• Google Classroom – Parent and Guardian Overview

    Google Classroom is a web-based learning environment that will be implemented this 2020-2021 school year grades K-12. Google Classroom was previously used in the elementary school and some middle school classrooms; however, in the fall of 2019, the decision was made to move away from Schoology and implement Google Classroom district wide. This decision to move to Google Classroom stems from a cost savings perspective during budget cuts and the streamlined connection between Google Classroom and the district’s established Google suite. 

    Features -- Google Classroom facilitates instructor-learner communication, and it ensures easy feedback and smooth document sharing through the district’s Google Suite. When logged into Google Classroom, students can collaborate with their peers and teachers simultaneously for a robust virtual learning experience. Google Classroom offers a digital safe space for students to view class announcements, access posted course content, view posted assignments, and turn in completed work. Only authorized district users (students, teachers, and other designated staff members) can have access to a district Google Classroom site. 

    How do parents and guardians use Google Classroom?
    To view Google Classroom, parents and guardians can either set up a guardian account (information listed below) or from the school issued Chromebook, ask the student to login and launch the Google Classroom to view from the student perspective. 

    As a guardian, you can get email summaries about your student’s activity in Google Classroom. Email summaries do not include grades; for grades, ask your student, login to Infinite Campus through the parent portal, or contact your child’s teacher. 

    In Google Classroom email summaries, parents and guardians can review:

    • Missing work -- Work that was not turned in when the summary was sent.
    • Upcoming Work -- Work that is due today and tomorrow (for daily reminders) or that is due in the upcoming week.
    • Class Activities -- Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.
    • Important Note -- If there’s no activity to report or if a teacher turns off email notifications, you might not get an email summary.

    NOTE: Email summaries do not include grades. For grades, you can do one of the following:

    1. Ask your student or
    2. Login to your Parent Portal on Infinite Campus or 
    3. Contact your child’s teacher 

    How to set up email summaries? 
    To receive email summaries of your student’s work, you must accept an email invitation from a teacher. You have 120 days to accept an invitation before it expires. You can unsubscribe from summaries or remove yourself as a guardian at any time.

    Detailed steps to setting up email summaries: 

    1. The teacher or administrator emails you an invitation to join your student’s class.
    2. In your email program, open your email invitation.
    3. Click Accept. If you’re not the guardian, click I’m Not The Guardian.
    4. Click Accept to confirm.

    When you accept an invitation from Google Classroom, you and your student get an email confirmation.

    How to Manage my Google Classroom Account?
    For more detailed information on how to manage your Google Classroom Guardian Account, please visit Google Support Guardian View website. 

    What are teachers expected to post in Google Classroom?
    Teachers are expected to update Google Classroom sites in the following ways: 

    • Folders Organized by Courses
    • Calendar with Assignment Due Dates
    • Syllabus/Syllabi and Classroom Expectations

    Optional Items that teachers may also include on the Classroom site:

    • Presentations (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.)
    • Links
    • Videos
    • Assignments/quizzes to be completed digitally
    • Curriculum information
    • Newsletters
    • Field trip information
    • Extracurriculars related to the program – i.e. pictures of field trips or classroom experiences
    • Student educational links
    • Parent educational links
    • Academic enhancement activities
    • Class highlights

    Please note -- this is not an exhaustive list. Teachers have various options that can be utilized while setting up Google Classroom.