Dearborn Public Schools
There is a known issue with FireFox and rendering of PDF’s. This may frustrate some users. The easiest fix is to use a browser other than FireFox if you need to view reports through MI-STAR or Class A.
If you are an advanced user and set on using FireFox, the issue revolves around the default way that FireFox handles PDF’s. You could restore FireFox to using Adobe Reader as the PDF reader.
If you use an iOS device (iPhone or iPad) to sync with your work email, please make sure that you have updated to iOS 6.1.2. This update fixes an issue with Exchange. You can check which version you are on by tapping on:
– Settings
– General
-About
Then scroll down to version. It should say 6.1.2
If not, go back to your General Settings and select Software Update.
Here is a great resource for reviewing visual graphics of data representation. As humans, we are very visual. It can be easy to fall into using just one or two graphics. This is the Periodic Chart done as visuals.
The table is broken into different segments:
Holding your mouse over each “element” will provide a pop-up that demonstrates the visual.
https://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html
From time to time it is necessary to “clean house”. We have several blogs that have not been updated since 2010. Over the next few days we will be pruning these abandoned blogs from our network. We will be deleting blogs that have not been updated since August of 2011. Anything that has been updated since August of 2011 will be safe from this round of house cleaning.
Have a great day and happy blogging!
Please contact Chris Kenniburg with questions or concerns.
MI-STAR is constantly being updated. This comes from RESA. Several teachers have had some issues connecting from home. In doing some trouble-shooting, a “quick fix” is to update your browser. FireFox 18 is compatible with the MI-STAR site.
Chris K. and I are hanging out at Salina Intermediate School.
The great staff here has had some terrific questions. We’ve had the opportunity to share some tips, tricks, strategies and more.
Thanks to the wonderful staff for an opportunity to share strategies.
The Technology Department is constantly looking at ways to be fiscally prudent, future proof and modeling best practice. Part of our model of doing that is to implement open source software where appropriate. Here are some of the open source software pieces we’ve implemented:
We will continue to investigate resources to make district as efficient and responsible as possible.
We have a piece of SPAM that is currently making it through our filters. This is definitely SPAM. The message looks like it comes from iTunes. It claims to be a $500 credit, billed to Hilary Shandonay.
Do not click on the link. Delete this.
Thanks.
It looks like this:
In order to more efficiently help you, we’ve set up a quick system for entering concerns with technology. This is a form (available at https://dearbornschools.org/helpdesk ) or by going to the Dearborn Public Schools Web page and clicking on Staff and selecting HelpDesk Ticket.
Why a form? This makes sure that we get the appropriate information to help you. For example, a teacher may be frustrated with a printer. Since we have a contract with a printing company, we forward Help requests to that company. However, that company needs the “A” number in order to follow up. Frequently, teachers don’t know that they need to include this number. What follows is frustration on many fronts. By using the form, the teacher is prompted for that information. That way, the frustration over getting the printer fixed is lowered.
Periodically, we deactivate users who haven’t signed in for a period of time. Dearborn Public Schools utilizes email heavily. It is a professional expectation that all employees check their email regularly. In order to help keep our information current, we are currently deactivating users who have not signed into the system for 90 days.
If you have not signed into your account for over 90 days and can’t sign in, please contact the HelpDesk.