As you know, our school district provides each student with a device (Chromebooks for K-8 students and a Windows device for high school students) to support learning and engagement. These devices are valuable assets that require proper care and maintenance. When a device is damaged or lost, the district incurs a cost to repair or replace it. To help cover these costs, a fee may be charged for damage or loss of a student device.

We understand that accidents happen, and we want to make sure that every student has access to a working device. That is why we offer an optional device protection plan that covers accidental damage. You can find more information about the device protection plan and how to enroll in it on our district website.

With the district-wide implementation of our new communication tool, Parent Square, personalized notification of technology fines will now be sent to you through it. Our goal is to ensure that you receive timely and accurate information about any damage or loss of your student’s device.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring that our students use their devices responsibly and respectfully. For technical support for a student device, please reach out to the IT Help Desk at 480.484.HELP (4357). Questions about fines assessed for student devices can be directed to ITSFine@susd.org.

Read more at The SUSD Source

In this digital age, we all use the internet for various purposes, such as learning, working, shopping, and socializing. But the internet also poses many risks and challenges for our privacy and security. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to exploit our online activities and steal our personal information, money, or identity.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to learn and practice some effective strategies to stay safer online. Check out the infographic below for actionable tips to stay safe online!

Read more at The SUSD Source

The SUSD IT team knows learning does not stop when the end of the school day arrives. In addition to supporting student devices traveling between home and school, we support access to digital learning resources at home. Most of these resources can be accessed within the Clever Portal. Resources linked in the Clever portal are unique to each student, based on their grade level, school, and course enrollments.

This year, the method for students to log in to the Clever portal has changed slightly. If a student is struggling to access the Clever portal while at home, check out the How to Access Clever instructions in the SUSD Student Help Center. In addition, the IT Help Desk phone lines are open to assist you with your technology questions and issues Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Help Desk is closed on weekends.

Technology Help Desk

(480) 484-HELP (4357)

Read more at The SUSD Source

Over the summer, our IT and Communications teams collaborated to deploy SUSD-branded images on the desktop, screen saver, and lock screen of all SUSD computers, laptops, and Chromebooks. These new, standard images will support our asset management and security efforts.

They are also a reminder for everyone (staff and students) to be mindful of how we use SUSD devices to communicate and access protected data. This change coincides with an update in the student 2023-2024 SUSD Code of Conduct (page 70), clarifying that personalizing or decorating SUSD devices with stickers is prohibited.

Thank you for being our partners in caring for the public technology resources that enable world-class, future-focused learning in SUSD!

SUSD provides each student with a mobile computer for learning. Although we support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), there may be some limitations (including participating in state testing) to using a personal device for learning in SUSD.

Student devices are checked out from the school library (K-8) or bookstore (high school). Similar to other learning resources checked-out from the library or bookstore, students are responsible for damaged or missing items beyond typical wear and tear.

SUSD offers families an Optional Student Technology Device Protection Plan each school year. For more information about the specifics of the plan, please see the Optional Device Protection Plan website. Families that choose to participate in the Optional Student Technology Device Protection Plan must enroll each school year.

After reviewing the new school year’s Optional Device Protection Plan, please contact your school’s library or bookstore if you have questions, or call the SUSD Help Desk at 480.484.HELP (4357).

Read more at The SUSD Source

Here we are, in the final month of school after another year of supporting the networks, systems, and devices used for learning in SUSD classrooms every day. When the last day of school dismisses for the ‘22-23 school year, most students will once again be taking their SUSD device home for the summer. Here are some reminders that will help keep it up and running and ready for use next school year!

• Keep devices in air-conditioned locations and don’t leave them in hot cars or direct sun
• Keep devices away from liquids/food
• Keep track of the power adapter
• Visit the IT Department website for helpful information about accessing learning resources from home
• Reach out to the IT Help Desk at 480.484.HELP (4357) for technical support all summer long!
  
  

Because these devices often travel back and forth to school, and most students will have them at home over the summer, we offer an optional Device Protection Plan (DPP). Similar to other learning resources checked-out from the library or bookstore, students are responsible for damaged or missing items (beyond typical wear and tear.) Plan information for the current school year is available on the IT Department website. The coverage lasts through the start of the next school year, when families have the opportunity to sign up again for another year of coverage.

Questions? The IT Help Desk can be reached at 480.484.HELP (4357).

Read more at The SUSD Source

March is the month that many SUSD students begin participating in statewide standardized testing, with some tests occurring in April, as well.

Across SUSD, access to digital resources is increasingly important for learning, communication, and collaboration in school. SUSD provides a device for each student. We also support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) on our school networks, but when it comes to participating in state-mandated tests, students MUST use an SUSD device. Using that device regularly for learning activities will ensure it is updated and in working order on test day. 

The night before a test, it is important that students AND their devices are well rested. Tuck in your child and plug in the device overnight so that both are FULLY CHARGED and perform their best on testing day!  

To learn more about the assessments students participate in, by grade level, check out the SUSD Assessment and Accountability webpage or this informational document for parents from the Arizona Department of Education (English) (Spanish).

Read more at The SUSD Source