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TechBytes

May 14, 2024

TechBytesMay 14, 2024

Upcoming Dates

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  • May 6: Elementary Grading Window Open
  • May 24: Elementary Grades Due
  • May 31: Deadline to input Physical Fitness Scores
  • July 15: Final 3189 Chromebook Deactivation

EdTech Integration: End of Year Review Activities

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Make your own Wordle game! — Use WordRodeo to create custom Wordle games for your students. You can customize the number of guesses, add hints and include a message for those who solve it successfully.
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Connections is a puzzle game where players have to find four groups of four items that share something in common from The New York Times.


Objective: Group 16 words into four mystery categories.

Example Word Groups:

Word Type Example: Ocean, lake, river, pond. Connection: all bodies of water.

Wordplay Example: Pencil, eraser, paper, sharpener. Connection: All school supplies.


Using this game in class

Create a Connections game with words that are all related to earth science, or maybe your class is studying Ancient Greece and you want to spice up your vocabulary practice. Click the picture to create your own Connections game.

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Click the image above to learn more about each strategy.

  1. Graffiti Wall
  2. Quiz Maker
  3. 3-2-1
  4. Tweet All About It
  5. Sketch Artist
  6. Word Wizard
  7. Sculptor
  8. Brain Dump
  9. Word Puzzler
  10. Four Corners
  11. Record, Rotate, Reveal
  12. Desk Demonstration

ITS & EdTech Updates

Old Device Collection

If you are a teacher who is still using a Chromebook and/or a Lenovo ThinkPad in addition to your new PUSD laptop, we need your old devices. The 3189 Chromebooks will be deactivated as of July 15th and need to be collected. The Lenovo ThinkPads need to be refurbished to go to other staff members who do not have a device. If you have one of these devices, please turn it in (with the charger) to your site tech or a centralized location, such as your library or front office, for collection.

3189 Chromebook Deactivation

The remaining 3189s in circulation will be deactivated as of July 15th. At the end of the 2023-24 school year, please turn in all 3189 Chromebooks to your front office or library for collection by your site ITS technician.


At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, staff members in need of a device can put in tickets for a replacement.

ITS Separation Information - Staff & Students

For staff members who are leaving the District (now or at the end of the school year), they need to make sure they've followed the steps below before their last day of employment.

  1. Return all devices (laptop, cell phone, hotspot). Workstations stay installed at the work location.
  2. Download or Transfer all files and export Canvas content (if applicable).


These steps should be started a few weeks before the last day of employment to ensure everything has been completed before then and so they can reach out for assistance if needed.


Graduating seniors can transfer their content in a similar way. Please see the information linked below for detailed steps and reach out to ITS with any questions.

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Application Changes for 2024-25

Due to changes in budget for the 2024-25 school year, the following applications will no longer be paid for by the District:

  • Nearpod
  • Learning A-Z/Raz+
  • Edulastic/Pear Assessment
  • Newsela
  • Scholastic (print and digital)
  • Avanza Level Learning (Spanish ONLY)


For alternatives to some of these applications, please check out the resources linked in the Smore below.

EdTech - Innovative Technology Services

Email: EdTech@pusd.us
Website: pusd.us/its
Location: 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA, USA
Phone: 626-396-3699