4/2/2025 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Spring Edition

• PLC Activities with Digital Tools - Optionally Delightful

• Quizizz AI Toolkit

• AI Prompt Engineering and Best Practices

• Google NotebookLM

• SST Creation and Management Tool: SameGoal Handout

• Welcome Back! Adobe Express

• Nearpod Updates

• Kami New Features

  • Understand

  • AI Questions

• HDTDT Live - Recap

• Ed Tech PD Opportunities April - May

1/21/2025 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Winter Edition

• Modesto Student Analytics (MSA) App Name Change in MCS App Portal on 1/22/25

• MOSIS to PowerSchool for Teachers Quick Tips

• NEW PowerSchool PowerBuddy Tool

  • In Performance Matters for Teachers

  • In Schoology for Teachers

  • In Schoology for Students

• NEW ParentSquare Features

  • Posts: Rewrite Feature

  • Studio Editor: Auto-Generated Alt Text for Images

• Turnitin Grammar Update

• Quizizz New Feature: Collaborative Assessments

• Padlet New Features: Video Discussions and Whiteboard Sandbox

• Ed Tech January PD

12/3/2024 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter 7-12 Semester Change Edition

• Semester 1 Archive Dates & Semester 2 Availability Dates

• S2 Setups - PowerTeacher Pro and Schoology

• Blocksi S2 Setups

10/15/2024 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Fall Edition

• Cybersecurity Awareness Month

• Nearpod Celebrates Digital Citizenship Week

• Streamline Your Parent-Teacher Conferences with ParentSquare (K-6)

• ParentSquare Direct Messaging Feature

• Skooli Online Tutoring in Schoology

• MSA Ed Tech Liaison Monthly PD at Your School Site

• AI Committee Update

• HDTDT Live Teaser

• Kami's New Makeover and AI Question Feature

• Quizizz Flash Cards and Video Quiz Feature

8/7/2024 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Back to School Edition

• Back to School Digital Curriculum Access Dates

• NEW! Modesto Student Analytics: Classroom

• Protect Your Tech: Top 7 Student Device Tips

• Blocksi Classroom Management Setup

• Beginning of year setup PowerTeacher Pro and Schoology

• NEW! Schoology Lesson Planner

• ParentSquare Back to School Tips

• ISTA for 7-12

• MCS App Portal Quick Cards TK-2

• MCS Course & Grade Roadmap Website

• Join MCS Ed Tech Explorers and Missions

• Upcoming EdTech PD in August

• Introducing the MCS EdTech Dept at IETS

5/22/2024 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Summer Edition

• Reminder: New Schoology User Interface

• Reminder: Update your Test/Quiz in Schoology before July 1st

• PowerSchool, Schoology and Curriculum Dates

• TK-6 Report Card Refresher

• PowerTeacher Pro 7-12 Final Grade Processes

• Schoology EOY

• Schoology Summer Arrangements

• New to Schoology for Teachers: Lesson Planner

• Esports Tournament Review

• Digital Learning Academies for 24/25

• Upcoming EdTech PD in June

• Assessment & Evaluation News

• MCS Course & Grade Roadmap Website

3/26/2024 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Spring Edition

• NEW Schoology User Interface July 1st

• Update your Test/Quiz in Schoology before July 1st

• ParentSquare Updates

• Edpuzzle Live and Originals

• Kami Curriculum Mode

• SchooLinks Senior To-Dos

• How Did They Do That Live

• Esports Student Testimonials

• AI Prompt Engineering and Best Practices

• Ed Tech Tool Updates: Microsoft Editor, Padlet, LucidChart to FigJam

• Skooli Online Tutoring for All Students

• EdTech PD Opportunities in PD Catalog - April 2024

• CAASPP Assessment & Evaluation Reminders

1/17/2024 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Winter Edition

• Blocksi S2 Setups

• NEW! Nearpod Student Accounts

• HDTDT Live Recaps: Nov Topic AI / Dec Topic Computer Science

• Schoology: Course Organization Ideas and S2 Setups

• MCS App Portal Tips: Auto-Launch, My Classes, and Organization ideas

• Ed Tech Tool Showcase: Google Drawings

• Ed Tech Tool Updates: Schoology and MagicSchool AI

• Ed Tech January PD

Link to 12/6/23 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter

7-12 Semester 1 Archive Dates & Semester 2 Availability Dates

In this Special Edition Bits and Bytes eNewsletter you will find info about:

• Semester 1 Archive Dates and Semester 2 Availability Dates

• S2 Setups for PowerTeacher Pro and Schoology

• NEW PROCESS: Blocksi S2 Setups

10/17/2023 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Fall Edition

• Skooli Online Tutoring for All Students in Schoology

• Blocksi Tips and Tricks for Teachers

• WeVideo NEW Easy Auto-Created Video Assignments

• How Did They Do That Live Recaps (Sept & Oct)

• Nov 1st Ed Tech PD Options

• K-6 Focuses:

  • Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling Options with ParentSquare

  • Schoology Elementary Experience

• 7-12 Focuses:

  • SchooLinks NEW Career / College Platform

  • 5-Star Students Hall Passes Feature

  • Turnitin within Schoology Translated Matching Feature

• IETS Ed Tech Program Updates

  • Esports

  • Ed Tech Liaisons

  • Ed Tech Tuesdays

8/1/2023 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Welcome Back to School Edition

• Back to School Digital Curriculum Access Dates

• Protect Your Tech: Top 10 Student Device Tips

• ISTA for 7-12 Students

• Blocksi: Our New Classroom Management App (Replaces NetRef)

• MCS App Portal Quick Cards TK-2

• Join MCS Ed Tech Explorers / Google Explorers

• Introducing the MCS Ed Tech Dept at IETS

• PBIS Rewards for TK-8 and 5-Star for 9-12

• ParentSquare and StudentSquare

• PowerTeacher Pro and Schoology Beginning of Year Setups

• Esports @ MCS

• AI @ MCS

5/9 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter May Edition

• Join MCS Ed Tech Explorers Program 2023-24 School Year

• Dates for PowerSchool, Schoology, and Digital Curriculum

• MCS Course & Grade Roadmap Website

• TK-6 Report Card Refresher

• PowerTeacher Pro 7-12 Final Grades Process

• Schoology End of Year Best Practices

• Schoology Summer Setups

• AI in Education: Edpuzzle's AI Teacher Assist

• AI in Education: Turnitin's AI Writing Detection

• Ed Tech PD

• Esports Update

• CLTs - Lab Updates and End of Year Wrap Up

• Performance Matters End of Year Process

• Tech End of Year Reminders

No Bits and Bytes eNewsletter for April

This year, the April Newsletter was too good. In fact, it was so amazing that it managed to escape from our servers and went on the lam. Luckily we were able to capture it for our grand finale in May!

3/14 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter March Edition

• New Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Schedule

• ISTE Knowledge Constructor / Facilitator

• Course and Grade Roadmap Website

• Schoology Portfolios

• Search Strategies

• HDTDT Live Promo and Recap

• Ed Tech PD

• MCS Esports

• STEAM Showcase

• Tools for Teachers CAASPP

• Performance Matters Usage

2/14 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter February Edition

• Cyberbullying PD for Staff

• Email & Cybersecurity PD Self-paced Course for Staff

• Skooli Online Tutoring for Students

• K-8 Student Film Festival

• ISTE Standards Students Empowered Learner and Educator Learner

• Ed Tech PD Opportunities

• HDTDT Live March Invite

• District Approved Ed Tech Tools

• StudyMate in Schoology

• Nearpod Updates Recap!

• Edpuzzle Student Create & Updates

• STEAM Showcase from Elementary Schools

• Performance Matters Shared Reports and CAASPP Training Test for Students

1/10 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter January Edition

• Semester 2 Setups PowerTeacher Pro and Schoology

• Transitioning away from Adobe Creative Cloud Express and Quizlet

• PowerSchool 22.5 Update: Student Groups Feature

• Skooli Online Tutoring for 7-12 Students

• Chart a New Course Book Talk PD

• Creative Communicator / Leader ISTE

• Ed Tech PD

• HDTDT Live February Event

• ParentSquare Testimonial

• Kami New Schoology Integration and Updates

• WeVideo Visual Updates

• Edpuzzle Updates

• Canva Updates

• Flip Updates (formerly known as Flipgrid)

12/13 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter December Edition

• Semester 1 Archive Dates & Semester 2 Availability Dates

• Skooli New Online Tutoring for 7-12 Students & MVA

• ISTE Standards Analyst for Educator and Computational Thinker for Students

• Ed Tech PD

• HDTDT Live Recap Dec and Highlight Feb

• Ed Tech Explorer Missions

  • Chart a New Course Mission

  • Common Sense Digital Citizenship Mission

  • Google Level 1 Certification Mission Update

• CFU Round Up: Quizizz, Gimkit, StudyMate, Blooket, Kahoot

• Feedback Tools Round Up: Schoology Kami & Google Assignments Feedback Tools

• Python Task Cards in Elementary and CanSAT Showcase

• Performance Matters Baseball Card Report with Standards

11/8 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter November Edition

• ISTE Designer Standard for Educators and Students

• Ed Tech PD Catalog

• Ed Tech Training Services

• HDTDT Live November Recap and Upcoming December

• ISTA for 7-12 Students Complete by Nov 18

• Kami Updates

• Canva Updates

• WeVideo New Layout

• Edpuzzle Student Creation

• Student Choice

• Quizizz Pro Tips

• STEAM Showcase Bret Harte and Johansen

• Performance Matters Student Choice and Observational Assessments

10/11 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter October Edition

• Join MCS Ed Tech Explorers Google Certification Level 1 Mission

• PowerSchool Student Alerts with Student Health Plans

• Transitioning away from Adobe Creative Cloud Express and Quizlet

• ISTE Standards Digital Citizen Educator and Student

• 5 Ways to Be a Super Digital Student

• Student Data Privacy

• MCS Cyber Security Awareness

• Edpuzzle Privacy Self-Paced Course

• HDTDT Live October Recap and Upcoming November

• Nearpod Digital Citizenship Library

• Ed Tech PD Catalog

• NetRef and Esports Program

• Performance Matters - How Students Use and Share Scores with Students

• PowerSchool Grade Reporting

9/13 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter September Edition

• ParentSquare Tips and Best Practices

• PBIS Rewards Tips and Best Practices

• HDTDT Live recap of 9/6 and Join Us on 10/4

• Ed Tech PD Coming Up

• When in Doubt Contact Help Desk Contest

• Schoology Elementary

• Flipgrid is now Flip

• Kami Updates

• WeVideo Updates

• Nearpod Updates

• Introducing Quizizz Lessons

• NetRef and Esports Program

• PowerSchool Grade Reporting

• Performance Matters: Test Completion Report, PD, and Languages

August Welcome Back to School 2022-23 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter featuring:

MCS Ed Tech Team; ParentSquare; PBIS Rewards; PowerTeacher Pro and Schoology Beginning of Year Setups; Schoology Elementary Experience; Schoology Updates; PowerSchool Updates; Performance Matters Updates; New Technology in the Classroom; ISTA for 7-12 Students; NetRef; MCS App Portal Quick Cards for TK-2; Help Desk Portal, PD Catalog, and Join this years MCS Ed Tech Explorers Program!

5/10 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter May Edition

• Join MCS Ed Tech Explorers Program 2022-23 School Year

• Dates for PowerSchool, Schoology, and Digital Curriculum

• TK-6 Report Card Refresher

• PowerTeacher Pro Final Grades Process

• Schoology End of Year Best Practices

• Schoology Summer Setups

• Schoology Elementary Experience

• Schoology Immersive Reader

• Computer Science Updates: CLTs, Robotics

• Video Showcase: How Performance Mattered at Bret Harte

• Performance Matters: May Training and Star Teacher

• Prize Contest: Just Log-in by May 20 to Performance Matters

4/6 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter April Edition

• Global Collaborator ISTE

• HDTDT Live: May ISTE Showcase Events

• Ed Tech PD Catalog

• Flipgrid GridPals

• Virtual Field Trips

• Google Arts and Culture

• Empatico

• Nearpod VR

• Edpuzzle Now in Spanish

• Edpuzzle Live Mode

• CLT What's Going On

• Performance Matters In-Person Trainings

3/8 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter March Edition

• New Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Schedule

• ISTE Knowledge Constructor / Facilitator

• Course and Grade Roadmap Website

• Schoology Portfolios

• Search Strategies

• HDTDT Live Promo and Recap

• Ed Tech PD

• MCS Esports

• STEAM Showcase

• Tools for Teachers CAASPP

• Performance Matters Usage

2/8 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter February Edition

• Quizizz Pro - Pilot Vote!

• Empowered Learner ISTE

• HDTDT Live

• Smart Start Ed Tech Lessons for Students

• StudyMate in Schoology

• Performance Matters

• Canva Vendor Led Workshop Schedule

• Ed Tech App Updates: Quizizz, Kami, WeVideo

• MFA Multi-Factor Authentication Recap

1/25 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter January Edition

• Creative Communicator ISTE

• Ed Tech PD January - March

• WeVideo

• Canva for Education

• Flipgrid with Canva App Smash

• Schoology Discussions

• Performance Matters

12/14 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter December Edition

• Semester 1 Archive Dates & Semester 2 Availability Dates

• Computational Thinker ISTE

• Tinkercad Codeblocks

• Our Youngest Scholars are Computer Programming!

• HDTDT Live December Recap and February Preview

• Demos

• Edpuzzle Screen Recording

• Microsoft Translate App

• Gimkit Update

• Performance Matters

• Happy Holidays

11/9 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter November Edition

• Semester 1 Archive Dates & Semester 2 Availability Dates

• Innovative Designer ISTE with 3 New PD Catalog Opportunities

• SketchUp Edu

• HDTDT Live December Preview

• Quizizz Pro

• QR Codes

• Performance Matters

• Google Sites Update

10/12 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter October Edition

• STIS CR Setup Resources (Short Term Independent Study Covid-Related)

• How Did They Do That Live

• ISTE Standards for Students: Digital Citizen

• 5 Ways To Be A Super Digital Student

• Turnitin Source Credibility

• Turnitin Draft Coach Add-on in Google Docs

• Performance Matters Did You Know Video Series

9/14 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter September Edition

• How Did They Do That Live -Schedule and Recap ISTE for Students

• MCS Ed Tech Explorers - Apply Today!

• Schoology - OneDrive Assignments

• Kami - New Updates

• NetRef - New Updates

• Edpuzzle - New Updates

• Performance Matters - Creating Reports and Tests

• Ed Tech PD

• Top Ed Tech Tools

August 2021 Welcome Back To School Edition

• Smart Start Ed Tech Lessons

• Schoology Beginning of the Year Setups

• Teacher Lenovo Laptop

• Classroom TV, Audio, and Document Camera Setup

• Student Chromebook Laptop

• Go School Messenger

• ISTA for 7-12 Students

• Help Desk Portal

• Tech Orders Software Review Process

• District Ed Tech Tools and Scheduling Support

• Performance Matters: Our New Assessment Platform

4/19 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter April Edition

• WeVideo Introduction - New District License for K-12 Teachers & Students

• New Help Desk Portal with Live Chat!

• MFT The Secure Way to Send and Receive Files

• Chrome Sync for easy transfer of Chrome bookmarks to a new device

• Schoology Calendar / Gradebook Tips

• Teams Breakout Rooms Tips How-to Manage Rooms

• Learn to Split Screens on Windows and Chromebooks

• How Did They Do That Live: April 20 - Student Research Resources

• April - May EdTech Training in PD Catalog

• PowerSchool PowerTeacher Pro Updates

• #AskATechCoach Kami Heroes

3/15 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter March Edition

• Hybrid Distance Learning Resource Website

• Virtual Field Trips! Join us for How Did They Do That Live on March 16th

• SEL Social-Emotional Learning Website Update

• March Ed Tech PD 0.5% Incentive Opportunities

• Microsoft Teams Changing Your Notification Settings

• Kahoot Update! Use it now in Distance Learning

• Computer Science in our Schools

• #AskATechCoach Flipgrid Madness

• EdTech Resource Tour Videos

2/2 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter February Edition

• SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Resource Website

• HDTDT Live on Feb 10 - SEL in the Classroom Showcase

• Ed Tech PD for February

• NetRef Self-Paced Course and New Features

• NEW Teams Breakout Rooms and Updated Features

• Educator Pro License for Loom and Canva

• #AskATechCoach Presenter Coach in PowerPoint with Flipgrid

12/15 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter December Edition

• TechOrders Request New Apps

• Ed Tech PD Training for January

• How Did They Do That Live: Student Projects Showcase - Wed Dec 16 at 3:15pm-4:15pm

• Schoology Course Setup Ideas

• Schoology for 7-12 Grades: Semester 1 and Semester 2 Transition

• Schoology Sync Tips

• New Teams Features including Breakout Rooms!

• Get Teams Updates

• Lockdown Browser on Chromebook

• Classroom Tech Setup Guide and How-To Video Using Classroom TV and Multiple Monitors

11/17 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter November Edition

• Hybrid Hub Series Videos and Schoology Distance Learning Group Hybrid Hub Resource Folder

• How Did They Do That Live: Coding Across the Curriculums on Thur Nov 19 at 3:15pm-4:15pm, Counts toward 0.5%

• PD Catalog Ed Tech Trainings for Nov 23 - Dec 23, Counts toward 0.5% with Early and Late Start Times

• Schoology How to Create Grading Groups and Individually Assign

• TK-2 Student Login Chromebook and Quick Card QR Codes for MCS App Portal

• Reminder Student Device Updates

• #AskATechCoach: Hybrid Hub Model Episode

10/13 Bits and Bytes eNewsletter October Edition

• New Teams Features: Hard Mute and Spotlight

• Teams Closed Captioning with PowerPoint

• 1:1 in Teams: Teachers with Parents

• Ed Tech PD 0.5% Training for Oct 19 - Nov 21

• MCS Tech Status Page

• HDTDTL - Oct 21st for Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety Awareness Month Showcase for K-6 and 7-12

• Edpuzzle with Schoology

• Schoology Workload Planning

• MCS App Portal Backpack Feature for Teachers

• NetRef - Best Practices and Contest

• Kami Update - Stickers

9/15 Updates to Our Tools Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Edition

• Ed Tech PD for Sept 21 - Oct 15

• How Did They Do That Live: Distance Learning Best Practices

• Schoology Tips: Grade Sync with PTP, Where Your Posts Go, and How to See Student Re-submissions

• Introducing the All-New Flipgrid

• Loom Screencast

• OneNote Class Notebook

• OneNote Breakout Templates

8/17 Breaking News Call Center Help Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Edition

• Creating a consistent placement and labeling of the Class Video Meeting in your Schoology Course

• Sharing with your students the keyboard shortcut for their microphone to mute/unmute

• Practicing the Instructional Model of "I Do" modeling how to use the technology tools in your Course

• Developing Class Agreements with your students for your classroom management practice with Distance Learning

• Daily Student Device Shutdown to get Updates

8/3 Back to School NEW Ed Tech Tools Bits and Bytes eNewsletter Edition

• MCS App Portal - for Single Sign-On

• Parent and Student Access Letters

• Smart Start Ed Tech - Lesson Plans

• Microsoft Teams - video conferencing for Students and Teachers in Schoology

• Go School Messenger - Text Message Communication with Students and Parents

• NetRef - Replacement to LanSchool

• Schoology Setup for Back to School

• Internet Safety Tutorial & Agreement (ISTA)

• New Student & Parent Tech Help Center Website

• Chromebook Student Device - Training Resources

• Ed Tech Support and Training Resources