Q: What is Google Classroom?
A: Classroom is a web service that makes it easy for learners and instructors to interact, connect and share instructional content. It brings a lot of benefits to the table for teachers and students, many of which are listed here.
Q: Why did we switch to Classroom?
A: We’ve actually been using Classroom in the district for several years, to varying degrees. It has traditionally been more popular with teachers who teach our older student populations, but it has been expanding through the district. Every classroom teacher will utilize Google Classroom in some capacity to communicate with you.
If you have several students in the district, it can be difficult to manage parent/teacher communications since every teacher might communicate via different means. During our Strategic Planning process, one message that was heard loud and clear was a desire for more consistent communications to parents. With Classroom guardian email summaries, you can get a class update every evening for each student in the district. One email will you give you a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your student’s classes. The synergy of these different features makes it possible for you, as a parent, to receive information about your student’s school from a consistent source so you don’t have to go hunting for information.
Q: How do I sign up for my child’s Classroom?
A: You don’t actually! Classroom is designed to function best between teachers and students. If you, as a parent, want to actively explore your student’s Google Classrooms, we encourage you to sit next to your student at a computer and have your student login to Classroom. Then they can show you around a little. What you, as a parent, want is to be registered as a guardian for your students.
Q: What if my Classroom code isn't working?
A: You're not actually doing anything wrong. The Classroom code exists to let students join a Classroom, something that you can't do as a parent. All you need to do is ensure that you're registered as a guardian for your students. If you want to view the Classroom itself, we recommend having your student login and then you can sit next to them to explore the Classroom content.
Q: How do I get registered as a Guardian?
A: By now, one of your student’s teachers should have reached out to you with information about this. But if they haven’t, that’s ok. You can email any of your student’s teachers and ask them to add you as a guardian. Simply provide them with the email address you wish to use for registration, and they can invite you quickly and easily. Once the invite arrives, you will need to accept the invitation, then you will be attached as a guardian to your student. If you use a Google account for email, you can check your guardian status at this site.
Q: Does it matter what email address I use to register as a guardian?
A: Any address you prefer will work, but you’ll get the most functionality out of Classroom if you use the same address for every student and if that address is a Google account. More information can be found here.
Q: Can I change my guardian email frequency?
A: Possibly, depending on the email you used to register as a guardian. Try logging in here. If this does not provide you with settings to change, we recommend changing your guardian email to a Gmail account.
Q: I asked for a guardian invitation and it never arrived?
A: First, check your spam folder. It’s possible that your email provider was worried it was spam. If there’s no sign of it there, feel free to ask the teacher to resend. If the invite still doesn’t get through, ask the teacher to contact the Technology Department for assistance.
Q: I received my guardian invite, but when I click accept it takes me to the Google Classroom app and nothing is there?
A: If this happens, we recommend trying again from a computer instead of a mobile device. Depending on how your account settings are configured, your phone can make it difficult for Google to know which account you are trying to accept from. Performing the process again from a computer usually clears this up.
Q: Can I unsubscribe from the guardian summaries?
A: Yes, every guardian email summary will have a link at the bottom to unsubscribe. We strongly recommend you stay subscribed though, as unsubscribing can also remove you as registered guardian in Google Classroom.
Q: Does Classroom keep my student’s information safe?
A: Yes. Every student in our district receives a Google for Education account already, and their Classroom account is protected by those privacy and security requirements. For more information on the pledges Google has made about student information privacy, please visit this site.
Q: What if I’m still having trouble?
A: Your first point of contact is your child’s teacher(s). If they can’t get to the bottom of the issue, they’ll forward the concern up to our Technology Department so we can sort out the trouble. Either way, thank you for your patience while we adjust as a district!