Technical Support for Parents
Parent/Guardian Platforms
PowerSchool
SPS provides PowerSchool access to parents/guardians of students in grades 6-12. PowerSchool is the source of information regarding attendance and grades. Parents may request information to set up an account by contacting the school's main office.
Parent/Guardian Communication
SPS uses ParentSquare to facilitate communication between school and home. All parents/guardian accounts are automatically created upon the first day of your child's attendance in one of our schools. Copies of ParentSquare communications are sent via email by default. You may activate your ParentSquare account to manage notification settings at any time by clicking on the link in any email you receive from ParentSquare.
SPS encourages the use of ParentSquare, rather than email, for all communication with school staff. This platform provides secure delivery and avoids the issues with SPAM filters in many common email platforms.
ParentSquare
Parents/Guardians
Your Student's Digital Classwork
Grades K-5 use Google Classroom. You may be invited as a parent/guardian to your child's Google Classroom, but that is at the discretion of the classroom teacher. It is SPS practice to limit screen time in the elementary grades as appropriate for the student's developmental age.
Grades 6-12 use Canvas. Any parent/guardian may sign up for an "Observer" account by following the Parent Guide for Setting Up Canvas Account instructions. While many assignments and grades are given in Canvas, it is important to remember that PowerSchool is the primary source for final grades. Some assignments/grades may be offline and therefore not included in the Canvas gradebook.
Student Platforms
SPS uses ClassLink to manage rostering and access. All students should be using ClassLink to login! The username does not include @s.southingtonschools.org.
Format for Student Logins
The format for the student's username is firstname.lastname@s.southingtonschools.org (up to 9 characters for each name)
For example: John Smith: john.smith@s.southingtonschools.org or Alexandria Brownstone: alexandri.brownston@s.southingtonschools.org
Student Help Tickets
Technology assistance is available for student SPS Accounts and/or SPS issued devices. Student support issues should be reported to the student's teacher or school staff. A support ticket with the request type of "Student Tech Support" can be entered if needed.
Student Technology Use Guidelines and Insurance Program
Parents and Students: Review the SPS Student Use Guidelines and Insurance Program for student care expectations, potential costs of repair, and details on the Chromebook Insurance Program. This document is sent annually, in September, to all parents.
Southington Public Schools has policies regarding the care and use of technology by students. For more information, see the following links.
6141.9 - Responsible Use of Technology for Students
6162 - Care of Instructional Materials
Southington Public Schools offers families a Chromebook Insurance Program to assist with the costs of accidental damage. Everyone believes accidental damage to Chromebooks won't happen to them! Pictured are some real examples of Chromebooks turned into our technicians. Consider enrolling your student in this program. Open enrollment period begins on the first day of school and closes September 30th. Families may still opt into the program after September 30th, but an audit of the Chromebook is completed prior to coverage. Any damage found during the audit will not be covered.
Student Data Privacy at SPS
Southington Public Schools is committed to protecting the privacy of its community and utilizing technology that gives students an engaging and safe educational experience. Southington Public Schools complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as well as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Southington Public Schools collects and uses data from our students and teachers to inform instructional practice and improve the learning experience. In some cases, this data is not stored on our local servers. In all cases where data may be stored or accessible outside the district, that vendor must comply with FERPA regulations. Many of our vendors have already taken the Student Privacy Pledge.
Effective October 1, 2016, all new contracts must also comply with CT State law, CT PA16-189. This page will serve as an informational gateway for the Southington Public Schools compliance with PA16-189.
Current list of district approved subscriptions and applications.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. To deliver maximum cost savings to families, the Biden-Harris Administration has secured commitments from 20 leading internet providers to offer ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month.
Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology
Visit the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology for more information on how the State of Connecticut is supporting technology in K-12 schools.