Back to School '22: Need-to-Know DL News

Welcome back, all! Your Technology Integration team truly hopes you had a relaxing summer with plenty of opportunity for resting and doing as little as possible!

The fall start brings with it a lot of hurry, stress, and uncertainty that takes days and weeks to resolve. We're wishing you continued peace as things threaten to cause you anxiety. Take those small moments to relax, reset, and reframe your situation - here are some quick and helpful resources for doing this!

Now, in the spirit with which we send any communication to you - - that is, to make your job easier, not harder - - here are some things in WRSD digital learning that are new, better, or different this year.

Elementary Schools: New Eureka Math Components

Last Spring, WRSD worked to secure additional print and digital materials to accompany our Eureka Math program. The digital platform that we use, called Great Minds (and available in your Clever Portal), now holds the following Eureka tools:

• Digital Suite - a robust digital teacher guide for the entire curriculum
• InSync - home to lesson videos, slide decks, and other digital instructional materials 
• Affirm - a flexible digital assessment and reporting platform
• Equip (new for 22-23!) - pre-assessments and teacher guides to better differentiate instruction

Click on any tool link above to view brief video walkthroughs for each digital workspace.

Middle Schools: Reveal Math and Inspire Science

WRSD has adopted a new 6-8 math curriculum and updated our existing 6-8 science curriculum. Conveniently, materials for both of these publications are available through one digital platform: the new McGraw Hill link on your Clever Portal will get you there.

Professional Development on August 29 will cover these two programs and their features on the web. There are many ways to integrate this content with other technology tools like projectors/interactive boards, Google Classroom, and more! As always, Technology Integration staff are here to assist you as we learn this new platform together.

6-12: New 1:1 Program Agreement

WRSD has developed a new parent/guardian agreement form that best reflects our current expectations when middle and high school students use district-owned Chromebooks. Caregivers will acknowledge these expectations by reading and signing the form within PowerSchool. This form accompanies - and doesn't replace - expectations and consequences as listed in your school's Student Handbook. The full text of the agreement form can be found here.

Everyone: Google Updates that Matter

Google is always pumping out a pretty steady stream of product updates, many of which impact Education users like us. We pick through this pile and try to highlight the most impactful new features. Here are a few that are new since summer began! Click to learn more.

• Add dropdown menus, checklists, and even assign Tasks in Google Docs!
• New Appointment Schedules in Google Calendar might replace your current booking site
• Get notified of edits to an important Google Doc
• Set different accessibility preferences for Docs, Slides, and Sheets
• Use different colors to categorize events in Calendar

There's much more to come this year from the Technology Integration team. We're looking forward to partnering with you this year to get students excited, engaged, and leveling up their understanding.