We are excited to launch our Remote Learning Classes for the 2020-2021 school year.  As we prepare for this transition, students need to understand that the expectations for remote instruction are the same as if they were at school and must practice “netiquette” (Internet etiquette).  This is the use of good manners in online communications such as email, forums, blogs, and social networking sites.

Families should know that when students log into their school Google account, whether on a district Chromebook or personal device, they are logging into our district’s network. That means our Internet content filters apply, and student Internet activity is monitored. Students and staff must also follow the expectations outlined in Newfane Central School District Acceptable Use Procedures and Netiquette (information can be viewed on the District Technology Forms page).

In general, students and staff should be sure to:

• Use respectful behavior and language.
• Stick to appropriate topic discussions.
• Send only appropriate video transmissions.
• Use only appropriate icon, emoji, and avatar submissions.
• Be honest and use academic integrity by not plagiarizing or copying others’ workNot falsify information about oneself or impersonate others online.

Put simply, all users should act online as they should offline, treat others with respect and take care to use equipment for its intended purposes.

Specific Videoconferencing Expectations

Google Meet: This is a video conferencing app that allows participants to see and hear the teacher and other students in a group setting. The group can also view presentations and other documents from the teacher. Younger students will need parent assistance in using this service or app (if using a mobile device).

While using Google Meet, teachers will:

Communicate participant expectations including but not limited to:
* Instruct students regarding muting their microphone and turning cameras on or off
* Share expecations as to "raising hands", using chat box, asking questions, etc.
* Determine whether or not to record the instruction.

While using Google Meet, students will:

* Follow netiquette rules
* Follow the school dress code
* Mute the microphone unless directed to do otherwise by the teacher
* Find a quiet space to learn
* Attend remote sessions as scheduled

If you have a technology question that is not urgent, please email our tech department at the following address:  janstett@newfanecentralschools.org

If you need more immediate assistance, please use the following contacts:

1.  Your child's teacher
2.  The District Director of Techology, Mr. Peter Young at 716-778-6462
3.  The Technology Coordinator, Mr. Jeff Anstett at 716-778-6581

If your child's Chromebook or iPad is damaged, please contact the main office of your child's school and make arrangements to drop off the device and pick up a replacement.  Please be advised that, depending on the damage involved, parents may be required to pay for repairs or replacement.

* Our technology specialists do not make home visits.

Parents/Guardians:  If you would like to pick up a free meal for your student, please drive to the back of the High School (by the tennis courts) from 11:30am-12:30 Monday-Friday. If you need delivery please call 716-778-6561.  Meals (free) are provided for all Remote and Hybrid students.

Updated:  September 11, 2020

We have multiple ways to communicate with families who have chosen the remote learning option.  Building administrators have access to a remote learning email group that contains all the email addresses of parents of children who are learning remotely in that specific building.  In addition, we have the ability to send robomesaages by text, email, or voicemail to parents and guardians of remote learners should the need arise to send large group communications.

If parents, guardians or students need to communicate with teachers, administrators, or staff members, all employee email accounts are listed in the staff directory on the website at:  https://www.newfane.wnyric.org/Page/2021

Updated:  09/17/2020

As part of classroom work in Newfane Central School District (NCSD) and in support of the district’s technology vision, we are actively using educational technology tools to help better engage students and provide greater learning opportunities. The district partnered with Google to provide access to Google G-Suite.  G Suite for Education is used by thousands of K-12 schools and universities worldwide and makes collaboration tools available for students to virtually work on documents, presentations, and projects via the web.

Google G-Suite provides the necessary tools and experiences for our staff and students to:

* Use high levels of creativity and innovation
* Develop cross-curricular lessons to explore content deeper
* Experience the digital tools which are commonly used by the larger workforce today

The following collaborative tools are examples of apps that are available in the G-Suite platform:

Google Docs - users create, format, and share documents online
Google Slides - similar to MS Powerpoint, users create, format and share slideshows
Google Sheets - similar to MS Excel, users create spreadsheets, apply functions, share with other students, build charts and more
Google Drive - a place for all users to store their files and share with others as necessary

Privacy and Parental Access to Accounts

Newfane Central Schools complies with the legal requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA, 2000), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The G Suite for Education accounts are property of Newfane Central School District.  This means content in these accounts may be accessed or searched by designated NCSD employees (IT Staff, Administrators, etc.) in accordance with the school district policy.  Emails sent from student to student, or student to staff, are not considered private and will be monitored and audited.

Acceptable Use Procedures

Students should consider their Google account and email as an extension of the classroom, subject to the same rules of respect and courtesy we expect in school. Students are responsible for their own behavior at all times and their strict adherence to the Newfane Central School District Acceptable Use Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why use G-Suite?  Several reasons, including and not limited to the following:
* To provide access to current technology applications and free tools designed for collaboration with other students and teachers;
* To give students the ability to work on their documents in school or at home;
* To facilitate “paperless” transfer of work between students and teachers
* To provide adequate, long-term storage space for student work and student portfolios
* Cost savings in terms of software licensing and document storage

2.  Why do our children need Google accounts?  The integration of both school-owned and student-owned mobile devices has prompted an immediate need for students to be able to save, share, move, and backup content they create to and from devices and computers.  All of these tasks have one thing in common that they all require – an email address.  By establishing a G Suite for Education account for your child, they will have access to all of the above-described collaboration tools and a secure, district-monitored email address.

3.  How are Newfane Central Schools and Google linked?  The Google agreement with NCSD provides access to Google applications and storage. While Google hosts these services off-site, the District maintains the ability to manage users, groups, and settings, much like other locally hosted systems.  This means NCSD can grant and remove user access, and control other settings to ensure a safe and secure collaboration environment for students and teachers.

4.  What personal information is shared with Google?  Google does not request any personal information from students or staff and the District does not provide personal student data (ex. birthdate, address, phone number, grades, test scores) to Google.  That information resides in the NCSD student information system (eSchool) and is not stored nor available to Google.

Formerly known as Google Hangouts Meet, is built to let dozens of students join the same virtual meeting, and speak or share video with their classmates. 

It's meant for use by teachers to connect and engage with their students.  It will be the district's primary source of virtual direct-connection.  All Google Meet visits will be set-up by your child's teacher through your child's email or your teacher's Google Classroom.  

A Google Meet organizer (teacher) can share whatever is on their screen with their students and can control the classes' individual audio and/or video feeds.  Please review the following tutorials to help you get started. 

THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

JULY 15, 2020

Newfane Central School District created a plan for providing instruction to students during the school closure period and are actively reaching out to their students.

Regardless of how long the closure lasts, your child will be provided the opportunity to extend their learning via Google Classroom and Google Meet. If you don't have access to Google Classroom and need to request hard copies of the learning packets, please email us ...

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

How to Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi
To connect to the Internet, use a compatible Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Turn on Wi-Fi

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Not Connected. Note: If you see your Wi-Fi network name and signal strength, your Chromebook is already connected to Wi-Fi.
3. Your Chromebook will automatically look for available networks and show them to you in a list.

Step 2: Pick a network and connect

1. Select the secure Wi-Fi network.
2. Type the network password.
3. Select Connect.

Can’t connect Chrome device to the network
Your Chrome device is currently unable to connect to the Internet and complete the setup process.
1. Make sure the network you’re connected to is properly set up and able to access the Internet.
2. Try connecting your device to a different network.

Technical Support
If you experience issues with your Chromebook not responding, try powering the Chromebook off and turning back on.
We are able to offer limited remote support for issues with your Chromebook. If you are experiencing issues that are not resolved by these steps, please contact 716-778-6581.

Chromebook Cleaning
To clean your Chromebook use a disinfecting wipe or spray cleaner onto a cloth and wipe the surfaces. Do Not Use Bleach on the Chromebook screen. Do not spray the Chromebook directly with cleaner.