Technology Dept Info and Updates
August 2022 - Welcome Back Edition - updated 8/9
Welcome Back!
Welcome back and Greetings to all of the new staff joining the CVUSD Team!
This edition will have information about changes and updates for CVUSD technology:
- **New** Login procedures for Aeries
- Migration to Google Meet as primary video conferencing software
- Student Chromebook Device Settings Changes
- YouTube Restriction Levels will be re-activated
- Upcoming - New Help Ticket System IncidentIQ *Sept/Oct
Aeries Login Procedures Have Changed
We are simplifying and improving security for Aeries. On July 18th, 2022 we switched to Sign in with Google for Aeries authentication.
If you have an Aeries account, you will now need to login to Aeries with your Google account.
**(If you have both an Aeries Teacher Portal account and an Aeries Web account, use Sign in with Google for your Teacher Portal account described below; and for your Aeries Web account your current login method.)
Google Meet - CVUSD Primary Video Conferencing
Starting in the 2022-23 school year, we will be transitioning to Google Meet as our primary video conferencing software. While Zoom has been useful, video conferencing has dropped significantly as we no longer have Distance Learning programs.
Starting in August 2022, we will no longer be supporting Zoom for individual use. We will maintain large meeting Zoom Webinar accounts that will still be available for larger meetings. Staff with special video conferencing needs can work with their site / department admins for Zoom licenses if needed.
**All Zoom licenses will be expired at the end of August except for:
- District Office, Facilities, Business related accounts
- Site administrator accounts
- Large Webinar accounts
- If teachers/staff need a Zoom license they should work with their site admins for approval and email requests to Greg Ko.
The significant cost savings will be utilized to support other CVUSD programs.
Student Chromebook Device Changes - Apps/Extensions restrictions
The following changes will be made regarding Student Chromebook Devices. This change is necessary to support Chromebook performance and student safety.
Student Accounts will no longer be able to download and access the Google Play Store. Only approved apps and extensions will be allowed.
- An approval process has been created for staff and students to apply for apps/extensions to be reviewed and added to the approval list.
- See the application Google Form here.
YouTube Restriction levels will be re-activated September 2022
YouTube Restriction Levels will be re-activated at the beginning of September 2022.
During CVUSD Distance Learning and Hybrid Instructional Models, our reliance upon online videos, instructional content, and other digital YouTube content required us to remove these restriction levels to support teacher assigned instructional content. With Distance Learning programs are no longer the norm, we are re-activating YouTube's Restriction Levels as follows:
Elementary Sites: Strict YouTube access
Secondary Sites: Moderate YouTube access
*Staff can utilize the Staff Override feature for teacher accounts. *The link is good and trustworthy, we are working to clear.
YouTube utilizes restriction levels for education accounts. They are described below:
- Strict Restricted YouTube access—This setting is the most restrictive, but it doesn't block all videos. Strict Restricted Mode filters out many videos based on an automated system, while leaving some videos available for viewing.
- Moderate Restricted YouTube access—This setting is similar to Strict Restricted Mode, but makes a much larger collection of videos available.
- Unrestricted YouTube access—Use this setting to turn off both Restricted Modes (Strict and Moderate). Only apply this setting if you want to let users in your organization have unrestricted YouTube access.
*YouTube meets CIPA compliance for schools
Quick Links to Bookmark
From CVUSD Website ->Staff Resources -> Frequently Used Forms a lot of links to forms, documents, and other forms
Aeries Teacher Portal - for Daily Attendance
Frontline - To record teacher absences or staff leaves
IssueTrak - make all of your Technology, Maintenance requests using our Help Desk System
New Help Ticket System Coming Soon!
We are in the process of migrating away from IssueTrack to a new system that will support our staff and students with their 1:1 device technology needs as well as site maintenance requests. This summer, the Technology team in coordination with the Maintenance Department will be setting up our new system and will do a phased rollout across the district. Until your school site is notified, please continue to use IssueTrack for your tech support requests.
The new system will benefit us by:
- Submitting tickets will be simpler and easier to submit (with a new calendar scheduling feature to better coordinate support)
- Students will be able to submit their own technology tickets.
- Responses and updates can be made via email rather than having to log into the system!
Spam and Phishing Emails
Many of you have received email phishing attempts with your CVUSD email accounts. These emails have stated that they know your usage, have video of you, and are demanding some form of payment. Mark these as spam as it will help Google Gmail identify and filter similar emails. Google Gmail is our email service provider.
What are Phishing Emails?
Phishing emails try to get the user to click on or reply with information. These emails are often sent in large blasts to organizations or groups of people from hacked accounts. Many phishing emails have improved their levels of deception by including small tidbits of personalized information such as name or email addresses or even city of residency. The goal is to fool you into clicking on links and either giving more information, or inadvertently downloading malicious programs.
Rule of thumb: If you do not recognize the Sender - Do Not Open!
Internet security is a team effort. Everyone using responsible practices keeps us all safe!
Can you spot the Phishing Email? Take the Quiz
https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com/Email Password Security - When have you last changed your password?
As spam and phishing attempts are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous, email password security is an essential to protecting your information and data. Strong email passwords are considered to be at least 8 characters including a Capital letter, lowercase letter, number, and special character. Consider using a PassPhrase that is easy to remember and even longer than 8 characters. Sample Passphrases can be: Icaneat4piecesofPizza! or Mydogsnameis@lfred1. Think of your own common PassPhrase that is easy to remember.
Digital Security is everyone's responsibility and a team effort!
To change your CVUSD email password, follow the directions here: New Email and Email Password Change
CVUSD Guest WiFi Password
We have changed the password to the cvusdguest WiFi.
The new password is cvusdguest22.
**CVUSD Staff should not use this network (use the CVUSD_Staff)**
Important Technology Links at your Fingertips
Important Technology links can be found here:
cv.k12.ca.us > Staff Resources > Frequently Use Forms > Technology Department Quick Links
Peter Vallejo's Technology TOSA Website for all of your How To's
Taking Care of Chromebooks
Now that students have their own Chromebooks, how can we extend and maximize the life of our CB's? Creating strong classroom practices will help support at-home use.
CB's are designed to be inexpensive and affordable internet-accessibility tools. The units that we buy are <$300. While the units that we buy are designed for the rugged student population, there are really some things that you won't get for the price we are paying.
Follow these tips to help maximize our Chromebook life:
1) Students should handle with care - elementary students should have a two-hand carry policy. Broken screens and cracked cases from dropped devices are generally not worth the cost of repair.
2) Charging ports and cables break easily. The charging ports are often broken by the repeated use of plugging in/out. Did you know that CB's have a battery life of 8+ hrs? They only need to be plugged back in at the end of the day, or maybe every other day. Consider their total usage and plug them in when needed (rather than between periods).
Technology Quick Links
Peter Vallejo's Technology Distance Learning Website
Please see the CVUSD Technology Website . This page has information for Google Account info, Chromebook FAQ, and Parent/Student Tech Support Request.
Technology Department Staff Changes
We are pleased to have Samantha Brown (sbrown@cv.k12.ca.us) and Rita Ochoa (rochoa@cv.k12.ca.us) join the Technology Department.
Samantha and Rita will both be in our Student Information Systems Specialist seats and will support Aeries, CALPADS, Clever, and other back-end student software integrations.
Congrats to Steve Mei on his retirement!
Technology Department Staff
Greg Ko, Director of Technology
Yann LeRoy, Computer Operations Technician
Ricardo Guzman, Computer Operations Technician
Chi-Wei Lee, Computer Operations Technician
Harry Hui, Computer Operations Technician
Nalong Vongtharangsy, Computer Operations Technician
Samantha Brown, Software Systems Specialists -Aeries Support
Rita Ochoa, Software Systems Specialists - Aeries Support
Michael George, Network System Admin