EdTech Newsletter

Here is their February Newsletter. Did you know teachers and students can be Canva certified? Click on your image in the top right corner when you’re logged into Canva through ClassLink and scroll down until you see “Design School”. This has options for certifications, courses and more!

Canva Create is on April 10th in LA. Canva is offering free virtual sessions! If you are interested, register today to get a spot. Virtual spots fill up quickly. If you can’t attend live, they will send you the recording.

Is there an EdTech program you have wanted to learn more about? Click here to complete our interest survey! Responses help us schedule different professional development opportunities throughout the school year.

New Flyer - Hot New eKadence Session

We have added new options for eKadence to the Boot Camp in June! If you’re interested, please sign up through the same Google Form. As of now we are filling up, if you want to attend any sessions, PLEASE sign up. We are SO excited to offer these sessions and pay you to spark creativity!

👉👉👉Click here to register today! Spots are limited and filling up!

Our LIVE training sessions for Adobe have finished this school year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore on your own. Open your adobe express tile through ClassLink and click on the learn tab (on the right hand side toolbar). Happy Designing!

We have a pilot program opportunity for this school year! See the flyer below for more information. Here is a video from VUSD staff to share more information about this Learning Management System.

Student Invite Emails were sent on 09/05/2024 to all Secondary Schools (6-12)

StudentSquare is an easy to use and secure communication tool for students and staff.

What you can do with StudentSquare:

● Receive messages from school by email, text or mobile app.

● Send messages to your teachers and staff at school.

● Stay in the loop regarding late start days, extracurricular activities,

and class projects.

● Subscribe to calendars, RSVP to events, complete forms, use sign-up

sheets and participate in groups.

Learn to use StudentSquare
Introduction to StudentSquare English

Introduction to StudentSquare Spanish

There are a variety of parent and staff resources to ensure an effective launch at each school.

Parents—Getting Started Video

ParentSquare Resumen - Espanol

ParentSquare Resources

Getting Started - Teachers

Sign up for a webinar

Pre-recorded webinars

Self Paced Training Course

Here is a video and documentation on Creating a Group.

Staff members received an account activation email for their ParentSquare account during the last week of school.

If Ed Specialists and Counselors need access, please contact your administrator.

Training courses that can be accessed here.

Middle schools and some elementary schools are using iReady assessments, while other elementary schools are using MAP assessment. Please see the list of MAP and iReady schools below.

Teachers and students access iReady on ClassLink, and administrators use login.i-ready.com. Teachers and students access MAP on ClassLink, and administrators use teach.mapnwea.org.

The assessment windows are available on the Elementary Assessment Calendar and the Secondary Assessment Calendar. Staff may record support needs on the MAP and iReady Troubleshooting Document.

• MAP schools: Bobier, Casita, Foothill Oak, Grapevine, Hannalei, Monte Vista, THE Leadership Academy, VAPA.

• iReady schools: Alamosa Park, Breeze Hill, Empresa, Lake, Maryland, Mission Meadows, Madison MS, Roosevelt MS, VIDA, Vista Magnet MS

i-Ready Resources: i-Ready How to Teacher Video, i-Ready How to Administrator, i-Ready Central, Find a Book based on Lexile, AR Level vs Lexile

MAP Resources: Teacher Toolkit, Resource Center

All Vista Unified staff and students have access to Adobe Express for Education. Adobe Express enables students in all grade levels and subject areas to quickly create unique graphics, design custom web pages, record and edit video presentations, and more.

Students can even make animations using the animate-from-audio tool.

Go to: express.adobe.com/a/vistausd.org

To get started, log in and check out a few templates!

Benchmark Universe Login

https://vistausd.benchmarkuniverse.com/

Username: vistausd_edu

Password: password

If you are a rostered teacher and cannot access your Benchmark account, please email Taresa McSpadden.

Benchmark’s contract with Heidi Songs has expired. They did not extend it, therefore there are no longer Heidi Songs in Benchmark online. There are other HFW, Phonics and Letter videos and songs provided though.

If you plan to sync your grades between Canvas and Aeries in the Spring Semester or Term, remember that gradebooks in Aeries SHOULD NOT be linked to each other. Linking the gradebooks in Aeries can cause syncing issues for cross-listed classes. It is best to complete all of your grading via Canvas and then sync to Aeries, rather than doing grading in both locations. If you have an assignment that is completed on paper in class, it can still be added to the Canvas gradebook by creating a “no submission” or placeholder assignment.

Please watch this video that explains how to create placeholder or no submission assignments on Canvas.

You can access ClassLink on the website or through the VUSD folder on your bookmarks bar.

(For Teachers)

Quick Cards Training Video

Quick Start Guide: A student must login one time in order for QuickCards to generate if they are new to the district.

Changing student passwords and Quick Cards

How to Doc

Troubleshooting Doc

How to add an app in ClassLink

If you have any questions, please contact the IT Department Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 3:30pm at servicedesk@vistausd.org or 760-726-2170 extension 92500.

The IT service request can help with technology set up (printers, monitors, etc) and account support. Go to your Class Link and select IT Service Request if you need support.

If you are locked out of your district account/can't remember your password, contact IT-Service Desk. You can call ext 92500 from any district phone or email them servicedesk@vistausd.org.

TOSAs

Taresa McSpadden (Elementary) ext 92117

Craig Gastauer (Secondary) ext 92116

Contact: ZenDesk Service Request

Visit our website: https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/information-technology/educational-technology

Email: edtech@vistausd.org