Photos on iPads, PowerTeacher Gradebook email functionality, and Safety and Security

1.  Adding Pictures to Google Drive

If you are a teacher who uses iPads to take pictures, there are two options to move your photos from the iPad.  Please click here for directions on using Google Drive for picture files (to save and/or to print).   *Reminder, please remove pictures and videos from the iPads when they are no longer needed.

2.  PowerTeacher Gradebook Email Function is now operational.

After a tremendous amount of research, the e-mail functionality is operational within PowerTeacher Gradebook.  This function will allow you to e-mail parents that have inputted their information into the PowerSchool Portal, and should send you a copy of that e-mail within your Pennridge e-mail account.  Please see the tutorial developed by Cara Gurysh, the Media and Technology Integrator at Pennridge High School.  

3.  Safety and Security (contributed by Diane Miller, Director of Technology)

I want to ensure that everyone is aware of and comfortable with the paging capabilities and the emergency button on the new Cisco VoIP system.

Paging

Paging is accessible from each phone in the district by dialing a 6-digit extension.  The codes for all-call building wide paging are listed below.  It is your building code + 5501.  Deibler is different as they are set up to do some additional zone paging. The DAO is part of the HS paging system and can be reached separately or as part of the High School.

• Bedminster – 535501

• Deibler – 545506 – *different than other schools*

• Grasse – 555501

• Guth – 975501

• Sellersville – 985501

• Seylar – 525501

• West Rockhill – 605501

• Central – 705501

• North – 855501

• South – 995501

• High School – 115501

• District Administration Office –  115502

• High School and District Administration Office – 115503

Once you dial the extension, you will hear several tones and you can begin to speak.  This can be done from an admin phone or a classroom phone.  It is even possible to page between buildings.

Please make sure all staff members know the building all-call number.

Emergency Button

The classroom phones have an Emergency Button programmed.  This is NOT for 911 emergency calls.   This button rings multiple phones including the principal/vice principal/secretary/security (HS) in your building.  It is to be used when someone has to be reached QUICKLY in the event of a classroom/hallway emergency that does not require an immediate 911 call.  Once someone picks up the phone, the other phones will cease ringing.   The person who picked up first now ‘owns’ the call and should take the necessary actions to deal with the situation.   If an event occurs where you have to call 911 directly, you may do so by either dialing 911 or 8911.   The Emergency Button should not be used as a speed dial to get to the front office.

Click here for an Excel sheet listing those employees who receive the emergency call in each building.   The phone display will show Classroom xxx – Emergency. 

Please use this link to sign-up for 21st Century Learning Night!

Pete-C

PETE-C

Please take a look at some takeaways from the Pennridge teachers and administrators that attended this year's PETE-C Conference in Hershey Pennsylvania.  This Sway presentation (linked here or embedded below) offers a great deal of insight from the conference, and other great ideas will continue to be featured in upcoming posts.

Math App, Microsoft Updates, and Skype

1.  Math SchoolKit App (for iPads)- 

Recently approved for the app catalog is a phenomenal app for the iPads that includes math manipulatives.  Some features include money, drawing coins, 100s chart, arrays, fractions, number line and number tiles, 10 frames, bar graphs, shapes, and more!  Definitely worth checking out to use in your math class!  Seesaw Users- The kids can screenshot their work and upload to Seesaw quite easily!
     To view other apps on the Elementary App Catalog, please click here!

2. Microsoft Updates

Your computer should be restarted at least one time per week.  By doing this, you will notice that its functionality is more efficient because essential Microsoft updates can occur.

3.  Skype

Last week we shared some ideas for using Skype in your classroom.  This week, we saw classes visit Jefferson's Monticello, The Lincoln Museum and Library, George and Martha Washington, and Mount Rainier National Park.  If you need help contacting presenters, please let us know.  In addition, if you haven't added a Skype you took part in to the Pennridge Skype site, please take a minute to do so!  Pennridge has been traveling all over the world!

                                                              Click the picture to enlarge!

PowerSchool, Outlook, and Skype

Power School Drop Down Menu

Please make sure that, when viewing your grades in the second quarter, that you have selected "2017-2018" school year in order to see your current students.  It is easy to miss when changing menus for grading purposes.

Desktop Outlook E-Mail

By far the best way to view your e-mail at Pennridge is through the Outlook desktop application, which can be found in the Start Menu.  A more exhaustive calendar, a word processor interface for writing e-mail, and task lists that help organize upcoming due dates are a few of the features available.  Perhaps the best part of all - you don't have to type your username and password.  Check out the 15 second tutorial on how to set it up and a basic overview of Outlook's features.

Presidents' Day Skype Opportunities

The Microsoft Educator Community offers some excellent opportunities for most any lesson idea, including President's Day.  These Skype opportunities can be done all week, so it is a great way to work President's Day into your Social Studies lessons sometime in early February. 

• Inside the Vault at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum
• Mystery Skype at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum
• Visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Save the Date!

May 29, 2018

6:30 to 8:30 P.M. 

Pennridge High School

Snipping Tool, VPN, and Online stories and podcasts

1.  Snipping Tool- 

 The snipping tool has been a user favorite in the past 6 months!  Once you use this tool, you'll never remember what you did without it.  To snip/cut a part of your screen, simply select the Window button in the bottom left, and choose Snipping Tool.  Then hit create new and use your mouse to snip around what you need.  This is especially helpful for screenshots, tutorials, making presentations, and so much more!

2.  VPN directions

Here are the reminders for logging into the Pennridge Network from home.  There are many reasons why you may want to do this.  Please note:  It is also imperative that you are on the Pennridge Network for signing into OTS.
Teacher Issued Devices Directions

3.  K-8 Online Stories and Podcasts 

Many teachers have been using Storylineonline.net (they just added some new books),  EPIC! books, or similar sites for online libraries, but I wanted you to also know about this wonderful site for listening to online stories, podcasts, and more!  Please take a moment to look at Kid Lit TV.  

Outlook Email, Voicemail with a Bonus tip, and Safety

Happy Short Week of School and hope everyone is staying healthy!  Special thanks this week to guest author Diane Miller, Director of Technology.  

1.  Outlook Email Signature-  

A reminder that it is best to use the Outlook App version of Outlook 2016, rather than the online version.  The functionalities are better, especially with calendars and contacts.  To be sure you're using the App version, simply go through the Windows button at the bottom left of your screen.  Search for Outlook 2016.  Once open, you can right click on it in the bottom dock of your computer to "Pin to Taskbar", which will allow a one-click process each time you check your email.  

All Users- please be sure to have your email signature updated.

 To accomplish this follow these instructions:

1.       Open a new mail message

2.       Choose the Insert Tab

3.       Choose Signatures

4.       Edit the Signature you are using with the updated information

5.       Save it

Teachers, please make sure your updated voicemail extension (222xxx) is in your signature as that is how people will leave messages for you. 

Also, as per direction from Dr. Rattigan, please make sure your signature has your position and your location in it.   Remember, you can internally call any other school with the 6-digit extension.    You do not have to dial the outside number any more.

Example:

Thomas Jones-3^rd Grade Teacher

Grasse Elementary – 215-723-7501

In District Ext:  ######

Voicemail:  222123

2.  Voicemail/Email Relationship

Common Question: I get an email indicating I have a voicemail but when I go to check my messages, I do not have a new message.   What happened to it?

Answer:  Think of the voice message and the email as one and the same.   If you read the email (just open it or click on it; not necessarily listen to the message) it will no longer be a ‘new’ voicemail, but will be in your saved messages when you retrieve from the phone.   If you delete the email, it goes into your deleted messages on the phone.  It works inversely as well.  If you listen to a message on your phone that is ‘new’ and you save it, the email will be in a ‘read’ state in Outlook (no longer BOLD).  If you delete a message from your phone, the email will be moved to the Deleted folder in Outlook.

To change the status of the message from ‘saved’ to ‘new’ via your email,  mark the email as ‘read’ by right clicking on the email and choosing the option “Mark as Read”.   It will now be a ‘new’ message when you check it on your phone.

BONUS Phone TIP! – Did you know you could bypass any user’s message (hello, you have reached the desk of Joe Jones….) simply by pressing the # key.  

3.  Scams, Spams and Viruses-

If you receive an email about updating your software, a potential virus on your computer, an invoice that needs to be paid, or something similar that sounds suspect to you in any way, please close it immediately and contact the helpdesk at helpdesk@pennridge.org. Sending a screenshot of the suspect email is best.  Do not forward the email to someone else.  Do not open any attachments or click on any links from companies you are not familiar with. If you think you have opened a malicious attachment or clicked on a malicious link, immediately shut down your machine and contact Diane Miller directly at 122341. Remember, the FBI will never send you a message stating you have a virus!  Microsoft will never ask you to send your password to them!  And your bank will never ask for your account number!  In addition, never call any phone numbers that pop up on your screen or give out any credit card or school information without checking with the district technology department first.  Always best to be over-cautious when dealing with potential viruses or hackers!  

Microsoft Sway- An alternative to Powerpoint

Happy New Year!  Are you looking for a different way to have your students present their information?  Tired of Powerpoint?  Microsoft Sway is the way to go!  Sway makes it easy for professional use for presenting information, but is also very user-friendly for students to create great looking presentations quickly and efficiently.

1.  Check out these Sway examples recently created by students in the district:
4th graders:
https://sway.com/IqlKt1NKmVEaRDvE

https://sway.com/qhwfkCK9QqZQRQkG

Professional Use of Sway:
https://sway.com/zG1FDUUzc2SMMQsi

2.  To get to Sway, simply click on Office 365 in your bookmarks, find it in any of the eLibrary sites, or click here!  You will use your Office 365 credentials to sign in, so for most people your log-in will look something like this:  E#####@psd.pennridge.org.  Your password is the same you use for your computer password.

3. Here is a 2 minute video of the basics of Sway, if you are interested.  And as always, I'd be happy to share more with you and/or your students at any time!

Have a great day!