VanWeekly

• ANNOUNCEMENT - Vanweekly will be BI WEEKLY
• Impact Plans
• Tech Tip Tuesday - Season 2 Episode 2
• L👀k What Canvas Can Do! - Parent Observer Accounts
• What's new in Ed-Tech

📣 Vanguard Members—Let’s Talk Impact! 📣

We’re off to a strong start this school year, and it’s time to celebrate the positive changes rolling in with the Impact Plan! 🎯

Have you explored the incredible tutorials and AI support embedded throughout the modules? They’re designed to make your journey smoother, smarter, and more impactful than ever!

🚨 First Deadline Alert!

The Setting the Stage Module is due on August 22nd—don’t let it sneak up on you! ⏳ Remember: modules won’t unlock until all work is completed, so don’t delay. Go ahead and check it off your list today ✅

Let’s keep the momentum going and make this year one for the books!

—Megan Endicott, Vanguard Lead Coach

Need help? Reach out to your Impact Plan Coach for support. (Click here for a link for your coach’s information)

We've started the Second Season of Tech Tip Tuesday! Please Follow, Like and Share!

If there any tips you would like to share out please reach out to Adriana De Lap @delapa@fultonschools.org

DId you know there's an app for that?

FCS has provided access to many different application on Canvas. REDIRECT is one that can help you create a permanent link for your students to access a URL that is used frequently in your course.

How to get to it?

In your Canvas course go to:

1. Settings -> Apps

2. Type in "Redirect"

3. Paste the Appropriate URL

4. Provide your Link with a name (Example: Textbook or Planbook)

5. Click on "Show in Course Navigation"

6. Click "add app"

7. Refresh your course -> under Navigation move where you can drag and drop it to it's new place.

8. Click Save

Instructional Technology Back to School Site
Please be sure to visit the Instructional Technology Back to School site and familiarize yourself with the changes and updates that have been released for FCS provided digital resources. Lots of AI enhancements!

Effective classroom technology enhances communication, engagement, and learning. Tools like Canvas and Seesaw provide educators, students, and parents with accessible platforms to support academic growth. By integrating these tools, teachers can create interactive lessons, students can showcase their learning, and parents can stay connected to the educational process, fostering a stronger home-school partnership.

Integrating Canvas into the Classroom:

By using Canvas's comprehensive suite of tools, teachers can create interactive, multimedia-rich lessons that enhance student engagement and streamline instructional delivery. The platform allows for seamless communication and feedback, enabling students to submit assignments, take part in discussions, and receive timely feedback from their teachers. Its integration supports student engagement while allowing parents, through Observer Accounts, to track progress and stay involved. This connection fosters a strong home-school partnership, enhancing student success.

Integrating Seesaw into the Classroom:

Students can create a digital portfolio on Seesaw, showcasing their work and reflecting on their learning journey. They can include multimedia elements such as photos, videos, and written reflections. Teachers can provide feedback directly within the platform, guiding students’ growth with comments and activity prompts. Parents can interact with their child's portfolio by leaving comments and discussing the content at home. This communication not only strengthens the home-school connection but also encourages students to take pride in their work and develop critical self-reflection skills.

Need more support?

If you are interested in having a KSU iTeach Coach support you in your classroom while you incorporate these resources please reach out to Mindy Ramon, Coordinator for Instructional Technology training at ramonm@fultonschools.org.

Elementary AI Training: Fundamentals of Generative AI in Elementary

Fulton County Schools is expanding its commitment to responsible AI use with new training and instructional support for the 2025–2026 school year. Following last year’s successful rollout for grades 6–12, all elementary teachers and school leaders will now complete the Fundamentals of Generative AI in Elementary training, ensuring a strong foundation in AI literacy across all grade levels.

In addition, middle and high school teachers who are new to Fulton County Schools or did not complete the required training last year must do so this year.

All principals should have received an email from Heather Van Looy containing their school’s enrollment link. If you need to take the course, please ask your principal for the link to enroll.

Required AI Syllabus Statement for Middle and High School Teachers

As part of this initiative, all middle and high school teachers are required to update their course syllabi with the district’s revised AI statement:

Responsible AI Use Encouraged with Teacher Permission

Students are encouraged to use AI tools responsibly in this course with teacher permission to assist with their learning and assignments. AI can serve as an aid to enhance understanding and interaction with course content, within the boundaries of academic integrity. All AI-generated content must be accurately cited, and students are responsible for the correctness of their submissions, including any content derived from AI tools. It is essential to critically evaluate AI outputs to ensure they meet academic standards. Use of generative AI without proper citation is considered a violation of the Fulton County Schools Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

In addition, the district is launching SchoolAI, a secure, education-focused artificial intelligence platform designed to enhance teaching and learning while protecting student data.

🔗 To learn more about SchoolAI, visit the SchoolAI page on the Instructional Technology Hub. Self-paced training is also available from within the SchoolAI platform.

This week’s newsletter includes:

· Every Child Reads Campaign

· Enrichment Programs

· Services for Exceptional Children SEC Mathematics

· Services for Exceptional Children Co-Teaching Supports

· Pre-AP Math Update

· Assessment

· Instructional Technology

· Professional Development

· From the Teaching Museum

Here is the link to this week’s newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/cdg3tv

Click HERE to give someone a shoutout, tell us your big news, or share some PD opportunities!

Check the Vanguard website for links to XP forms, membership information, and more!

Click here for the website

Instructional Technology Website

Click here for the link.

Connect with the Leadership Team

Executive Leadership

Lead Coach - Megan Endicott

Associate Lead Coaches - Patricia Thomas, Kurt Davies

Leads

Events - Renee Morris & Aisha Perry

Marketing - Katie Pardee

Communications Lead - Adriana De Lap

Vanchise Lead - Deatrice McFadden

School Leads - Crystal Walton

Impact Coach Lead -Brooke Archer-Everett

PD Lead - Emily Davis, Renee Diggelmann, & Aisha Perry

Engagement Lead - Nefertiti Singleton

New Members - Schunn Gonsalves & Tammie St. John