Some are still a bit confused or lost with where things are at.  The old GSD Portal is gone.  All that was "in there" were links.  The links have been moved to one of two places which you have been directed to.  But here is an issue I am seeing...  You are NOT getting the log in screen on the left.  

1. Never log in here.  That sign in box is for parents.  ON a school device which you are logged into you only need to  click sign in with staff (circled).
2. Screen never loads for you and you're taken right into Focus.  Therefor you never get all the other links you need such as your paychecks and W2'!  
3. LOG OUT.. Anything you sign into - Sign out of!  In focus if you LOG out of it and then open it up again...  You should see the Employee Portal button below! (Not sure why they made the button so small! - If you are in Admin mode... It is on the right!)

For the last decade and beyond I have asked, added and managed all the same links on the school website and on the links page for the students.  As always I am happy to add any that are missing but you gotta let me know!

School AI - WOW - ​schoolai.com/
​Create your school account and play!

You get to create an idea, send your students a code and watch them work in real time!  Pretty slick.
The example I did was to chat with an (a?) historical figure.   I do NOT know much about it but it is pretty easy to figure out.  DON'T BE SHY.  Be the cool teaching and try it!

As the teacher you will see students on the left and if you click on one name all their content will show on the right side.  You can pause and end the whole thing or individuals.  It is quite powerful and cool tool.

There are tooo many options to explain.  I highly suggest winging it and playing with it to try it out.  Don't be shy - it is new to everyone!  Below are just the featured collections!  There are many more options as well.

I am going to keep playing with the AI thing... Bye!

You may have noticed many students are getting locked out of their accounts.  This is due to suspicious Out Of Country log-ins to their accounts.  Sometimes these are legit if a students goes on vaca.  If they are using a proxy on the phone or computer they may also get blocked.  This is a NEW security thing from IS and MS.  You may thing who would want to hack into MY account from oversees.  Because then the violator can send e-mails from YOU to the rest of us in GSD to purchase a baby grand piano!

Like it not your account has been attempted to be compromised.  I know you probably don't believe me so check!

1. Go to office.com and log in.
2. At the top right click your emojicon and select view account.
3. On the left click on "My Sign-Ins"
4. In the second column check the locations.  Keep scrolling keep scrolling....
   1. Me?  I have never been to "Greater London",  "Tamil Nadu India" or NYC.  Then why did my account have an unsuccessful login attempt?  Good Question right?
5. Pretty Crazy!  Please be sure you have a good password!
6. Click "Secure your account".  The theory is that from now on you will get a message if there is a sign in attempt from an unknown computer.  Although I am not sure if you're gonna want to know!  I am sure you can Un-Secure it later.

Find out.

1. Go to haveibeenpwned.com/ and type in your e-mail address. 
   This is a legit site - Even suggested by our own IS.
2. I have been pwned 22 times.  None my fault but sites we use have been hacked and our e-mails "stolen"

Take it another step.  At the top click on Passwords

1. type in your password.  I held my breath was told by our IS dept. it was okay...
2. I have "0" pwns on My pw!  Yeehaw!
3. My other pw has been pwned once.  I have been using that password for about 20 years!  Not a bad record but time to change it!  Problem is WHERE am I using it...

Don't care cuz it is just work?  Try your personal accounts!

Here are some set-ups and BASIC instructions.  Copy your set-up and ADD/edit details as per you and your room!  Be sure the instructions are available to your subs.

1. PC and projector.  Old school (but still works s-l-o-w-l- y!)
   (This should go away as per district but I let you keep them.  Good or bad?  -> YES!)
2. PC and smartboard (still, just a projector!)
3. PC and Boxlight. 
   1. There should be NONE of these - Too old with too new!
4. Laptop and projector with dock (the current standard)
   1. If you leave your laptop - they can use that. All is good.
   2. They can plug their checked out laptop into your dock. ​​​
   3. Dock with external DVD player to show DVD.
5. Laptop and Screenbeam
   1. Turn projector on
   2. Input as HDMI (1 or 2) per room.  Follow instructions on screen! (Windows/K...)
6. Laptop and Boxlight
   1. Do you have your TV set as a monitor in your dock?
   2. Don't have them use Unplug'd from a sub laptop unless you leave the the IP address of your TV!
   3. Plug HDMI and USB wires in
      This might be easier since the sub may not know the name of your boxlight!)
7. Boxlight ONLY  (easiest for subs.)
   1. Have the sub use the Guest account on your Boxlight.  You can save documents  and links there.  Probably the easiest thing to do!  
      
   2. On the first gen of boxlights there is NO account feature but they can still use the Boxlight ONLY.
8.  I am sure I am missing some
   1. Lecture Hall
      
   2. Alumni Room
      
   3. Computer lab
      
   4. Music areas
      
   5. PE areas
      

Reward for reading all this!... AND showing having your tech/sub  instructions
I like the word of the day.  Let me know what it is and come get your external DVD player!  I have two...

There is a Whiteboard APP for the Boxlights TV's.- I played with it last year and it worked great. 

Using Lynx app on the Boxlight / PC
This tool is similar to Note but it can be saved and worked on with your computer. Using the app.  So you can prepare lessons beforehand.
 
On your laptop…

• Go the Microsoft Store. (search using the Windows icon at bottom left)
• Find, download and install the Lynx Whiteboard app.
• Create a Lynx account on your laptop

PS… this is much easier if you plug a keyboard into the USB ports on your tv.  Wired or Wiresless!

• Click the waffle on the Home screen
• Click the Orange Cleverstore button
• Create an account with your school e-mail
• In the store… Find the LYNX Whiteboard app and click on it.  If it is not on the home screen you can search for it on the top right.
• Click the “Try the free edition” (green button) / next
• Then “Go to My Apps”
• Then click “Download”
• The app will in stall in the “waffle” with the other apps. 
• Log in as you did on your PC.  It SHOULD sync between your computer and the APP on the TV!

Website link is at - https://boxlight.com/products/apps-for-the-classroom/lynx-whiteboard

REWARDS
If you read all the way down here and do NOT have a wireless keyboard please come tell the "Word of the day" and get your keyboard.

The magic word is = ... click here...

Wait - What is Edge? 
Edge is Microsoft's new browser that replaced IE a few years ago.  Being the Google people that we are we have gotten used to our bookmarks and how Chrome works along with our school Google products.  But if you click on on a link sent to you in an e-mail Outlook may be opening that link in Edge.  First be sure Chrome is your default browser on your PC.

If you would like to know what ELA novels we have...

1. Go to Destiny.graniteschools.org find our school and log in at the top right
2. Click on "Catalog" at the top. 
   ​- In the WHITE drop down box that says "View All" there are 3 options.  Library, Resources or View All.  YOU will need to be in Resources or View All.  NOT Library.
3. Left side "Resource Search"  (you could type something in but why...:))
4. Click on the "Browse Resources" tab
5. Click on "Novels"
   One more thing!  
   

WWID - Click on Show all (pages) then Ctrl + F to find on page!  Easier and better than "searching" destiny!

There are currently 106 different novels, and is very dynamic as teachers request more and more books.  On the right side it shows how many we have and if other schools have any as well.   Please be sure that any library books are checked in and out so we can keep an accurate count.  These books are for you!

As many of you start to use your microphones, you may notice that it does not work or does not work well or hold a charge.  The microphone system has been in the building since it opened  in 2013.  The system was even upgraded in 2019(ish).  However if you have not used your microphone the battery may have reached it's end of life.  If you are having issues please let me know and we can you a new battery and get your system working.

We do not collect the microphones they are expected to be stored in your AV closet or plugged in at your desk for use during the school year.  Each room classroom should have their own. 

Once you start using it, the worst part is the regret you have for not using it sooner! ;)

I am unaware if the removing of students is up-to-date in Canvas.  Again it is just a PITA for teachers and students.  Students and actual grades should be correct in Focus (however see above!).  From my district level Canvas​ peeps... "Our night upload of data is adding new students buy not removing the dropped students. - There is a ticket in and it has been escalated"  

Please do NOT send students down to get a second chromebook.  We barely have enough Chromebooks for our students.  If they forget theirs on test day... Take advantage of the teacher moment and KARE -  ACCOUNTABLITY.

I just spent the last few days scanning and inventorying our Textbook room and thought I would let you know what textbooks we have and how many!  We have been told by our admin to not have student textbooks in  classrooms.  Students should come to the library and check them out and BE RESPONSIBLE for them.  (Of course there are always exceptions!)  So here is what we have!
 
To see what textbook are available log in to Destiny.  Every school uses Destiny so be sure you are at Olympus Sr.  Top right corner Log In with your AD credentials. (Link to Destiny)

• Click “Catalog”
• Click “Resource lists”
• View any Content area for available titles.
• Click “Details” to see how many we have in the textbook room.  (IF we need more let Julena know)
  (If for instance it says 25 of 70. That means there are 45 unaccounted for – perhaps in a classroom, or still with a student.)  I will be deleted the lost items shortly.

Please let me know if you find any missing textbooks, titles or other errors.  This is for you to know what is available to you.  Also let me know if you have any textbooks in your room that need to come back.

Thank you.