Technology Department
Spring Edition 2026
Technology Updates!
Our mission is to support and enhance the educational experience by delivering reliable, innovative technology solutions—while keeping our staff, students, and community informed about what’s happening across the district.
In this Spring 2026 edition, you’ll find updates on recent improvements to our technology infrastructure, a look ahead at upcoming projects, and helpful resources designed to support both staff and students in making the most of our digital tools. Our goal is to foster a connected, collaborative environment where technology enhances teaching, learning, and communication.
We’re excited to share what’s ahead and continue building a stronger, more connected Douglas Public Schools community.
Need Support? We’re Here to Help
- Staff: Please submit all technology-related questions or issues using the IT Help Desk Request Form.
- PowerSchool (Staff): Use the PowerSchool support form available on the Staff Share site.
- Parents/Guardians: For questions about the Parent Portal or PowerSchool (including the mobile app), please email parentportal@douglasps.net.
We appreciate the opportunity to support Douglas Public Schools and look forward to continuing our work with our staff, students, families, and the broader Douglas community.
Visit the Douglas Public Schools Technology webpage for quick access to important technology resources and support information throughout the school year.
Resources include:
- Parent Portal assistance
- Chromebook information and guides
- Online forms and registration support
- Optional Chromebook insurance information
- PowerSchool and district mobile app resources
- Technology support and help desk information
We encourage families and staff to bookmark the Technology webpage for easy access throughout the year.
Douglas Public Schools is excited to announce two upcoming Parent Technology Support Nights this summer to help families prepare for a successful start to the new school year.
Members of the Technology Department, along with an AKKO representative, will be available onsite to assist families with a variety of important technology-related tasks and questions, including:
- Creating and setting up a Parent Portal account in PowerSchool
- Completing and submitting required online forms
- Signing the Chromebook Care & Use Guide
- Downloading and setting up the PowerSchool mobile app
- Downloading the Douglas Public Schools district mobile app
- Registering for the optional Chromebook insurance program
- Answering general technology questions and providing support
Event Dates & Location
📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📅 Wednesday, August 19, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Douglas High School Cafeteria
The goal of these support nights is to help families stay connected with the district and ensure students are fully prepared for the upcoming school year. By offering hands-on assistance before school begins, we hope to make the transition into the new year as smooth and successful as possible for everyone.
We encourage all families to stop by, ask questions, and get the help they need. Whether you need assistance setting up accounts, completing required forms, or navigating district technology resources, we are here to help.
We look forward to seeing many families attend and appreciate your partnership and support as we prepare for another successful school year together.
Douglas Public Schools is excited to announce a new initiative for middle school students beginning this summer.
All current Grade 6 and Grade 7 students will now take their assigned Chromebook and charger home for the summer and return with the same device on the first day of school in the fall. As part of this change, the district will no longer collect Grade 6 and Grade 7 student devices at the end of the school year.
Current Grade 8 student devices will still be collected at the end of the year so they can be cleaned, updated, and redistributed to incoming Grade 6 students for the following school year.
This updated approach is designed to:
- Help students build accountability and responsibility
- Better prepare students for the high school take-home technology model
- Reduce unnecessary device collection and redistribution processes
- Allow students continued access to educational resources and online learning tools over the summer
- Provide families with ongoing internet and technology access for educational use, communication, and enrichment opportunities
Students will be able to continue using their devices throughout the summer for educational activities, summer assignments, research, learning programs, and other school-related needs.
Students are expected to keep their Chromebook and charger in a safe location and return with both items in the fall.
If a device becomes damaged over the summer, families may report the issue directly to the Technology Department and arrange to drop off the device for repair.
We believe this transition is an important step in preparing students for greater independence and responsibility as they continue through Douglas Public Schools.
If families have any questions or need assistance, please contact parentportal@douglasps.net.
We appreciate the continued support and partnership of our students, families, and staff as we continue improving and modernizing our district technology programs.
Douglas Public Schools is pleased to announce a new partnership with AKKO to offer an optional Chromebook insurance program for students.
This program provides comprehensive, $0 deductible coverage for the full school year and includes protection against accidental damage, theft, and loss.
Program Cost
- Grades 6–12 (Take home): $29.99 per year
- Grades 2–5 (in-school use only): $22.99 per year
All parents/guardians who wish to participate must register no later than September 25, 2026. Please note that this is a firm deadline.
While enrollment in the program is optional, it is strongly encouraged. Student devices are used daily, and accidents can happen. Families who choose not to enroll will be fully responsible for any repair or replacement costs associated with damage, loss, or theft of a school-issued device.
A detailed breakdown of repair and replacement costs can be found here: CHROMEBOOK FEE STRUCTURE. The fee structure is also outlined in the Chromebook Care & Use Guide (attached).
Chromebook Care & Use Guide Requirement
All students and parents/guardians are required to review and sign the Chromebook Care & Use Guide no later than September 25, 2026.
Please note:
- The form must be signed by both the student and parent/guardian
- All forms will be available online
- Forms may be completed and submitted from any internet-connected device at any time
After September 25, 2026, any student without a completed and signed form on file will have their device disabled until the requirement has been completed.
How the Program Works
- A student device is accidentally damaged, lost, or stolen
- The issue is reported to the Technology Department
- A loaner device is issued to minimize disruption to learning
- The device is sent to AKKO for repair or replacement
- Real-time updates are provided throughout the process
- The repaired (or replacement) device is returned to the student
We are excited to offer this program as a way to reduce unexpected costs for families while promoting responsibility and care for student devices. Additional details, including registration instructions and links, will be shared soon.
Douglas Public Schools is excited to continue offering online registration and digital forms through our PowerSchool platform as we enter Year 2 of this initiative.
These tools continue to streamline the registration and beginning-of-year paperwork process for families while improving efficiency, communication, and record management across the district.
Online Registration for New Students
Parents and guardians of new students can complete registration information online and receive important updates and notifications directly through email — reducing the need for multiple trips to the school for paperwork submission.
Please note:
- Online registration is ONLY for new students entering Douglas Public Schools
- Returning students do not need to complete online registration
- After submitting online registration, families will still need to contact the appropriate school office regarding additional paperwork, residency verification, and enrollment information
Digital Beginning-of-Year Forms
All beginning-of-year forms are available digitally through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Families can:
- Log into the Parent Portal
- Navigate to the Forms section
- Complete and submit all required forms online
This process helps:
- Reduce lost or incomplete paperwork
- Improve filing and processing efficiency
- Enhance communication between schools and families
- Provide families with a more convenient and accessible experience
Important Reminders for 2026–2027
✅ All online forms are required and must be submitted through the PowerSchool Parent Portal
✅ Paper copies will no longer be distributed or accepted
✅ All forms must be submitted no later than September 25, 2026
✅ Families needing assistance are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Technology Support Nights this summer
✅ Assistance is also available by emailing parentportal@douglasps.net
Moving Forward
We are excited to continue expanding these digital tools and improving the overall experience for families and staff. Our goal is to make registration, communication, and required paperwork more efficient, accessible, and convenient for everyone involved.
Douglas Public Schools will be upgrading our server infrastructure this summer as part of our ongoing commitment to providing reliable, secure, and high-performing technology for our students, staff, and community.
We are grateful to the Town of Douglas and the Capital Committee for approving this project at the May Town Meeting. A great deal of research, planning, and collaboration went into developing this solution, and we are excited to move forward.
What This Project Includes
- Replacing aging server hardware
- Upgrading Windows licensing and operating systems
- Transitioning from our current virtualization platform
- Implementing a fully tested disaster recovery (DR) solution
- Providing updated documentation and staff training
Why This Matters
These upgrades will:
- Improve overall system performance and reliability
- Reduce long-term operational costs
- Strengthen disaster recovery and data protection capabilities
- Better support teaching, learning, and district operations
This transition will not only modernize our infrastructure but will also position the district for success over the next 5–7 years.
Looking Ahead
This investment lays the groundwork for continued technology improvements across the district and supports our long-term vision for a stronger, more reliable technology environment for students and staff.
Thank You
We sincerely thank the Town of Douglas and the Capital Committee for their continued collaboration and support throughout this process. We look forward to delivering improved performance, reliability, and technology services for the upcoming school year and beyond.
Douglas Public Schools is excited to continue enhancing technology and computer science opportunities for our students through the ongoing development of an upgraded computer lab at Douglas High School.
Thanks to continued support through a grant-funded program, we are once again able to invest in modern, high-performance technology designed to support the growing needs of our computer science and PLTW (Project Lead The Way) courses.
The updated lab features new, state-of-the-art computers capable of handling the demanding requirements of engineering, programming, design, and other advanced coursework. These upgrades provide students and staff with improved performance, reliability, and access to the tools necessary for hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
This continued investment allows Douglas High School to:
- Support advanced PLTW and computer science curriculum offerings
- Provide students with access to industry-relevant technology
- Enhance creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
- Create a more engaging and future-focused learning environment
We are proud to continue building a space where students can explore innovation, develop technical skills, and prepare for future academic and career opportunities in STEM-related fields.
We look forward to seeing the incredible creativity, collaboration, and innovation that will continue to come from this growing program and learning environment.
Douglas Public Schools Selected for the Municipality Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program
Douglas Public Schools is pleased to announce that we have once again been selected to participate in the Municipality Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program (MCAGP) for both the Spring and Fall 2026 training cycles.
This continued partnership reflects our district’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity awareness and protecting our staff, students, and district systems in an increasingly digital world.
Thank You to Staff
We would like to thank all staff members who have already completed the Spring 2026 cybersecurity training modules. Your participation and commitment to improving cybersecurity awareness across the district is greatly appreciated.
Important Reminder
If you have not yet completed your assigned Spring 2026 cybersecurity modules, please make every effort to complete them prior to June 30, 2026.
Please note:
- The district will also participate in the Fall 2026 MCAGP training cycle
- Any incomplete Spring 2026 modules will still need to be completed in addition to the Fall assignments
- Completing the Spring training now will help reduce the overall training workload later in the year
Why This Training Matters
Cybersecurity awareness is more important than ever — both professionally and personally. These trainings help staff:
- Identify phishing emails and online scams
- Protect sensitive district and student information
- Improve digital safety practices
- Strengthen overall cybersecurity awareness
What to Expect
The training program is designed to be:
- Short and manageable
- Informative and practical
- Relevant to real-world cybersecurity situations
Monthly phishing simulation campaigns will also continue as part of the program to help reinforce cybersecurity best practices through safe learning experiences.
Our Goal
Our goal remains the same: to educate, support, and strengthen cybersecurity awareness throughout the district — not to penalize mistakes.
We appreciate everyone’s continued participation and support as we work together to maintain a safe, secure, and informed digital environment for Douglas Public Schools.
Stay smart. Stay vigilant. Stay secure. 🔒
As we continue modernizing technology across Douglas Public Schools, future initiatives will focus on continued infrastructure improvements, including core network upgrades, staff device refreshes, and enhancements to classroom technology throughout the district.
We look forward to continuing this work and sharing additional updates in future editions of Tech Bytes.