Technology Tools & Technology Tools & PitfallsPitfalls

Topics of ConversationTopics of Conversation

Welcome & Introduction to Session Technology Tools Technology Pitfalls What Parents Can Do Online Resources Wrap-Up

Parent PortalParent Portal

Allows you to check student course schedule, grades, assignments, etc.

Can be accessed through the “Parent Portal” link on webpage (www.sduhsd.net/cv)

New families to receive a letter in Sept. with username/password/directions

School Network & DriveSchool Network & Drive

Students create individual account/password

Students can save documents/files on school server & access account from home; this alleviates need for students to always bring disks/flash drives to school

Students will create account during first 2 weeks of school

Media Online ResourcesMedia Online Resources

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)

Online databases/encyclopedia (passwords on MC website)

Lunch AccountsLunch Accounts

Online Lunch Account (PayPams)

- allows parents to create a lunch account, fund account, monitor balance & view purchases (www.paypams.com)

School-based Lunch Account

- parents can use cash or check to fund account

- no online access with PCS accound

- PCS lunch account form can be turned in to

office at any time

Other Technological ToolsOther Technological Tools

Teacher websites (most teachers); access through “Staff” link on school’s webpage

Online Newsletter (produced 6 times/year, every 6-8 weeks)

All-Calls (recorded voice messages that are sent home periodically with school updates, news, etc. Content can be accessed on the school’s website through the “All-Call” link

Technology PitfallsTechnology Pitfalls

Social networking sites, chat rooms, etc. Some networking sites can be dangerous due to

information students share online; sexual predators live online; colleges & employers research applicants online

Cyber-Bullying (mostly takes place at home, but sometimes spills over to school)

Cell phones/texting/photos/videos Academic Honesty (plagiarism, cutting/pasting, phones

to photograph exams, etc.)

What Parents Can DoWhat Parents Can Do

Learn about Internet/Cyber Safety Speak with your student & set expectations for use

of technology Actively limit & monitor computer time; keep

computer in a central location in your home Check cell phones for inappropriate

usage/messages/photos/videos, etc. Consider parental control/monitoring software for

computers to which your student has access

Online Internet Safety Online Internet Safety ResourcesResources

www.cyberbully.orgwww.isafe.orgwww.safekids.comwww.netsmartz.orgwww.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htmwww.consumersearch.com/www/software/

parental-control-software/review.html