Introduction

Welcome to the February Tech Report.  A number of things have happened this past month worth noting.

Google Issue

This month we experienced a very weird issue on February 13th and February 14th involving Google.  All iPad users were unable to use any google services.  They could not use classroom, docs, or even go to google to conduct an internet search.  Every other website worked.  The morning of February 14th, I spend two hours on the phone with Google support trying to narrow down the issue.  After being sent to different levels of Google support and then different departments, they had no answer for me as to why the issue was occurring.  I began to suspect the issue was related more to our web filter and how iPads are filtered.  I have our web filter set up as a proxy for filtering iPads, so they are filtered no matter where they are and so google apps are filtered.  Through the use of SSL certificates (a handshake between the web filter and the device browser allowing for secure transmission of information) users are able to use google apps.  Google sites all use HTTPS for transmission of information.  SSL certificates are required in order for this to work.  When you add a web filter in the middle, you must add a special certificate to allow the information to pass from device to the web filter to google and back again.

After disabled the certificate on a test device, I found the device could suddenly connect to all things google; however, without the proxy, the device was not filtered on google.  This was a workaround, but not a solution.  I reached out to lightspeed tech support (web filter support) and they were able to fix the issue.  According to them, we must’ve had a power surge or power outage on Tuesday that corrupted the SSL certificates and caused them not to function correctly.

The issue has been resolved since Friday, February 15th; however, a few users were still having issues.  This was due to these users not accepting the new certificates.  I disabled certificates on all devices and then re-enabled.  This caused the certificate to delete from the devices and then download from the server again.  Google should be working for everyone now!

PowerSchool Registration

In the next couple of weeks, parents will be notified to re-register their students for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.  The process will be different from previous years as we will be utilizing PowerSchool’s registration service.  Through this service, parents will be able to register online (doing away with paper registration), pay initial fees including iPad insurance, gym uniforms, and technology fees, allows for better communication with parents and better tracking with who has and has not re-registered as well as automatically updating powerschool information.  We hope this process will be a lot more efficient and painless for all parties.

Parents will receive emails with personalized codes allowing them to complete the registration process.  Parents can start the process and come back to it later as it saves progress.

Sangha App

We’re excited to announce that next year we will be using a new school-to-home communication app called Sangha! Sangha will help us be more efficient by streamlining communication, reducing the need for paper, and automating reminders. Here are some of the features included in this great tool:

• Scheduling for parent conferences and meetings
• Signing permission slips and other forms
• School/class-wide announcements or private 1-on-1 chats between teachers and parents
• Automated reminders for busy parents
• Collecting payments

Emergency Virtual Learning Days will be announced through this app, need for iPad deductible payment, and other important announcements.  This can be set up for parents to receive email, text, and phone calls for emergency announcements.  More information will be provided at a later date.

Upcoming Testing

We are entering into the spring testing season.  ISTEP for 10th graders begins next week on Tuesday 2/26 and Thursday 2/28.  NWEA testing will start the following week with the schedule below:

Week of March 4 – March 8

Tuesday March 5 – MS Math & Science

Thursday March 7 – MS Reading & LA

Friday – MS Makeups Times TBD

Week of March 11 – March 15

Tuesday March 12 – 9th and 10th MA & LA; 11th MA & Reading

Thursday March 14 – 9th & 10th Reading

Friday March 15 – HS Makeups Times TBD

Students make sure to have fully charged iPads and to make sure your devices are up to date and not stuck several iOS versions behind.  If you need to pay an iPad deductible to get a replacement iPad, please do that ASAP.

New Tech Purchases

This summer we will be replacing our nine year old switches in both IT closets with new Aerohive switches.  Additionally, we are replacing all of our UPS’s (Universal Power Supplies) with brand new ones.  We are still in the process of looking at VR headsets for Middle School classes.  More information will be provided if we move ahead with purchasing.

Lightspeed Web Filter Upgrade

Our web filter will go through a major upgrade this summer.  This upgrade will transition us to a cloud based filtering as opposed to a server based.  Users will continue to be filtered no matter where they are as well as stopped from visiting school blocked websites.  Currently we see when students visit inappropriate websites, but they are not blocked automatically.  With the new upgrade, it should block the student at home as well.

Support Ticket Breakdown

January was an average month for tickets with 48.  PowerSchool was once again the highest with printer and email coming in second and third.  Nothing really sticks out in terms of tickets from last month.

Insurance Claims

Insurance claims continue to be low. If a student’s screen protector becomes damaged to the point where it is no longer effective at protecting the device, the student will need to replace it.  This can be done by purchasing a new screen protector ($10) through our online order form.

Lost iPads

January contained the highest number of lost iPads with 9.  8th grade continues to have the highest number of iPads go missing.  Students need to be more careful with taking care of their devices.  Thank you to the 8th grade teachers for being extremely helpful in locating each of those devices.

Miscellaneous Notes

• Please remember to choose a topic for your support tickets and not just select other.  I use these to categorize and assign.
• Remember to fill out support tickets for all your tech support requests.
• If you have a broken iPad, please ensure you make deductible payment or you will not receive a new iPad.