No. 2 - July 2023

 


It's been a great summer so far! In this issue, I'll recap a busy June in the tech department. I'm excited to introduce our new website, detail changes to our student email accounts, and update you on our technology refresh at the middle school. In addition, we had an issue with our voicemail system for a few days in June that I'd like to describe. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog!

New Website

A new website is coming in July! We are scheduled to go live on July 10th. Let's look back at the process:

In September of 2022, the RS Tech Department sent emails to over 50 area schools inquiring about their experience with the companies that designed their current sites. We took this feedback, studied the example sites that were provided and narrowed the list of prospective design companies to 6. 

A committee was formed during that time to evaluate proposals and example sites. The committee consisted of the tech department and district teachers. When we received the RFP’s, we evaluated them fairly using a form based on a scoring rubric. After scores were tabulated, Apptegy was awarded the project. They have been awesome to work with and the new site is dynamic, easy to navigate, and easy to manage. 

Changes to Student Email Accounts

Student safety is a top priority for our department. Two further protect our students, I have made a change to student email accounts. In the past when a student emailed someone, the recipient received the students full name and the school they attend. That information makes it pretty easy to find the student on social media. 

To prevent this, I changed the student accounts to from their full names to a combination of their graduation year, first name, and last name. For example, if Elvis Presley was a junior at RS, his email would have changed from elvis_presley@roland-story.k12.ia.us to 25ElvPre@roland-story.k12.ia.us. 

No student data was lost during this process. And, the old emails were entered as aliases for the new email address. In other words, students can still receive email at the old address. The transition was was successfully made in mid June. 

MS Chromebook Refresh

According to our technology replacement schedule, the Roland-Story Middle School is set to receive brand new Chromebooks this summer! Our department went through an extensive evaluation process with 6 different models last spring. Then, a group of middle school teachers was asked to do their own evaluation on the devices. Three hundred-fifty new Chromebooks will be arriving soon!

Voicemail Issue

I wanted to also let you know that we did have an issue with our voicemail system for a few days in June. Several voicemails were lost during this time. If you tried to get in contact with a school employee, left a message, and didn't hear back. It is most likely because the voicemail never made it to the recipient. I apologize for that but the issue has been fixed.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to hit that follow button above!


Eric Padget

Technology Coordinator

Roland-Story CSD

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