Student Support

Learning Guidance for Students

• Create and maintain a study schedule. Stick to as predictable a daily routine as possible. Don't forget to include times for breaks and lunch. 
• Create a learning space. A dedicated learning space for virtual learning should ideally be located in a shared area of your home such as at the kitchen table, a large kitchen counter, or a desk in a living room or family room.
• Gather learning materials and tools. 
• Self-advocate to seek help within a virtual setting.  Getting used to an online learning environment and participating in virtual learning might take a little while.  Some people will love it right away. Others might need some time to get used to how to participate in live video sessions or use a chat room.  If you're an "early adopter," be patient and remain kind to those who will take longer to adjust to a virtual learning environment. If you're one of the people who isn't as comfortable with technology or online learning as your peers, it's okay.  Stay positive. Be persistent.

Instructional blocks are reserved for each course, but how teachers choose to present the curriculum will vary. Each class session will include attendance and live instructional time with a variety of other modalities like small group work, multimedia resources, and student participation.  

All Clarkston Community Schools  students have district Google accounts.  Students in Grades 3-12 have access to Gmail and they should check every day for messages from their teacher(s) about the daily learning expectations.  Elementary aged students can check their Seesaw class or Google Classroom for messages from their teachers.  Educators will also communicate with students about how to share their learning. Students may be asked to:

• Send an email  to the teacher;
• Complete a Google Quiz;
• Submit a document to their personal Google folder;
• Take a picture of their work and upload it into a Google folder or email it to their teacher;
• Record a video that shows how they are able to do something; email a message summarizing their learning; or
• Engage in a teacher-led Google Meet or Zoom chat session.

There are are many possibilities for how teachers might invite students to share their learning.  Parents and caregivers should be sure they know what their children's teacher(s) expect and then support their student as needed.

Tech Tutorials

Our district's distance learning and Clarkston Virtual platforms rely on high-speed internet connections at home in order for students to access class meetings and curriculum materials. District  devices are configured to allow connections to home and public WiFi networks. The CCS Technology Department is unable to provide support for home networks.  If you are experiencing slow or dropped Internet coverage, here are some tips for improving your connection.

Poor Internet Connectivity?

• Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
• Make sure airplane mode is off on tablets or phones.
• Make sure you are logged out of any personal Google accounts. (Here's how to sign out and switch between users on a Chromebook)
• Run a speed test: www.speedtest.com or www.fast.com
• Reboot your device: Try restarting your device by powering it down for 60 seconds and then restarting it.
• Reboot your router and modem: Try restarting/power cycling your WiFi router by unplugging the power for 60 seconds and then plugging it back in.
• Make sure not too many tabs are open. (Here's how to close all tabs.)
• Clear your browsing history and cache.
• Make sure Chrome is up to date.
  How to Update Chromebooks
  • Click the bottom right corner of the Chrome OS desktop.
  • Select the Settings icon.
  • Click "About Chrome."
  • Click Check for updates.
  • To apply the update, click the arrow icon and select Restart to Update.
• Turn off Wi-Fi on cell phones and other devices not in use.
• Make sure no one is streaming movies (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.)
• Make sure no one is gaming (Xbox, Playstation, etc.)
• Make sure no one is streaming music (Pandora, etc.)
• How Old is Your Wireless Router? It might be time to replace your router.
• Where is your Wi-Fi router in relation to the student? If the router is in the basement or upstairs and student is on a middle level, you may need a WiFi range extender from your Internet Service Provider.
• Elevate the router to the highest point possible, do not place on the ground or inside of a cabinet, instead set it on top of a desk or table
• Do not place objects, especially metal objects, on top of or around the router that may block or obstruct the wireless signal
• Avoid using your wireless devices near common sources of interference, such as power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights, wireless video cameras, and cordless phones.
• Keep other small electronic devices like phones and handheld gaming devices at least 3 feet away from the computer, Chromebook, or tablet you are trying to use to reduce the number of active devices that use the same wireless frequency band. Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices use the 2.4 GHz band, but many Wi-Fi devices can use the 5 GHz band instead. If your Wi-Fi router supports both bands, it might help to connect more of your Wi-Fi devices to the 5GHz band. Some dual-band routers manage this for you automatically.

• If you are still unable to connect to your home Wi-Fi, please check with your ISP or network hardware manufacturer’s website for support links.

  • Netgear
  • ASUS
  • Linksys
  • D-Link
  • TP-Link
  • Google Nest Wi-Fi
• Still stumped? Please call your Internet Service Provider for further troubleshooting or to improve Internet connectivity in your home.
  • Verizon
  • T-Mobile/Sprint
  • AT&T
  • Comcast Xfinity

Other Technology Issues?

Visit the Family Tech Support website or email your building IT:

• Andersonville Elementary - aetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Bailey Lake Elementary - bletech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Clarkston Elementary - cetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Independence Elementary - ietech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Pine Knob Elementary - pketech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• North Sashabaw Elementary - nsetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Springfield Plains Elementary - spetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Sashabaw Middle School - smstech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Clarkston Junior High - cjhtech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Clarkston High School - chstech@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Renaissance High School - rhstech@clarkston.k12.mi.us

For device distribution information, please visit our 1:1 Technology website or call your building's main office during business hours.

All students in Grades 3-12 have a district-issued Gmail account. Your account is filtered, managed and monitored by school district employees who work in the Technology Department. 

When you learn in an online setting, you will need to check your District Gmail account every day for information from your teachers and other adults about coursework, lessons, and/or content.   All elementary-aged students, with support from a parent or guardian, should check their District Gmail account every day.  All middle school and high school students should check their District Gmail account every day, too. Gmail is going to be an important tool for getting the information you need to successfully learn in the cloud.  And if you need help using Gmail, CCS educators can support you.

As a reminder, here's how you can access your District Gmail account

• Use any browser to access Gmail.  You can go to Chrome and type in Gmail.
• Click on Gmail and log in using the following information:
  • Your first initial, middle initial and last name, then the last two numbers in your graduation year@clarkston.k12.mi.us (example: cpjones24@clarkston.k12.mi.us)
  • Your password should be your district login password.

It's essential that everyone behaves responsibly and appropriately in an online learning setting  It's not just students who have to follow those procedures, the adults do as well. As a quick reminder, when you're online, be sure to:

• Use respectful behavior and language.  
• Stick to appropriate topic discussions. 
• Send only appropriate video transmissions.  
• Use only appropriate icon, emoji, and avatar submissions.
• Wear school appropriate clothing if you are attending meetings via video.
• Be honest and do not plagiarizing or copying others’ work -- in other words, use academic integrity.
• Not falsify information about yourself or impersonate others online.

When everyone remembers to act kindly, show consideration for others, and treat one another online as you wish to be treated in person, we'll all be able to focus on learning.

Attendance

Students are expected to check in to each class session and have their attendance noted. Student cameras should be on during this check-in period.

Grading

All assigned work and assessments will be graded by the teacher, and grades or feedback will be issued to the student in the same manner they would during Face-to-Face in-person instruction. Grading is based on coursework and assessments, mirroring the traditional in-person learning environment. Timely feedback and reporting of grades will keep students and families aware of individual progress.

Student class schedules, teacher assignments, bus stops and grades are available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE.

Access and update your ParentVUE account.

Google Classroom(Grades 3-12) – Google Classroom is the unified learning management system for all students in Grades 3-12. Google Classroom will act as a student’s hub or digital planner, housing all links, assignments and resources. Google Drive will act as a student’s digital backpack, housing folders and documents as needed. Teachers will help students set up an organizational system. To add Google Classroom, go to https://classroom.google.com, then click “sign in.” Sign in with your student’s CCS Google account (@clarkston.k12.mi.us). By Monday, September 7, students will be automatically enrolled in their teachers’ distance learning Google Classroom for each of their classes. Students will need to log into their school Google accounts and check school email to enter the Google Classroom dashboard. If you do not see all of your classes in your Google Classroom you may need to use a class code provided by your teacher. Please check your school email. At the top of the Classes page, click the “+” and select “Join class” and enter the class code (If you do not see all of your classes and your teacher has not emailed you a class code, please email him or her to request this prior to the start of school.) For help logging in to email or Google Classroom, please email HelpDesk@clarkston.k12.mi.us. 

Seesaw (Y5-Grade 2)–  Seesaw gives students in Y5-Grade 2 creative tools to capture and reflect on their learning in real time with teachers and families. The Seesaw App is on district iPads and Chromebooks. You can download Seesaw Family App on your phone for iOS, Android, or use the web to view your student’s learning. When your child adds new work, you will receive a notification to view, hear and/or respond to your child’s learning item. You only have access to your own child’s work and all of the content is stored securely. Please contact your classroom teacher with any questions about Seesaw.  For help logging in to email or Google Classroom, please email HelpDesk@clarkston.k12.mi.us. 

Family Technology Support  – A Technology Support website was created by the CCS Instructional Technology Team  to help parents learn more about their student’s iPads, Chromebooks and other educational resources like Seesaw. You can also visit our Support for Online Learners webpage or email HelpDesk@clarkston.k12.mi.us or call 248-623-5406 for help. 

Additional Support - Please call your building’s main office during business hours for any assistance you may need. Weekend and after-hours inquiries can be directed to the following contacts. Please allow 24 hours for a response. 

• Have you checked our website? Support for Online Learners
• Accessing Your Schedule and ParentVUE/StudentVUE Troubleshooting: SynergySupport@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Google Meet/Zoom Link or Google Classroom Code Needed: Email your teacher  
• Other Google Classroom/Email/Technology Issues (by building):
  • Andersonville Elementary  - aetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us  
  • Bailey Lake Elementary - bletech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Clarkston Elementary - cetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Independence Elementary - ietech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Pine Knob Elementary - pketech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • North Sashabaw Elementary - nsetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Springfiled Plains Elementary - spetech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Sashabaw Middle School - smstech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Clarkston Junior High - cjhtech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Clarkston High School - chstech@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
• Device Distribution Information: Call our main office during business hours. 
• Clarkston Virtual Help: ClarkstonVirtual@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• Distance Learning Inquiries: Fall2020@clarkston.k12.mi.us
• All Other Inquiries: Info@clarkston.k12.mi.us