Technology Assistance / Technology @ NWSA

Please use the tabs below to access information about technology in our school. Mrs. Slater is our primary Tech Contact and is located in the Media Center. If a student is having technology issues, they should complete the form below.

If necessary, students may visit the Media Center with a signed Agenda for assistance with technology. However, please use the resources below to try to troubleshoot or get help before reaching out. Lots of items that students come to Mrs. Slater about can be remedied by utilizing the information below.

Teachers have the ability to:

Reset LaunchPad passwords

Reset PowerSchool passwords

Powerwash a Chromebook

LaunchPad
��ý LaunchPad Information

When first signing into LaunchPad:
- Students will need to first login to the ��ý LaunchPad from a ��ý Chromebook and not from a ��ý Windows device.
- Username is student ID number (this will not change)
- Default password: Pwyyyymmdd��ý
  - If the student's birthday was January 2nd, 2013, then the password would be Pw20130122��ý
- Student will then be prompted to change their password that fits the following criteria:
  - at least 13 characters long with at least 3 of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numerals, or special characters
    
    If you are trying to create a new password and it says it does not match the criteria, even if you think it does, you need to keep trying until you find a password that it accepts. There is no workaround.
  - After students change their password, they will have to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on their ��ý LaunchPad account.
    
    Students will create a 6-digit PIN
    
    Students will need to remember their PIN to complete future logins.
    
    If forgotten, please let Mrs. Slater know.
    
    If a student is having difficulty completing the initial login process with the new password, they should see Mrs. Slater in the Media Center.
Chromebooks
NWSA is 1:1 with Chromebooks.

��ý Technology Devices & Support

Student Internet Use & Network Access
- Please refer to this document for expectations around use of ��ý Technology.
Chromebook Damage/Repair Fees

Damaged Technology Device $15
Damage to Chromebook, including damage to keyboard and ports.

Lost or Stolen Technology Device $50
Lost or stolen Chromebook.

Miscellaneous Technology - Lost Part of Tech Device $5
Lost part of Chromebook including cases, part of the power supply missing, etc.

Technology Chargers - $10
Lost or damaged charging cords for Chromebooks.
PowerSchool

Students access PowerSchool by logging into , which can now be accessed through LaunchPad. Parents can access PowerSchool at . See below for how to create an account for the PowerSchool Parent Portal and other PowerSchool-related information.

How to Access PowerSchool Parent Portal from a Computer:

Step 1: Open an Internet Browser such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer

Step 2: Go to

Step 3: Click the Tab that says “Create an Account”

Step 4: Enter your information and then enter the student's first name and last name, the Access ID and Access Password as found on the Access ID letter from your school.

Step 5: Each student will have a unique Access ID and Access Password

Step 6: Click Enter

You may have to call the school to receive the Access ID and Access Password again.

980-343-5500.

The importance of PowerSchool is that it allows parents and students to log into a secure account from home, school or work; access real-time assignments, grades, and attendance; request reports; email teachers; and more.
ParentSquare
Dear Families,

We are excited to let you know that our school is now using ParentSquare! With ParentSquare, you’ll be able to:
- Receive all district, school, and classroom communication via email, text, or app
- Use direct messages to reach your child’s teacher(s)
- Easily sign up to participate in parent-teacher conferences and other school events
- …and much more!
To take advantage of all of ParentSquare’s features, please register your account. You should have received an email with those instructions (please check your inbox, spam, and junk folders). It takes less than one minute!

If you have not received an invite, or need another one, please reach out to Mrs. Slater.

We also have access to a free ParentSquare app. You can install this app on your iPhone or Android device for quick and easy access to all school-related communication; simply search for “��ý ParentSquare” in the app store.

If you’d like to learn more about ParentSquare, you are also welcome to take ParentSquare’s short training courses for families, offered in English and Spanish, located .

Thanks,

Faculty and Staff
Hotspots
T-Mobile Project 10 Million FAQ
- What is the Project 10 Million?
  - Project 10Million is an initiative aimed at delivering Internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households. The program offers free internet and free mobile hotspots.
- Who is eligible?
  - K-12 students who do not have internet access at home.
- How much data is available with these hotspots?
  - This service comes with 100GB of mobile data per year.
- What can a student do with 100GB of data?
- How does a student receive a hotspot?
  - Email or message Mrs. Slater on ParentSquare and request a device. She will submit a ticket to the district and one will be provided by the district.
Troubleshooting

Try Restarting

Sometimes, the best thing to do is just restart your Chromebook. Simply sign out and sign back in or go ahead and shut down, which might be your best bet at the end of each day to help eliminate potential problems.

Update ChromeOS

Check and make sure that the operating system on the Chromebook is up to date. To do this, click on the time in the lower right, go to Settings and then '��ý Chrome OS.' Click on the button that says, 'Check for updates.' If there's an update found, go ahead and update.

If you're not using your Chromebook, check and make sure your Chrome browser is up to date. Click on the three dots in the top right of the browser and go to Help > ��ý Google Chrome. You'll see towards the top if Chrome is up to date. Go ahead and update if it's not.

Clear Cache & Cookies

When all else fails, sometimes it's best to start by clearing your cookies & cache. Go ahead and restart once you're done. To do this, click on the three dots at the top right, go to 'More tools' > Clear browsing data and then select 'All time' and check all the boxes it'll allow you to, then click the blue 'Clear data' button.
Other Technology Resources
The Digital Navigator program is designed to ensure that everyone in Mecklenburg County can find and connect with available digital inclusion resources.

Digital Navigators will help community members navigate to and through:

Signing up for affordable home broadband internet service

Purchasing affordable technology

Basic device and connectivity issues

Learning new digital skills

How it works:

Call 311 to get connected with a digital navigator

A Digital Navigator is assigned to respond

The community member and the digital navigator work together to accomplish the goal
Microsoft Account & Free Microsoft Office

If you need Microsoft Office for your personal device, . This is only for personal devices and cannot be installed on Chromebooks. Students can login and use, as well as access using their "organizational account." This is the same username and password used to log into the Filter. Username: studentID#@cms.k12.nc.us Password: YYYYMMDD (birthdate)

Chromebook & Charger Purchasing Info

Need a replacement charger* for your ��ý Chromebook? Want to purchase a Chromebook for your household? (You can even purchase the same type of Windows laptop that ��ý teachers use!)

*You can pay for a new charger through the portal and then come by the school to pick up a charger or purchase one yourself via . Please note, though, that you will still need to return a charger with your Chromebook or else be charged $10 at that time.

Have a technology-related resource that you think deserves to belong here? Email Mrs. Slater!

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