In-Person Learning "Technology Guide"

Students returning for in-person school should plan to bring their PWCS-assigned laptop and charger with them to school and take that laptop and charger back home each day.

Parents may gently clean the laptop, when necessary, by using an alcohol wipe to disinfectant the keyboard and external surfaces. Do not use disinfectant spray on the device or apply hand sanitizer directly on the device as it may damage it.

To maintain overall "laptop health", all students should shut down their device at the end of each day. (Just like a good night's sleep, everything runs better with a fresh start!)

  Return to Building Reminders:

• Bring your PWCS laptop everyday (fully charged)
• Bring your Power cord everyday
• Bring your headphones/earbuds everyday

Who can I contact when I need assistance?

"Make it Work" - If your device is not working:

FIRST STEP:

1. Restart your computer.  If this doesn't resolve the issue, go to the next step.

NEXT STEP:

Request help using the PWCS  ZenDesk 

Once you submit the request, you will be contacted with instructions on how and when to receive assistance. 

• Problems with the keyboard, mouse pad, sound or camera
• Device is broken, not charging, etc.
• Can't log into the device, Device is not connecting to the network, Application login error message
• Locked out of your account and password reset is not working
  
  If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, please submit another help request. Include a detailed explanation of the issue that you are experiencing (and a snapshot of any error messages).
  
  

If you need assistance before or after school:

Email or call the PWCS Helpdesk ([email protected] or 703-791-8826. The Help Desk is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

"Teach me how to use the device or a program":

• Have a question about using Office 365, Canvas, Clever, Adobe Spark, StudentVUE, or Zoom
• Need a quick tutorial on using your device or an app

How do I log into my school laptop?

· Your username is everything to the left of the "@ sign" of your PWCS email address. For example, if your email address was [email protected], your computer login would be:

· Username Example: LawsonJC22

· Your Password is the password that you are currently using to log into Office 365 and all apps

·

How can I reset my password?

Students who have returned to the building can continue to reset their own password by going to: https://studentpss.pwcs.edu or https://toolbox.pwcs.edu/

Websites to Bookmark:

Canvas.pwcs.edu

Office365.pwcs.edu

Studentvue.pwcs.edu

Pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us

How do I connect my personal device to the Wi-Fi? (note: the guest network is only to be used on devices such as your Smart Phone). Do not attempt to switch your school laptop to the guest network.

Network: PWCS-Guest

Password: Effective with the 23-24 school year, Staff and students will not be prompted to login using their PWCS credentials.

Who to contact for device or app assistance if you are a Virtual student:

Student Apps Assistance
If you know your username and password, but need student app assistance (activating and or/using the following programs, please email the teacher of the course that you need assistance with.

Canvas.pwcs.edu

Office365.pwcs.edu

Studentvue.pwcs.edu

Pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us

Laptop Quick Tips

Webcam Not Working:

Turn off the privacy shutter at the top of the screen, above the webcam.

Studio, Flipgrid, or Office 365 Will Not Load:

• Make sure you are using Google Chrome to access Canvas. Safari and Edge block cookies not allowing Canvas Studio to load 3rd party websites

Audio Not Working:

• Plug in headphones and see if you can switch speakers in Zoom
• Still not working, hold down the power button on the laptop for 1 minute
• Restart the computer, audio should be enabled

Computer Running Slow:

• Try to keep the number of programs open to 2 or 3
• Limit the number of tabs in Google Chrome to 4 or less

Resolving Browser Issues:

• Verify that you are using your Chrome Browser
• Web tools and websites may require a Hard Refresh to work properly, Shortcut keys: Ctrl + Shift + R
• Try completely shutting down and restarting your device.
• Information about sites stored within Chrome may need to be cleared. View steps to clear your Cookies & Cache

Unable To Login To Your PWCS Issued Laptop? Getting A "No Domain Found" Error?

If you are a "Virtual" student and are using a school issued device that will not let you login:

• If you have never logged into the device, please refer to the login directions that were provided to you when the device was picked up. If you are unable to locate the directions, please send an email request to [email protected].
• If you have logged into the device before, but now it is locked, please wait about 30 minutes and the device should reset. If you are unable to use the device (after waiting 30 minutes), please send an email to [email protected]
• If you receive a message, "the username or password is incorrect. Try again" confirm that the Caps Lock & Num Lock keys on the keyboard are off. Try using the number keys that are located directly above the letter keys.

Using split screens is really helpful when you are trying to view two things at once on your device. For example, if you are in Canvas and need to look at a Google Doc at the same time. There are several different ways to set up a split screen, depending on the device you are using. Here are some tips to get you started.

Chromebook

Start by clicking and dragging down the tab you want on the right or left. This will separate the tab from the others and create a new window.

Quick Tip: You can also use the shortcut Alt + [ to move left, or Alt + ] to move right.

Windows 7 or 10

Quick Tip: You can also use the shortcut Windows Key + Left Arrow to move left, or Windows Key + Right Arrow to move right.

Mac

Every home network is different, so it can be difficult to say specifically what the issue may be for you and your system. However, here are a couple of tips that will help make the best use of your available internet speed.

• Reduce the number of open tabs/windows to only those necessary (Each open tab uses more resources and more bandwidth)

• Disconnect devices from your wifi that are not in use during class sessions (Every bit helps!)

• Restart your computer in the morning and at lunch to clear unnecessary background processes. (Just like a good night's sleep, everything runs better with a fresh start!)

ParentVUE Assistance

Need an account/activation key
Need password assistance

If you need assistance with accessing or activating your ParentVUE account, please email your child's Administrative Assistant.  Refer to the "Alpha" order below to identify your contact person.

Alpha (A-CAR): Ms. Katelyn Manetta - [email protected]

Alpha (CAS-HAMI): Mrs.  Lindsey McKenzie - [email protected]

Alpha (HAMJ-McR): Mrs. Claudia Vela - [email protected]

Alpha (MD-RODN): Ms. Connor Sadler - [email protected]

Alpha (RODO-Z):  Mrs. Dena Covington - C[email protected]

StudentVUE

This app is where students access bus and class schedules, grades, attendance information. StudentVUE accounts are already created for students.

There are two ways to access StudentVUE:
1. Go to Google Chrome and enter this link: studentvue.pwcs.edu

2. Download the StudentVUE app by searching "StudentVUE" in the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores.

The mobile app will ask for a district address. It is: https://va-pwcps-psv.edupoint.com/

Log in with your [email protected] (your county email address and your password) and click Login.

If you can log into other county applications, but cannot log into StudentVUE, please verify that you are logging in with your whole email address. For example if your username is JamesAF22, you will log into StudentVUE with [email protected].

If you have forgotten your password, go to Password Self Serve to reset it. Don't forget, when you reset your password, it updates the "new password" for all county apps.

Make sure your Zoom app is updated

It is important to make sure that your app is updated. Open the file below and follow the steps.
Update Zoom App

Video Directions

Link to download Chrome

App Assistance will be provided to students who have not been able to successfully log into Canvas,  Clever, Office 365, or Zoom (or students who need help navigating an App)

During the school year (Monday - Friday), please email Mrs. Wortham at [email protected]
Include your first and last name and your grade level.  Provide a detailed description of the problem that you are having with the app.  If you are getting an error message, please include a screenshot of the message. 

1.  If you email a request that is after work hours (or over the weekend), you will not receive a response until the next business day.
2.  If Tech Support is needed to resolve your issue, your email will be forwarded to our school's Tech Specialist, Mr. Hesington.
3.  If you need immediate assistance, contact the PWCS Helpdesk at 703-791-8826.

Note: App Assistance is not provided by Mrs. Wortham during Holidays, Summer Vacation, or other times when the school is closed.

Note:  Mrs. Wortham assists students with activating PWCS Canvas, Clever, Office365, and Zoom Accounts.  Her role is to show you how to use our county approved apps. 

If you need technical assistance because something is wrong with your school issued laptop, please call the PWCS Help desk or contact our school's Technical Support Specialist (Mr. Hesington).

If you can log into your accounts, but need help with accessing modules, pages, documents, assignments, meeting links, please email your classroom teacher.

The use of digital devices in PWCS is an integral part of the PWCS learning environment, and the policies governing the use of digital devices support all academic use. To maintain the integrity of the use of digital devices, all students and parents/guardians must acknowledge and agree to the following conditions of use, per Regulation 426.01-2.  View the handbook by clicking on the link below.

PWCS Parent/Student Digital Device Handbook 

OFFICE 365 for PWCS Students and Staff

How to Upload Files and Folders in OneDrive

Watch Video Here

Log Into Your PWCS Office 365 Account

If unable to complete step one, due to a password problem:

Go to Password Self Service ( http://studentpss.pwcs.edu) and reset your password.

If a reset does not work, your password may have expired. Submit an email request to [email protected] for assistance with an expired password. This request does not have to be sent from your PWCS account. Include your full name and student ID.

If you are new to PWCS and do not know your username and Student ID:

• Please ask your school counselor or the school's registrar for your school email address when you register.
• See a Library staff member for assistance.