District introduces Parent Portal
Parents of
Schuylerville students in grades 4-12 now have the ability to access
school-related information about their children through a web-based
application called Parent Portal. Parent Portal is an extension of the
district’s current student database system,
SchoolTool.
The information that is accessible through Parent Portal includes
schedules, grades, progress reports, report cards, attendance records
and, in some cases, class assignments. Parents can also e-mail teachers
directly from Parent Portal pages if they have questions or comments.
“This is just one more way we’re increasing opportunities for
parent-school communications,” said Computer Services Director Eric
Blakely. “It also provides some conversation-starters for parents and
their children.”
Schuylerville’s Parent Portal system has been in the testing/pilot
stages for several months. Selected Elementary School parents and all
parents of seventh-graders had access to the system, providing valuable
feedback and insights. “We were able to make a few small improvements
thanks to the parents who piloted the program. Other than those minor
tweaks, everything ran very well,” Blakely said. “I’m anticipating a
smooth introduction when we officially open up the portal on February
14.”
The district has already mailed informational letters to parents of
students in grades 4-12 so they can sign up for a Parent Portal account.
Click
here for a copy of the letter or
here for a tutorial [PDF files].
Below are some frequently asked Parent Portal questions (and their
answers!). If you have any other questions, please send an e-mail
message to:
parentportal@schuylerville.org.
What is Parent Portal?
Parent Portal is a web-based system that allows parents or guardians of
students in grades 4-12 to access information about their children’s
school progress, find out about assignments, track attendance records
and contact teachers. It is an extension of
SchoolTool, which is the district’s current student data management
system.
What information can be viewed?
Demographic information, attendance records, grades, quarterly reports
and report cards. If teachers post assignments or syllabus materials,
parents can also see that information.
Why is Parent Portal available only for grades
4-12?
The curriculum and grading systems for students in grades K-3 lend
themselves better to a system which teachers are having direct and
consistent daily communication exchanges with parents using notes,
backpack newsletters, phone calls and e-mails.
How do I log in to the new Parent Portal?
First, you’ll need a valid e-mail address and then you can request
access to the Parent Portal section of
SchoolTool. Click
here to see the letter sent home to parents, which includes
instructions for signing up [PDF]. If
you’ve already set up an account, please click
here to view a tutorial [PDF].
Remember, Parent Portal will be available beginning Monday, February 14,
2011.
What if I encounter problems using Parent
Portal?
Please send an e-mail describing the issue to:
parentportal@schuylerville.org. The district’s Computer Services
Department staff will assist you.
What Internet browser does Parent Portal work
best in?
Parent Portal is designed to work in all browsers, though tends to
perform slightly better in Internet Explorer 6 or greater.
What equipment or software is needed to use
Parent Portal?
You’ll need to use a computer that has access to the Internet. For some
documents, you may also need Adobe Reader, which is a free document
reader available for download on the Internet at
http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
Can students get a Parent Portal account?
No, but they can view the information with their parents/guardians.
How do you handle lost or forgotten passwords?
You can reset your password on the
SchoolTool/Parent Portal homepage or have a forgotten password
e-mailed to you.
What can I do if I see that my child has
received a low grade on an assignment?
Talk to your child about the assignment. You can also contact the
teacher about the work and come up with strategies for helping your
child get back on track.
What if I see an incorrect grade when viewing
Parent Portal information?
You can e-mail your child’s teacher or call the Student Services Center
at (518) 695-3255, ext. 2239.
Who can I speak with about my children’s
attendance record?
You can call the Elementary School attendance office at (518) 695-3255,
ext. 1225 or the Jr.-Sr. High School attendance office at (518)
695-3255, ext. 2233.
What if I need to update personal information
(phone numbers, address, etc.)?
Please call the building your child attends. The phone number for the
Elementary School main office is (518) 695-3255, ext. 1224; the number
for the Jr.-Sr. High School main office is (518) 695-3255, ext. 2232.
