Content filtering explanation

This summer we replaced our old bandwidth management and content filtering server with new, more powerful appliance. I want all staff to know why we did this, what the changes are, and what we plan for the future. Hopefully the benefits will outweigh the inconveniences of the learning curve.

Why we changed
Our old system could only use about half of our Internet bandwidth. So even though we had a 100 Mbps connection to the Internet we could only use about 45-65 Mbps. The new system, called Palo Alto, can handle up to 500-700Mbps, depending on how many services it is running, so we have room to grow. Also, it allows us to prioritize different types of traffic to make sure everyone is sharing equitably.

Where we are now
Currently, we have the full 100 Mbps of Internet speed. Filtering settings roughly match what we had in the past, and we are still tweaking them as we get feedback. The major exception is that if you use a personally-owned device on the "public" wireless network, the system doesn't know who you are, so it applies the most restrictive content filter settings. This will probably be a pain for those of you bringing in personal computers until we implement a workaround.

Where we plan to be
Computers that connect to the "public" wireless network need to know who you are. We plan to roll out a login screen that you will see when you launch a web browser on a device connected to the public network. This will ask you to log in so that you get the filtering rules appropriate to you. We're trying to get this done before school starts, but we need some expert help.

Still have questions? Check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions that we've gotten so far.

IC Video Tutorials

The Campus Community, which I've mentioned before, has some slick videos for how to accomplish common tasks. It also has self-guided walkthroughs and regular old paper documentation that you can print.

The link below is to a special section of tutorials specifically for teachers. If you have not already registered for the Campus Community, you'll have to do that, but it's well worth it.

Knowledge Base > Hands-On Virtual Lab > Teacher HOVL

https://community.infinitecampus.com/kb/display/DOC/Teacher+HOVL

This area will walk you through the following with simulations, documentation and a few videos …

•Getting Started

•Student Info for Teachers

•Grade Book Set Up

•Set up Grading Calculation

•Getting organized: categories & student groups

•Recording Daily Activities & Assignments

•Analyzing Student Performance

•Using Online Assessment to deliver classroom tests

•Instruction Reports

•Student Assignments & Score Reports

•Standardized Test/Assessment Score Reports

•Attendance Reports

•Wildcard

•Submitting Report Card Grades & Scores

•Communicating with Parents & Students

•Messenger

As usual, please let me know how you like it. I think it's almost as good as having your own tech sherpa to help you out. The videos may not have our sparkling personality and wry sense of humor, but they are a lot more accessible when it's 9 PM and you are at home trying to figure out how to set up a seating chart.

New content and security filter in place

Our new content and security filter is in place. As with anything, there is an adjustment period while we figure out the "kinks" and adjust to what is different with the new system.Right now, we are in the process of configuring the content filter rules to be as close to the old system as possible. There are a few notable exceptions.

1. If you are on the public wireless network, you will have limited access because the content filter doesn't know who you are. For students this isn't all that different. But for staff, it will be significantly less access.
2. There is not a way (at this time) to authenticate to the public wireless network once you are connected. This means that you will get the content filtering rules for an elementary student. We are actively looking for solutions to this.

Hopefully, the increase in speed will be noticeable, since the new system can handle our full 100 Mbps of Internet bandwidth (with room to grow) as opposed to the old system, which maxed out somewhere between 45-65 Mbps.

Brief Internet interruptions this afternoon

There will be a number of brief Internet access interruptions (less than 3 minutes each) this afternoon as we configure and install a new network security system. Thanks for your patience.

Changes coming to Google Groups

Starting June 26, Google Apps users will see the totally new and redesigned version of Google Groups that offers a new and improved user interface, collaborative inbox, take and assign functionality, full multi-domain support, advanced search operators, new ways of viewing group content, and much more.
You can take a tour of the new Google Groups at http://support.google.com/groups/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=2459437&parent=9216&ctx=topic

Year-end procedures

All computers must be serviced over the summer to receive security updates, updated program, get cleaned, etc. For desktops, this isn't really an issue- just leave them where they are.
If your main computer is a laptop and you are not a year-round employee, you must turn in your laptop on your last day of work to the IT office. We know that some people get really emotionally attached to their laptop (I can relate), but we need you to part with it for a while so we can keep everything operating well. You can pick it up about a week after you drop it off if you really want it back over the summer.

We need iPads for summer school! Please turn in iPads to your library (if that's where you checked it out from) or to the district IT office (if it is assigned to you primarily).
If you are a year-round employee whose main computer is a laptop, please schedule a time with the IT department when your computer can be updated (i.e., you can be without it for a couple days).
Summer equipment checkout

Equipment that is housed at a school cannot be checked out during the summer. The only items available for checkout are from the IT department in the District Services Office. This is to avoid the problems we've had in the past with some schools not getting their equipment back in a timely manner in the fall. DON'T bring a school computer to the district tech office and expect to check it out.

If you want to check out any piece of district equipment during the summer you must check it out from the IT department.
Summer AV procedures and cleanup
If your room is being used for summer school (which is pretty much all of PVE and half of NKE), please don't pack up your SmartBoard items and AV stuff; the summer school teachers have requested projectors and SmartBoards. Please label everything, though. Summer cleaning involves moving everything in your room into the hallway (along with everything from the other classrooms) and sometimes things get switched around. Labeling helps fix this.

Those of you at all other buildings, please:

• label all movable items
• remove all batteries from remote controls. (i.e. Projectors, TV, boom boxes.) This keeps the batteries from draining over the summer, or worse, corroding inside the unit. You may want to label the batteries or tape them to the thing they came out of so you know where they go when you come back.
• Unplug all power cords from all A/V equipment in your room, including TVs.

Everyone:

• Delete old and unused files from the Video (V:), Home (H:), and "share" folders (that you own, of course). If you don't specifically need it as part of curriculum next year, it's just using up valuable and limited space on the network.
• Remove sticky notes, tape, pencil holders, decorations, awards, gum, mysterious life forms, etc., from your computer and monitor. If you plan to replace them next year, just store them somewhere. Or go crazy and throw them out, giving you a fresh start in the new year.

Campus Portal now shows all grades on a single page

The Campus Portal has a new "Grades" tab which allows the student or parent/guardian to view all the student's current grades on a single screen. To view, log in to the Portal, select a student (if you have more than one) and click on the Grades tab. It is highlighted in red in the illustration below.

Please note that the "C" in some standards refers to "Consistently." The three possible scores for are Consistently, Sometimes, and Rarely.