Family Resources for Student Technology

NKCPS students are issued Chromebook 10e touch tablets for grades K-2 and Lenovo Chromebook 100e Laptops (2nd gen and 1st gen) for grades 3-12. These devices, running on the Chrome OS, are web-centric with fast boot times, robust security features, and seamless integration with G-Suite. Access to apps, plugins, and the Google Play Store is limited by the school district. With automatic updates, integration with Google Drive, and cost-effectiveness, these Chromebooks offer a comprehensive and efficient platform for educational purposes. These devices are essential for administering online tests, periodic growth assessments, and benchmark testing. Student access to the devices, while limited in certain app and store functionalities, helps supplement classroom instruction and prepares them for End of Year/Course SOL test administration.

 

NKCPS students are all given a Google workspace account. This account is managed by the school district and security measures are applied at various levels depending on the grade level of the students. By default, the devices issued to students are enrolled in our online management suite and will not allow non-NKCPS accounts to login to the Chromebook.

Internet Content Filtering

Google Safe Search

Google Safe Search is a crucial feature implemented across all managed Google accounts, ensuring a safer online experience. Specifically designed to protect users, especially students, from encountering explicit or inappropriate content, this setting acts as a robust filter. When a user enters search queries with potentially objectionable content, Safe Search actively restricts the search results to exclude any sites that may contain explicit materials. By doing so, it provides an added layer of security, fostering a more controlled and secure online environment for users, particularly in educational settings. This feature plays a vital role in promoting responsible internet use and creating a safer digital space for users of all ages.

iBoss Internet Content Filtering

NKCPS emphasizes ensuring a secure online environment for our students through the incorporation of iBoss content filtering services. iBoss, a prominent figure in K-12 IT security, consistently updates a comprehensive list of site URLs deemed inappropriate for school-aged children. iBoss is a CIPA compliant content filtering solution. This filtering mechanism is meticulously implemented not only within the NKCPS network but extends its protective reach to student devices even beyond school premises, effectively thwarting access to inappropriate content even when students are at home. This proactive measure underscores our commitment to fostering a safe and conducive digital learning environment for our students.

Student Email

NKCPS is committed to safeguarding sensitive information and promoting a focused collaborative space. This deliberate measure is reinforced by the utilization of Google Vault, which ensures comprehensive oversight and accountability. Even in the case of deleted emails, our administrative team retains accessibility through Google Vault, reinforcing our commitment to student and school safety by enabling proactive monitoring and intervention when necessary. To maintain effective communication while prioritizing the privacy and security of our school community, we have implemented a policy that restricts students from communicating outside our designated managed domain, ensuring a secure and controlled digital environment within our educational institutions.

Available to all NKCPS Students

• BookCreator – A media creation tool that allows students to use templates to create digitally published or shared books demonstrating what they are learning.
• Flocabulary – A tool for building student literacy skills by engaging students in class content through song and storytelling.
• Google Workspace – A cloud-based productivity suite from Google, featuring tools like Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meet. It enables seamless communication, collaboration, and organization across devices, making it ideal for individuals and teams.
• Nearpod – An interactive presentation tool that allows teachers to create engaging live or self-paced instruction.
• Powerschool – The student information system where students/parents are able to monitor their grades, attendance, discipline, and other information specific to them.
• Schoology – The learning management system for grades 3-12, helping to organize learning resources for teachers and students. Parents can also utilize Schoology to access and monitor their child’s coursework and progress on assignments.
• WeVideo – A multimedia creation tool that allows students to create high-quality videos and podcasts demonstrating what they are learning.

Available to Elementary Students

• BrainPop – A video content provider that develops elementary age-appropriate videos in a variety of topics that teachers show or assign to students as another engaging way for them to see the information.
• Happy Numbers – A math intervention tool that provides assessments and interventions to students.
• Lexia Core5 – A reading intervention tool that provides systematic, evidence-based literacy instruction, adaptive to the student’s needs and paced to his/her performance.
• PebbleGo – An online research database for students to read about topics from class.
• Reflex Math – A math intervention tool for students who struggle with basic numerical facts and number sense.
• SeeSaw – The learning management system for grades K-2 that helps organize learning resources for teachers and students, includes a variety of assessment activities, and provides communication to parents.
• ZEARN Math – An adaptive math intervention tool that provides assessments and interventions to students.

Available to Secondary Students

• Canva - A graphic design platform that lets students create a variety of professional-grade media.
• Discovery Ed – A video content provider that allows teachers to assign content-based videos with associated questions/activities. (high school only)
• EdPuzzle – A teacher tool for creating interactive videos with embedded questions that provide the teacher with formative data on content mastery.
• Gimkit - A tool for teachers to provide students with gamified practice across all subjects at their own pace.
• Gizmos – Provides science and math simulations for students to carry out simulation labs with numerous trials at a time.
• Lexia PowerUp - A reading intervention tool that provides systematic, evidence-based literacy instruction adaptive to the student’s needs and paced to his/her performance.
• NoRedInk - A platform that provides students with the ability to practice and improve writing skills in an evidence-based and structured way.
• Quizizz – A platform that allows teachers to create and assign gamified assessments and interactive lessons for students across all subject areas.
• Xello – A career planning tool that provides students with career interest surveys and the ability to create academic career plans.
• ZEARN Math – An adaptive math intervention tool that provides assessments and interventions to students. (middle school only)

We strongly encourage parents and guardians to actively engage with their child's digital activities on NKCPS devices. In order to promote transparency and ensure a safe online environment, we recommend that students share their login credentials, including passwords, with their parents/guardians. This will allow parents/guardians to have a comprehensive view of their child's interactions, including activities on Schoology, Google Drive, and Gmail.

It's essential for parents/guardians to regularly review their child's Schoology activity, where they can track assignments, communication with teachers, and overall participation in virtual learning. Additionally, monitoring Google Drive can help parents/guardians ensure that shared documents align with appropriate standards, and keeping an eye on Gmail messages can help identify any potentially concerning communications.

Open communication is key. If parents/guardians come across content or activities that raise concerns, we encourage them to initiate a conversation with their child. Understanding their perspectives and experiences online will contribute to building trust and addressing any issues collaboratively.

In cases where parents/guardians have specific concerns about email communications or other online activities, we urge them to communicate directly with their child. Should additional concerns persist or escalate, parents/guardians are welcome to contact the school administration. We are here to support you in navigating the digital landscape and ensuring a safe and positive online learning environment for your child.

SchoolMessenger serves as the primary communication tool within the school district, enabling the simultaneous creation of phone messages, emails, and SMS messages to parents and guardians. The program syncs contact numbers from Powerschool, ensuring that only parents/guardians flagged as "Lives With" or having "Custody" are eligible to receive communications. Please note that emergency contacts do not receive these messages.

If, for any reason, you are not receiving the SchoolMessenger communications, we kindly request you to contact your child's school to verify and update your contact information. Additionally, important notices and updates related to emergency information will be posted directly on the NKCPS website and school-based websites.

Overview 

Social media is one tool that NKCPS uses to communicate with staff, students, parents, and community members. Our school division currently has four official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn using the handle @NKCPS. Additionally, each of our five schools has a Facebook and an Instagram account.  

Other school-affiliated or -unaffiliated groups and individuals may create social media accounts related to NKCPS, but they are not recognized as official NKCPS-endorsed accounts. Reshares, reposts, and retweets from unofficial accounts do not signal endorsement. Other school-affiliated or -unaffiliated groups and individuals should not use official division or school logos in their profile photos or any other posts. 

Please note that we are unable to monitor NKCPS social media accounts 24/7. If you are a student in crisis, please text HOME to 741741, call 988, or dial 911. Visit our Student Safety Resources page for more information. 

We ask that all comments, messages, and interactions with NKCPS social media accounts be respectful and courteous. We reserve the right to remove or hide content that includes, but is not limited to: 

 

• individually identifiable student information.  
• copyrighted material posted without permission. 
• confidential material. 
• spam, advertising, or commercial solicitations or information. 
• obscene, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, violent, vulgar, hateful, or sexual material. 
• advocating the commission of a criminal act. 
• personal attacks on a NKCPS staff or faculty member, student, or community members. 
• off-topic or disruptive remarks.  

We also reserve the right to temporarily block or ban users whose posts or comments on NKCPS social media pages fall within the above categories. 

Additionally, any content that violates the user agreement guidelines of a specific platform will be reported for removal.  

NKCPS students are asked to remember that school administrators may be notified if a student’s online behavior is deemed inappropriate.  

All posts and correspondence received by NKCPS may be subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and records retention requirements. As a result, NKCPS may be obligated to retain posts and correspondence in its records and/or to disclose them if requested. 

Social Media Guidelines for Students 

When using social media to interact with NKCPS, NKCPS offices, individual school accounts, staff and faculty, students are expected to exercise appropriate conduct just as they would offline. The following are recommended guidelines: 

• Please be polite. Treat people the way you would want to be treated. 
• Profanity and racial or ethnic slurs are never acceptable, nor are vulgar comments or media. 
• There is no need to shout. Avoid using all capital letters and/or numerous exclamation points in your posts. 
• Do not tag @NKCPS, other school handles, or NKCPS staff and faculty in posts that contain vulgar or unacceptable language.  
• If you wouldn’t want your family, principal, or classmates to see your post, then don’t share it. Once it’s online, you can’t take it back. 
• Be truthful.  
• The NKCPS social media accounts are not monitored 24/7. If you are a student in crisis, please text HOME to 741741, call 988, or dial 911. Visit our Student Safety Resources page for more information. If you witness something inappropriate (whether on or offline), tell your teacher, principal, parent, or another trusted adult immediately.  
• Be yourself. Don’t represent yourself as another person when communicating.
• Do not create fake NKCPS social media accounts. 

Remember: School administrators may be notified if a student acts inappropriately when communicating with the school division via social media. Administrators and/or other NKCPS staff may be notified if it appears that a student may be in crisis.  

Overview

This section is intended to provide information to parents/guardians about how to troubleshoot common school technology issues. If you review this page and you or your student are still experiencing a technology problem, please contact the ITRT (Instructional Technology Resource Teacher) at your child's school. 

1. My child’s Chromebook will not accept their password or they forgot the password.

Your child should ask your school’s ITRT to assist in resetting the password. After resetting the password, your child will make a new password. Please make sure the new password is strong by containing numbers, letters, and symbols.

2. My child is having difficulty accessing Schoology.

Please make sure your child logs out of their Gmail account and logs back in with their school-issued email. This will ensure that they are attempting to access Schoology with the correctly linked email address. Additionally, please make sure your child is attempting to access Schoology through the correct school portal. They should go to lms.newkentschools.org and log in with their school Gmail address. Attempting to log in through schoology.com will not work as we utilize a district-specific login portal.

3. I want to make a parent account in Schoology so I can monitor my child’s classwork and progress.

Please ask your school’s ITRT for the parent access code associated with your child. Once you receive the code, go to https://www.powerschool.com/classroom/schoology-learning/ and click the “register” button on the home page. Then click on the “parent” option and enter the access code you received. After entering the access code, complete the rest of your account registration. This process should only take you a few minutes, and when finished, your account will be linked to your child’s account in order to see all of their classes and course progress.

4. My child is unable to log in to their PowerSchool account due to forgetting their username and/or password.

At the elementary level, please reach out to your child's school registrar for a PowerSchool password reset. At the middle and high school levels, please click on the “Forgot Username or Password” button on the PowerSchool login page, and then select the desired option. Once you fill out the required fields, an email will be sent to their school email account with either the username information or a password reset link.

5. My child’s computer will not charge or turn on any longer.

Please make sure that the charging light on the left side of the Chromebook is active. If the charger is plugged in, but the light is not active, it is possible the battery inside the laptop needs to be replaced. It is also possible the charger is no longer functioning. Please have your child bring their devices to their school’s designated Chromebook Help Desk in order for the issue to be identified. If the issue is with the charger, your child will be provided with another one. If the issue is the Chromebook battery, your child will be given a loaner or replacement while their original computer is repaired.

6. My child’s computer is damaged (screen, keyboard, wiring, etc.) or lost, and it is no longer usable.

Please have your child bring their device to the designated Chromebook Help Desk. If this is the first incident where your child’s Chromebook is damaged, they will be issued a replacement or loaner free of charge. If this is the second incident, a damage fee will be assessed and added to your child’s school account per district policy. The fee can range from $25 to $250 depending on the severity of the damage. Any subsequent incidents will incur additional charges.

7. My child lost their school-issued computer charger.

In the event that your child loses their original charger, a new charger can be purchased through the district. The fee associated with charger replacements is $20 which will be added to your child’s school account once they are issued another device.

8. My child is receiving an “Access Denied” error message when attempting to open an assignment in Schoology.

Go into Settings. Click “Advanced.” Next, click on the “Privacy and Security” category and select “Site Settings.” Then, click “cookies” and turn off “Block 3rd party cookies.” Lastly, refresh the assignment page in Schoology.

9. My child cannot find a course in Schoology in which they are enrolled.

The most likely issue is that your child is enrolled in too many Schoology courses for all of them to appear under the “Courses” drop-down menu. Click on the “Courses” tab and then click “My Courses” in the top right corner of the menu. All courses will appear in a list format, including the one your child is trying to find. 

10. My child is no longer a member of any current courses in Schoology.

This is likely the result of a roster syncing issue between PowerSchool and Schoology. If your child is logging in to the correct Schoology account by using their school-issued Gmail and they do not appear to be enrolled in any courses, please contact your school’s ITRT to resolve this issue.

11. My child’s Chromebook is displaying a message that it is locked by an administrator.

Please contact your school’s ITRT or designated Chromebook Help Desk to verify that your child has the correct Chromebook that is assigned to them in order to have it unlocked.

12. We're having trouble logging into PowerSchool.

Please review this video on YouTube by Stephanie Wright, NKCPS ITRT, for directions on logging into PowerSchool. If you are still experiencing issues, please reach out to your child's ITRT.

 

Responsible digital citizenship is an important skill for all NKCPS students. We recommend that parents/guardians review the Family Engagement Resources available from Common Sense, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive.

Additionally, the graphics below by Ben Goldman, NKCPS ITRT, review best practices for student computer usage and important ways that parents/guardians can help their child be a responsible citizen.