Tech Resources

Seesaw is a digital tool where students can show learning, teachers gain insights, and parents connect.  Students explore a variety of powerful and intuitive multimodal tools (like draw+record, collage, video, and more!) to show what they know in the way that works best for them. 

Parents are invited to follow along on their child's learning journey. Watch for an invite from you teacher in the fall.  Didn't see one? Just reach out to child's teacher to follow along. Once you sign up once, you'll use the same account throughout your child's time in elementary school. Read below to learn more about what Seesaw is and how you can follow along. 

Learn more about Seesaw and find information about their mobile app at https://web.seesaw.me/parents or watch our favorite parent videos below.
 

Click here to login to Seesaw

Are you looking for additional resources to support your student learning at home? We've got some great resources to get you started.  

Math

Keep practicing Math with our adaptive math tool, Dreambox.  Dreambox is a program that is constantly adapting based on your student's understanding of Math.  To get started, Click the App with the big blue C for Clever, then click on Dreambox.  Dreambox will start students at the screen titled "My Lessons" where they can pick from any lesson which adapts based on their needs.  Need help while in Dreambox? Click the orange "?" in the top right for additional help. Also, Dreambox offers great tips for families and even a parent account if you'd like even more specific data on your student's performance. See below for a quick overview video. Cómo activar los subtítulos de los vídeos de YouTube

Reading

RAZ Kids (Reading A to Z) is an app full of ebooks geared towards our earlier readers in grades K-2. RAZ Kids gives students access to books and all the tools they need to read, listen, and learn. To login to RAZ, click on the big blue C for Clever, then click on RAZ Kids. Students are then greeted with their Reading Room library. To get started, they can click on a book and then choose to Listen or Read any of their books. See below for a quick overview video. Cómo activar los subtítulos de los vídeos de YouTube

Research

Pebble Go is a student friendly research tool.  It is an easily accessible, kid-friendly database for the littlest researchers. When clicking into the app, you'll see Pebble Go for Grades K-3, and Pebble Go Next for Grades 3-6. Both databases have topics available for students to learn more about, complete with videos, activities, readable text, games, vocabulary with kid friendly language and more. See below for a quick overview video. Cómo activar los subtítulos de los vídeos de YouTube

Kids and teens are using the immense power of the internet and mobile technologies to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined. But with this power come ethical dilemmas and challenging issues, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, privacy violations, digital distraction, and more, which are surfacing both in schools and at home.  This is why we are intentionally implementing digital citizenship curriculum district-wide that provides developmentally appropriate lessons for students each year. Digital Citizenship can be defined as the responsible use of technology to learn, create, and participate . To learn more about our Digital Citizenship Curriculum, see here.  The remainder of this page is dedicated to empowered parents and guardians with tools that can help foster conversations, set boundaries, and use technical tools to help keep students safe online.

To support your child online, we recommend parents/ guardians: 

• Have conversations about the healthy use of technology - What sites are you visiting and for how long?

• Have a secured network at home (tools found below)

• Keep devices out of the bedroom, especially overnight

• Use digital tools like Infinite Campus and Canvas/Seesaw to support schoolwork

• Check-in unannounced. You are in charge.
• Find more parent topics and conversation ideas at commonsensemedia.org/articles

Top Tool Recommendations for Parents/Guardians:

• Know how to Check Safari Browsing History on the iPad
• Reach out to the school (tech pro contact info at bottom of page) to set up Restrictions through Screen Time -  This tool allow parents to see into usage, set device bedtimes, and more on the school iPad.  To set up Screen Time, please reach out to your building administrator or tech pro, who's info is below.  This is a team effort since Screen Time could impact learning in the classroom if set up improperly.
• Secure home wifi with  Bark Home - A plug and play device that connects to your home internet, provides an internet filter and the ability to set device bedtimes.  It is a one time fee of $79, no ongoing subscription required

What is Infinite Campus? Infinite Campus is a district-wide student information system designed to manage attendance, grades, schedules, test scores, and other information about the students in School District 197.

What is the Infinite Campus Parent Portal? The Parent Portal is a confidential and secure Web site where you can get current information about your child's school attendance, grades, transcript and immunizations. We encourage all parents and guardians to get a Campus Parent Portal Account

Need an Infinite Campus account?* Parents and guardians who need an account should email empowered@isd197.org or call 651-403-7005 during school hours. You will need to provide your name, email address, postal address, student's name, school and grade. This information is used for verification purposes. Once this information is verified, you will be sent your login information in 24 to 48 hours.

Once you have created your account you will be able to access Campus Portal from a browser or the mobile app on a smartphone or tablet. When you first open the Campus Parent Portal mobile app, in the field for District Name, type the word West and select Minnesota as the state. After you click Search District, select West St. Paul. You will then be prompted for your username and password on the next screen.

Already have an account? Login to the Campus Parent Portal here.

Click here for detailed Parent Portal Instructions in English
Click here for detailed Parent Portal Instructions in Spanish

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month off their internet bills (or up to $75 per month for households living on Tribal lands), as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 off an eligible connected device like a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. In many cases, households can get high-speed internet without paying a dime by choosing a fully covered internet plan. 

This announcement serves as a reminder that a household is eligible to participate in the ACP if a child in the household receives free or reduced-price school meals. Therefore, under the ACP rules, every household with a child attending a school participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program is eligible for ACP benefits.

Households can learn more and apply for the ACP at GetInternet.gov. 

While this reminder is specific to schools that are participating in CEP, additional information about eligibility for CEP discount benefits can be found in the School Outreach Toolkit PDF (English) and School Outreach Toolkit PDF (Spanish). The toolkit provides information about ways households can qualify for the ACP, including through an individual student’s participation in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program providing free or reduced-price meals; through a household member’s participation in a wide range of other federal assistance programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and many others; or based on the household’s income (up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level).

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) used by teachers across School District 197 in grades 5-12. Through Canvas, teachers can create one online location for students to access course work, online textbooks, submit assignments, view the class calendar, participate in discussions, collaborate with classmates, find ways to explore a class topic further and more. Parents and guardians can even access Canvas to view information about the class.

We encourage you to use the Canvas Parent app to engage in your child's education. Instructions have been provided below for setting up a Canvas Parent account and using the app on your smartphone or tablet.

Instruction Flyer for Canvas Parent: English | Spanish

If you do not have a smartphone or tablet, Canvas can be accessed on a desktop or laptop using an Observer Account. Instructions and the login link have been provided below.

Instruction Flyer for Canvas Parent for desktop/laptop: English | Spanish
Log in to a Canvas Observer Account: Parents/Guardians

Please contact your child’s school or teacher if you have any questions about Canvas. Parents may also contact Kara Metz, the district's MTSS & Personalized Learning Coordinator, at 651-403-7023 or Kara.Metz@isd197.org.

What is Infinite Campus? Today, most K-12 school districts use some sort of database system for managing student information and maintaining their records. Infinite Campus is a district-wide student information system designed to manage attendance, grades, schedules, test scores, and other information about the students in School District 197.

What is the Infinite Campus Parent Portal? The Parent Portal is a confidential and secure Web site where you can get current information about your child's school attendance, grades, transcript and immunizations. We encourage all parents and guardians to get a Campus Parent Portal Account

Need an Infinite Campus account?* Parents and guardians who need an account should email empowered@isd197.org or call 651-403-7005 during school hours. You will need to provide your name, email address, postal address, student's name, school and grade. This information is used for verification purposes. Once this information is verified, you will be sent your login information in 48 to 72 hours.

Once you have created your account you will be able to access Campus Portal from a browser or the mobile app on a smartphone or tablet. When you first open the Campus Parent Portal mobile app, in the field for District Name, type the word West and select Minnesota as the state. After you click Search District, select West St. Paul. You will then be prompted for your username and password on the next screen.

Already have an account? Login to the Campus Parent Portal here.

What's the difference between Canvas and Infinite Campus? Do I need both?
Infinite Campus is our Student Information System (SIS). This is where official records are held - attendance, final grades, transcripts, health records, etc. Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS). An LMS is where students and their teacher participate in online learning. They use Canvas to share links, videos, have discussions, submit electronic assignments, etc. Canvas will show you the online learning process, what's coming up, and what work has  been submitted. Infinite Campus will show you scores of completed work - both digital and non digital. While we do encourage supporting your child in both Canvas and Campus, we recommend having Infinite Campus at a minimum. We also recommend having your child give you a tour of their classes in Canvas, which may look something like this on iPad or Laptop.

Kids and teens are using the immense power of the internet and mobile technologies to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined. But with this power come ethical dilemmas and challenging issues, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, privacy violations, digital distraction, and more, which are surfacing both in schools and at home.  This is why we are intentionally implementing digital citizenship curriculum district-wide that provides developmentally appropriate lessons for students each year. Digital Citizenship can be defined as the responsible use of technology to learn, create, and participate .To learn more about our Digital Citizenship Curriculum, see here.  The remainder of this page is dedicated to empowered parents and guardians with tools that can help foster conversations, set boundaries, and use technical tools to help keep students safe online.

To support your child online, we recommend parents/ guardians: 

• Have conversations about the healthy use of technology - What sites are you visiting and for how long?

• Have a secured network at home (tools found below)

• Keep devices out of the bedroom, especially overnight

• Use digital tools like Infinite Campus and Canvas/SeeSaw to support schoolwork

• Check-in unannounced. You are in charge.
• Find more parent topics and conversation ideas at commonsensemedia.org/articles

Device monitoring for all types of devices

• School iPad - Check Safari Browsing History - students cannot clear their history.

• School iPad - Restrictions through Screen Time -  This tool allow parents to see into usage, set device bedtimes, and more on the school iPad.  To set up Screen Time, please reach out to your building administrator or tech pro, who's info is below.  This is a team effort since Screen Time could impact learning in the classroom if set up improperly.

• iPhones and non-district iPads: Apple Family Sharing sets rules for app purchases, share subscriptions, set limits and more. 

• Android: Devices Parental Controls- Google Family Link and Review and Google’s Digital Wellbeing

• iPhone and Android Phones:  Life 360 - a comprehensive app for smartphones that offers device filtering, gps location history, location based alerts, driving safety features and more. Though there are paid options, the free tier provide all features listed. 

• Verizon Gizmodo - a watch with GPS tracking and a parent-approved call list

• Also Verizon Smart Family - device monitoring and filtering tools for $10 per month.

Internet Filtering on your home internet - Filter all devices that connect to your wifi

• Open DNS (basic free) - free software that is installed on your home router. Depending on your comfort with technology, this can take work to set up.
•  Bark Home - A plug and play device that connects to your home internet, provides an internet filter and the ability to set device bedtimes.  It is a one time fee of $79, no ongoing subscription required.

Additional Tools to know about:

• Google Safe Search & YouTube’s Safety Filter, YouTubeKids app and Common Sense Review

• Microsoft and XBox Parental Controls - set parent controls/filters for all devices or just Xbox

• Amazon Kindle - Set goals, time limits, and filters.

• Nintendo Parental Controls - set filters for ratings and live gaming

• Netflix Parental Controls - set maturity filters, block specific titles, viewing history

• Cable TV: Comcast and MediaCom - 

• Spotify (can block explicit lyrics), Pandora, Apple Music

School District 197 uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world. We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted below  and include an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year. Please email studentdata@isd197.org for additional questions regarding specific digital tools used in classrooms.  

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month off their internet bills (or up to $75 per month for households living on Tribal lands), as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 off an eligible connected device like a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. In many cases, households can get high-speed internet without paying a dime by choosing a fully covered internet plan. 

This announcement serves as a reminder that a household is eligible to participate in the ACP if a child in the household receives free or reduced-price school meals. Therefore, under the ACP rules, every household with a child attending a school participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program is eligible for ACP benefits.

Households can learn more and apply for the ACP at GetInternet.gov. 

While this reminder is specific to schools that are participating in CEP, additional information about eligibility for CEP discount benefits can be found in the School Outreach Toolkit PDF (English) and School Outreach Toolkit PDF (Spanish). The toolkit provides information about ways households can qualify for the ACP, including through an individual student’s participation in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program providing free or reduced-price meals; through a household member’s participation in a wide range of other federal assistance programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and many others; or based on the household’s income (up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level).

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) used by teachers across School District 197 in grades 5-12. Through Canvas, teachers can create one online location for students to access course work, online textbooks, submit assignments, view the class calendar, participate in discussions, collaborate with classmates, find ways to explore a class topic further and more. Parents and guardians can even access Canvas to view information about the class.

We encourage you to use the Canvas Parent app to engage in your child's education. Instructions have been provided below for setting up a Canvas Parent account and using the app on your smartphone or tablet.

Instruction Flyer for Canvas Parent: English | Spanish

If you do not have a smartphone or tablet, Canvas can be accessed on a desktop or laptop using an Observer Account. Instructions and the login link have been provided below.

Instruction Flyer for Canvas Parent for desktop/laptop: English | Spanish
Log in to a Canvas Observer Account: Parents/Guardians

Please contact your child’s school or teacher if you have any questions about Canvas. Parents may also contact Kara Metz, the district's MTSS & Personalized Learning Coordinator, at 651-403-7023 or Kara.Metz@isd197.org.

What's the difference between Canvas and Infinite Campus? Do I need both?
Infinite Campus is our Student Information System (SIS). This is where official records are held - attendance, final grades, transcripts, health records, etc. Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS). An LMS is where students and their teacher participate in online learning. They use Canvas to share links, videos, have discussions, submit electronic assignments, etc. Canvas will show you the online learning process, what's coming up, and what work has  been submitted. Infinite Campus will show you scores of completed work - both digital and non digital. While we do encourage supporting your child in both Canvas and Campus, we recommend having Infinite Campus at a minimum. We also recommend having your child give you a tour of their classes in Canvas, which may look something like this on iPad or Laptop.

Need an Infinite Campus account?* Parents and guardians who need an account should email empowered@isd197.org or call 651-403-7005 during school hours. You will need to provide your name, email address, postal address, student's name, school and grade. This information is used for verification purposes. Once this information is verified, you will be sent your login information in 48 to 72 hours.

Once you have created your account you will be able to access Campus Portal from a browser or the mobile app on a smartphone or tablet. When you first open the Campus Parent Portal mobile app, in the field for District Name, type the word West and select Minnesota as the state. After you click Search District, select West St. Paul. You will then be prompted for your username and password on the next screen.

Already have an account? Login to the Campus Parent Portal here.

Kids and teens are using the immense power of the internet and mobile technologies to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined. But with this power come ethical dilemmas and challenging issues, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, privacy violations, digital distraction, and more, which are surfacing both in schools and at home.  This is why we are intentionally implementing digital citizenship curriculum district-wide that provides developmentally appropriate lessons for students each year. Digital Citizenship can be defined as the responsible use of technology to learn, create, and participate .To learn more about our Digital Citizenship Curriculum, see here.  The remainder of this page is dedicated to empowered parents and guardians with tools that can help foster conversations, set boundaries, and use technical tools to help keep students safe online.

To support your child online, we recommend parents/ guardians: 

• Have conversations about the healthy use of technology - What sites are you visiting and for how long?

• Have a secured network at home (tools found below)

• Keep devices out of the bedroom, especially overnight

• Use digital tools like Infinite Campus and Canvas/SeeSaw to support schoolwork

• Check-in unannounced. You are in charge.
• Find more parent topics and conversation ideas at commonsensemedia.org/articles

Device monitoring for all types of devices

• iPhones and iPads: Apple Family Sharing sets rules for app purchases, share subscriptions, set limits and more. 

• Android: Devices Parental Controls- Google Family Link and Review and Google’s Digital Wellbeing

• iPhone and Android Phones:  Life 360 - a comprehensive app for smartphones that offers device filtering, gps location history, location based alerts, driving safety features and more. Though there are paid options, the free tier provide all features listed. 

• Verizon Gizmodo - a watch with GPS tracking and a parent-approved call list

• Also Verizon Smart Family - device monitoring and filtering tools for $10 per month.

Internet Filtering on your home internet - Filter all devices that connect to your wifi

• Open DNS (basic free) - free software that is installed on your home router. Depending on your comfort with technology, this can take work to set up.
•  Bark Home - A plug and play device that connects to your home internet, provides an internet filter and the ability to set device bedtimes.  It is a one time fee of $79, no ongoing subscription required.

Additional Tools to know about:

• Google Safe Search & YouTube’s Safety Filter, YouTubeKids app and Common Sense Review

• Microsoft and XBox Parental Controls - set parent controls/filters for all devices or just Xbox

• Amazon Kindle - Set goals, time limits, and filters.

• Nintendo Parental Controls - set filters for ratings and live gaming

• Netflix Parental Controls - set maturity filters, block specific titles, viewing history

• Cable TV: Comcast and MediaCom - 

• Spotify (can block explicit lyrics), Pandora, Apple Music

Chromebooks:

Printers are pushed out from Chrome Management; there is no installation needed. The printers will be available under the Print menu.  To print, click on File -> Print and select the printer you want to print to.

MacBooks and Windows Computers:

If you are using a MacBook or windows computer please contact the TRHS Tech Pro in A221 for directions on how to install printers on your device.

School District 197 uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world. We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted below  and include an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year. Please email studentdata@isd197.org for additional questions regarding specific digital tools used in classrooms.  

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month off their internet bills (or up to $75 per month for households living on Tribal lands), as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 off an eligible connected device like a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. In many cases, households can get high-speed internet without paying a dime by choosing a fully covered internet plan. 

This announcement serves as a reminder that a household is eligible to participate in the ACP if a child in the household receives free or reduced-price school meals. Therefore, under the ACP rules, every household with a child attending a school participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program is eligible for ACP benefits.

Households can learn more and apply for the ACP at GetInternet.gov. 

While this reminder is specific to schools that are participating in CEP, additional information about eligibility for CEP discount benefits can be found in the School Outreach Toolkit PDF (English) and School Outreach Toolkit PDF (Spanish). The toolkit provides information about ways households can qualify for the ACP, including through an individual student’s participation in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program providing free or reduced-price meals; through a household member’s participation in a wide range of other federal assistance programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and many others; or based on the household’s income (up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level).