12/21/21 Message to @mcps Staff from Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight

 December 21, 2021

Dear MCPS Staff, 

At this time, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to take necessary precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while also maintaining full operational status for all of our school buildings.

 We continue to collaborate with our state and local partners to monitor the changing conditions and adjust accordingly. While no changes to MCPS school operations are anticipated at this time, this communication is to provide you with information to prepare

 you, your staff and students in case conditions merit a shift in in-person learning.

Maintaining in-person instruction provides students with the best environment for addressing the learning disruptions that resulted from virtual and hybrid learning in the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 school years.

 Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, much has been asked of our students and staff. As an institution, we are grateful for all you have done in the face of this pandemic. Due to the efforts of everyone in our community, we have been able to return

 to in-person learning five days a week. However rising positive case numbers have required restrictions for athletics and extracurricular activities.

The risk presented by the COVID-19 pandemic remains and positive cases are rising. So we are asking our community to Remain Vigilant and to continue to follow the guidance from local health officials that

 is meant to keep you safe and healthy. Vaccines, face coverings and social distancing are safe, easy, simple and necessary to keep the number of cases low.

Our commitment to our students, staff and families is to keep MCPS schools open, focus on our mitigation strategies so we are working together for safety.

STUDENTS

As we near the start of winter break, please ensure students go home with:

Technology: 

A working Chromebook and charger.

Access to the internet. All MiFi devices that were distributed over the last 20 months are still with families. If a new family needs help with connectivity, please complete this form: MiFi Request Collection

 Form and families will be notified via email when one is ready for pickup at Sandburg distribution site.

Books, workbooks, and other instructional materials that may be helpful to continue instruction without disruption.

Here are other resources:

Item

Information and Resources

Resources

*Make sure Google Docs are “published to the web” to allow for higher volume of users

Zoom for Students

Student Accounts and Access 

Parent/Guardian Accounts and Access

Accessing myMCPS Classroom via Clever

Support

Community Tech Support Portal

Search Knowledge Base (English and Spanish) for troubleshooting guides, screencasts

Email communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org

STAFF

Please bring home all technology (Laptop/Chromebook, charger, document camera, microphone or external camera if needed) and curriculum resources that you may need for virtual teaching;

Please ensure your Canvas page is updated

Here is other pertinent information:

Item

Information and Resources

Staff Devices and Equipment

Support Materials:

Teacher Laptop & Monitor Support Guide

Document Cameras for Instruction

Classroom Equipment

Support

For fastest service (even if remote), fill out Hardware specific ticket form

PD and Resources

Winter 2022 Instructional Technology Professional Development Sessions

Return to Instruction YouTube Playlist

Virtual Instruction Resources

Staff Accounts and Access

Zoom Support Guide

Zoom and Access for Guest Speakers

Change in Teacher of Record - Synergy & myMCPS Classroom

Support

Help Desk Portal

Search Knowledge Base for troubleshooting guides, screencasts

Submit/Monitor Tickets 

Call Help Desk at 301-517-5800

Email Help Desk at 

help_desk@mcpsmd.org 

Applications

Zoom

All staff have a Zoom Meeting license that can support up to 300 participants.

Each school’s principal/primary administrator is assigned a Zoom Webinar license that can support up to 1,000 participants.

myMCPS Classroom (Canvas LMS)

Courses and enrollments sync from Synergy to myMCPS Classroom (Canvas LMS) daily; courses are currently available for staff to setup if they have not already.

Clever

Clever Portal provides staff and students with access to many of the instructional applications procured and supported by MCPS.

GoGuardian Teacher

If we move to a virtual model, staff will no longer be able to use GoGuardian teacher since students will be using their Internet connection at home.

Windows Virtual Desktop

When connected via VPN, users can access Windows Virtual Desktop to get to Filemaker and other applications not accessible via chrome or outside the firewall.

Other

Ensure VPN access continues for staff without renewal

Montgomery County Public Schools