Saturday, May 30, 2020

Technology and Operations : New Staff, Building Entry Procedures, Phishing Emails and Summer Prep

New Computer Technician

Many of you have had the chance to work with Josh McNutt as you have been returning to prepare your classrooms for summer. Josh was hired shortly before our extended break in the role of Computer Technician. Josh is a problem solver, brings a positive attitude, and strong work ethic to the role. We are glad to have him part of the team.

Tony Slepko, our Systems Technician, has been working with Josh to not only facilitate summer upgrades and projects, but they have been working with parents, students, and staff to solve a wide variety of hardware and software problems during this time. Their efforts are appreciated.

If you need their services, please use the technology work orders found on the district website under the "staff" tab. It not only sends an email to all technology staff but provides a record that the team can use to track progress of your request. For convenience, you can click here to get to the forms. Feel free to bookmark them. 

REMINDER: Windows 10 upgrades are taking place over the summer. You need to back up your files on your classroom desktop or laptop. If you are taking home your laptop for the summer, you must sign it out using the equipment loan form available at your building's main office. Tony or Josh will schedule a day/time for you to bring in the laptop for upgrades. This does need to happen for all machines due to security concerns.

Building Entry Procedures

Thank you to all staff who have been cooperating with the current building entry procedures. We have been working with Geauga Public Health in implementing these. We will continue to use them as a partner moving forward, especially as we are looking towards fall and guidelines from the state and ODE with regards to reopening school. 

As a reminder, these are the procedures for entering and working in the building for all staff.

1. A station is placed at the main entrance of each building. This is the only door that you are allowed to enter.
2. Check your temperature upon entry. (Note: If you have a high temperature, you will need to notify your building principal or supervisor and go home.)
3. Sign in and record that your temperature has been checked.

4. You are required to bring personal gloves or to take a pair of disposable gloves. These are not meant to be in place of hand washing.

5. All staff members and visitors are required to wear a mask. We are asking that you bring one from home. A disposable mask will be available at the building, if you are unable to bring one. Masks must be worn unless you are alone in an office or classroom. 

6. Do not congregate with groups of 10 or more staff members in common areas such as lounges or work rooms. If you are in common areas for any reason, you must wear a mask. Social distancing must be maintained in any situation.

7. Please use hand sanitizer at stations or wash hands in classroom sinks or bathrooms as needed. Remember this is one of the key ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Phishing Emails/Phone and Text Scams

There has been an increase in scammers using the current health situation as an opportunity to scam. Besides emails, phone and text messages are also subject to these types of attacks. I found a couple of great resources with info to help protect yourself against both. As always, reach out with any questions.

Remember these can also happen on your personal phone and emails so always be cautious.




Summer Preparations

As we look towards summer and prepare for the coming school year, please remember to take home personal items from your classroom. We will have to be focused on cleaning spaces and surfaces on a very different level now and moving forward. The more open and clear spaces are, the easier they are to properly clean and disinfect. 

If you have been storing outdated instructional items, this is the time to get rid of them so storage space can be used for the items that you truly need for daily instruction. 

As you prepare for the summer, reach out if you have questions. If you need help, need a repair or have work that requires attention in your classroom, please put in a maintenance work order.  I do want to thank our maintenance and custodial staff for all of their help in working towards adjusting how we clean our buildings during this time. We are continuing to monitor new information as it arrives to make sure we are meeting all recommendations for a safe environment in our schools. We are also continuing to work with Geauga Public Health to verify our procedures meet those recommendations.