Technology

Mr. Brad Shaffer, Network Administrator
Northship, LLC
bshaffer@ntsd.org

Mr. Aaron Viggiano, Network Administrator
Northship, LLC
aviggiano@ntsd.org


Technology is a powerful and ever-changing tool in today’s education system. The Technology Department at Neshannock Township School District is determined to evolve and deliver the most updated form of technology integration, security, and continuing education services. The technology department will diligently serve our Staff, Students, and Community in order to raise the effectiveness of technology integration and student achievement.

1:1 Chromebook Initiative

The one-to-one Chromebook initiative prepares students for success in a global, technology-rich learning and working environment. This program allows for the maximum flexibility between in-person and virtual learning. Students in grades K-12 will receive a District provided Chromebook (laptop) and accompanying charger for educational use. Students in Grades 1-12 will take their device between school and home each night. Devices for Kindergarten may be sent home in the event of full virtual learning. Safe keeping and appropriate use of the Chromebook are the responsibility of each student. Please review our Chromebook rules and general guidelines below.

NTSD Chromebook Rules and Guidelines

2023-2024 Technology Usage Agreement Form

Schoology

The Schoology learning management system is heavily integrated into the curriculum at Neshannock Jr/Sr High School and Neshannock Online Campus grades 7-12. This is an online platform for the digital distribution and completion of class materials, assignments, and assessments. Schoology allows students to engage with learning materials inside and outside of the classroom. To learn more about Schoology, view our Schoology student guide below.

Schoology Student Guide, 2023-2024

Google Classroom

The Google Classroom suite is heavily integrated into the curriculum at Neshannock Memorial Elementary School and Neshannock Online Campus grades K-6. Google Classroom allows teachers to communicate with their class, distribute materials, and create interactive assignments. Classroom ties together Google for Education products including Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, Google Meet, and more. Students can interact with their course work, track progress, and submit assignments all with a few simple clicks. 

SchoolMessenger

Neshannock Township School District utilizes a call and text communication system known as SchoolMessenger. Your contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, are obtained from student records. Communications (calls and text) will be sent to notify you of school closures, emergency information, and general announcements. If you do not yet receive text message notifications, and would like to Opt-In, please follow the steps in the document below. Additional District information and announcements will be posted to NTSD.org and the District Facebook page.

Opt-In for Text Message Alerts:  Click Here for Directions

GoGuardian

In order to improve the technology based learning environment for our students and staff, the Neshannock Township School District has implemented GoGuardian as a web filtering, internet safety, and Chromebook management system. The system provides constant web filtering on all Chromebooks to ensure appropriate browsing. Internet activity on school-issued devices and/or school accounts is filtered to protect students from accessing inappropriate or harmful content.  Further, the District’s GoGuardian Beacon utility uses artificial intelligence to detect keywords that signal the risk of self-harm, suicide, or possible harm to others. These alerts are confidentially sent to the school administrators for assessment.

During the school day (7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday), teachers are able to begin an active class session which allows them to interact with the Chromebooks of students in their class session. Whether your student is an in-person or Online Campus learner, their teacher can open and close web pages, block specific websites, view web activity, and monitor the screen any Chromebook used by the student’s NTSD account during the class session.

Users logged into NTSD accounts on non-Chromebook devices outside of the campus network are not subject to internet filtering or activity monitoring. We encourage you to discuss safe internet usage and household technology rules with your student when they are accessing the internet outside of the scope of NTSD protective measures.

Though monitoring and content filtering may not be active outside of school hours or devices, please be aware that any use of an NTSD-issued account to interact with any application (ex: Gmail, Google Classroom, Schoology) is logged at all times regardless of the device or network being used.

GoGuardian Usage at Neshannock Township School District

Tech Tips

More helpful documents and guides coming soon!

Policies and Forms

Policy 224: Care of School Property

Policy 815: Internet, Computers and Network Resources