Hello Unionville-Chadds Ford! Welcome to another edition of our Technology Newsletter. This month's issue highlights kindness, phishing attempt awareness, updates on Windows 7 security, tips on utilizing Google, PowerSchool and more. We're here to help with any of your technology needs. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!

Tech Wellness Tip

We are all still learning about the impact excessive screen time can have on our physical and emotional wellness. Achieving healthy online/offline balance is more important than ever. The good news is with a bit of awareness and communication, it’s possible for us to manage our technology behavior. Empower yourself to be intentional about screen time with these simple strategies to encourage digital wellness:

1. Turn WiFi on ONLY WHEN you absolutely need it. Try it and you'll discover you'll be more mindful of when you really need to access the Internet.

2. No device dinners. These are so fulfilling. Try it--park your phones or devices in a basket and let the conversation begin. And the distractions melt away. Device free meals provide an opportunity to come together, strengthen ties and build better relationships. They build a sense of belonging which leads to better self-esteem. They can also set an example of healthy eating.

3. Set a Social Media schedule. If you need Tweet, or FB, chat or Insta daily, then set a time and stick to it. After lunch for 20 minutes . . . and then, here's the hard part, THATS IT! This gives you more time every day to actually enjoy this gorgeous world and the fabulous people and things in it.

4. Once a day, share something tangible. It could be sharing your thoughts (no privacy policy needed) in something like a Journal--it's the perfect tool to allow you to disconnect and reflect on the positive moments of each and every day. Or, even writing a note of gratitude or sending a happy message to someone on paper. Bake something and share it. A chocolate chip cookie certainly beats a text!

around the district

Patton is Spreading positive messages!

We tend to always hear about the negative aspects of social media, but sometimes, it has the power to make the world a better place. Patton Middle School students are empowering themselves and turning technology into a positive forum. The Patton Kindness Platform allows the students to lift up one another in a positive way. They can leave a happy message for someone, thank them for their support, leave an uplifting picture or a cheery quote. An unexpected, positive message can turn someone's day into a GREAT day! Visit - Patton's Kindness Platform to view the fun and sweet ways our students are making each day awesome!

behind the scenes

Raptor getting a facelift in the new few months

UCFSD will be receiving an upgrade over the next few months with our Raptor Visitor Management System. This system is currently in use at all our facilities. The new PA Act 44 grant was awarded to UCFSD which included the upgraded Raptor system. UCFSD technology will be reaching out to our buildings to coordinate the upgrade and information will be going out to our staff and community about the change.

What is different? ** Better scanning technology to accurately receive ID pictures and information the first time. ** Better reliable hardware for printing and scanning badges. ** Combined database of visitors. If a visitor checks into one school that visitor is saved in our combined database to easily be pulled up by another school. ** Better emergency alerting for positive hits on visitors

Windows 7 Operating System - End of Life - January 2020

Microsoft made a commitment to provide 10 years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released on October 22, 2009. This 10-year period has now ended, and Microsoft has discontinued Windows 7 support so that we can focus our investment on supporting newer technologies and great new experiences. The specific end of support day for Windows 7 was January 14, 2020.

UCFSD Technology will begin replacing Windows 7 PC’s with the completion date slated for this summer for all Windows 7 devices to be replaced or upgraded. We will be reaching out to all the staff members with Windows 7 to coordinate that upgrade or replacement.

powerschool

CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW IN POWERSCHOOL

CANVAS

CHECK OUT THE LATEST features in canvas lms

Help is always available on the Canvas Community https://community.canvaslms.com/

tip of the month

Scam of the Week: Watch Out for This New Credit Card Phishing Scam

Look out! The bad guys are sending a new, attention-grabbing phishing email and they’re targeting the customers of major credit card companies.

Here’s how it works: The email appears to come from one of two well-known credit card companies, either American Express or Chase. The email includes a list of credit card transactions, and you’re asked to confirm or deny whether the transactions are valid. If you click the “No, I do not recognize the transactions” link, you’re brought to a fake login page that looks very similar to the credit card company’s actual login page. Don’t fall for this trick! If you submit your login details, your information is immediately sent to the scammers and your account and your identity will be at risk.

Remember the following to help protect yourself from these types of scams: #1 - Do not trust the links in an email that you weren’t expecting. #2 - When you receive an email asking you to log in to an account or online service that you use, log in to your account through your browser–not through links in the email. This way, you can ensure you’re logging into the real website and not a phony look-alike. #3 - Do not reuse passwords. If you use the same password for multiple accounts and one gets hacked, they’re all at risk of being hacked.

Remember - When you get an email that looks suspicious, here are a few things to check for: ** Check that the email address and the sender name match. ** Check if the email is authenticated. ** Hover over any links before you click on them. If the URL of the link doesn't match the description of the link, it might be leading you to a phishing site. ** Check the message headers to make sure the "from" header isn't showing an incorrect name.

As always, if you run into issues you may contact your local technology folks or submit a helpdesk ticket.

Google Tip- Keep track of important tasks on your to-do list

Google offers a solution called Google Tasks, a tool which enables you to create to-do lists within your email, link those tasks to your calendar, and more. When you add a task, you can integrate it into your Gmail calendar, and add details or sub-tasks. Tasks also enable you to drag and drop emails into your to-do list, rearrange the order of your tasks, and check off completed ones.

Here’s how you can create a task ensuring you never miss a deadline: First, open Gmail. At the right-hand side click the Tasks icon(small round blue icon - shown above). To create a new task, click + Add a new task and then click the pencil to add in further information. Or to create a task using an existing email, open Tasks and then drag and drop your email into the Task box. You can then click on the pencil icon to add further details. When you have completed your task, simply click on the Task icon and mark your task as complete. For more tips on how to utilize Tasks visit - GOOGLE TASKS

helpdesk

App requests are now in Help Desk!

App Requests have MOVED! Previously, if a teacher wanted a new app installed on a device, he or she would have to enter a request in My Learning Plan where it would sit in an approval queue. We are happy to report that going forward App Requests can now be made directly in the Technology Help Desk for a much speedier process! Once your request is entered, it will go directly to your building tech and principal for approval. Just log in to the technology helpdesk at helpdesk.ucfsd.org and click on "Request New Service" to get started. Full instructions are linked here.

what else can you request in helpdesk?

Click on "Request New Service", then click on

Google Team Drive - Make this request to have a Google Team Drive created for you. Google Team Drives are shared spaces that belong to a team, instead of an individual person. Members are added and removed as needed. Team Drives allow you to collaborate on documents with your colleagues in one central spot, making the files easier to find and use later on.

Website Unblock Request - Tired of seeing a blocked message on a site you use all the time? Create a "Website Unblock Request" to have a member of our team review the site to see if it can be allowed through our web filter.

Have a suggestion or topic? Email technewsletter@ucfsd.net

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