/domain/24
Location: 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon, NY, USA
Phone: 845-838-6900
Twitter: @techkealy