The Digital Educator 3 | Page 7

It can be frustrating when your copier stops working. Just like the car you drive each day, copy machines require regular maintenance. Here are some simple steps to ensure your copier stays in top running condition.

Don’t take out the toner bottle until you are ready to put a new bottle in.

Contrary to popular belief, shaking a half-full toner bottle doesn’t improve print quality. The amount of toner is actually calculated by the copier, and taking the bottle out prematurely will throw off the counter. If the copier tries to pull toner from an empty bottle long enough, it can damage the copier.

Lines or splotches on your copies?

First, check the glass on the copier. Under the lid, there is a l-inch wide strip of glass on the left. More often than not, lines are caused by debris in this area. Wipe it down with a damp cloth or paper towel. If that doesn’t clear up the copies, then open the front of the copier and find the blue handle near the xerographic module. Pump the handle 10 to 15 times, and try making another copy.

We Provide Training!

Xerox staff are always happy to come and train you how to use the copier, as well as how to clear a jam properly. Setting aside an hour to learn how to properly use the copier can save yourself (and your colleagues) a lot of time. Give the Xerox Help Desk a call at 716-816-3512 and we are happy to answer your questions or to set up a training session!

Helpful Hints for Xerox Copiers

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Not able to send textbooks home with students?

Perplexed by the number of webpages students must navigate to for access to digital resources? In collaboration with subject area directors and supervisors, the BPS Information Technology Department has created a website repository of all e-Resources available to students in the Buffalo City School District. Included in this is not only access to electronic versions of student textbooks, but also all available library databases, encyclopedias, eBooks, and open source textbooks aligned to the Common Core Learning Standards. New content is constantly being added so be sure to check back often.

More information is available online in BPS's

e-Resources Center.

Access Student Information Anytime, Anywhere

Parent involvement can have a tremendous effect on the academic achievement of students. Furthermore, we now have the ability to utilize powerful new technologies that can greatly improve the school-to-home relationship by providing easy, efficient, and effective methods of transferring student information. This technology has given parents and teachers the opportunity to explore new ways of communicating with each other. Parents can now know what is going on in the classroom and can more effectively support their children in learning and achieving in all aspects of their education.

The District continues to support its mission by implementing a state-of-the-art online Campus Portal, (powered by the Infinite Campus Student Information System) to increase parent and student access to academic information in real-time. The Campus Portal is an online tool that allows parents and students the ability to view student information such as attendance, grades, schedules, teacher comments and upcoming events and announcements. It is accessible online and also available as a mobile app in the Apple and Android App stores.

Since the implementation in 2012, the number of Campus Portal system users has increased 119%. Currently, there are approximately 5000 parents who have portal accounts. Additionally, a new system feature called “Backpack” was implemented. Backpack allows parents to access their children’s report cards online sooner than the time it would take to mail home. Parents can also view and download this information anytime, anywhere via mobile device, tablet, desktop or laptop computer.

After a successful launch of the Parent Portal, BPS moved forward during the 2013-2014 school year with the launch of the Student Portal. This allows not just parents, but students to view academic information online. This has the potential to allow parents and students the opportunity to communicate with each other and their school about their academic information on a more frequent basis and make better-informed decisions.

Recent parent feedback indicates that parents want more access to student information. In order to utilize the full functionality of the Campus Portal system and meet the needs of parents, the District is moving to expand teacher usage of the Infinite Campus electronic gradebook, the official gradebook of BPS. Increasing the usage of the Infinite Campus electronic gradebook in schools will allow parents and students the ability to access more academic information such as assignments and grades in real-time.

Additionally, at the high school level, parent feedback indicates that they want access to information which shows their child’s progress in high school. The District is currently developing a high school credit review report customized to each high school student. This report will provide parents with up to date information on credits earned and and credits needed to meet graduation requirements. Providing this information to parents early on will allow them to make informed data-driven decisions and help to ensure that students graduate on time.

For more information on how to get access to the Campus Portal, contact your child's school.

For technical support email: [email protected]

Additional Help Guides and Tutorials can be found on the BPS Infinite Campus Webpage.