Technology department

Dear Families,

The Technology Department at Taos Municipal Schools is committed to supporting school communication with families! The school district has significantly invested to make technology accessible to all students by providing MacBooks and iPads for our students at all grade levels. Our strategic plan has allowed us to meet a 1:1 device ratio at the 1st - 12th grade. We want families to know the systems we use to communicate and give you some tips to stay in the know. You will be receiving a letter from your student’s school with information about student logons and how to create parent accounts at the start of the year.

OFFICE 365

Students in grades 3rd-12th, use Microsoft Office365 to enable teachers and students to work together collaboratively and securely in the cloud. This supports students with greater information and file access while strengthening 21st Century Learning opportunities.

SCHOOL MESSENGER

School Messenger, an important service, is the way that we communicate urgent messages and special events directly with you (K-12). School Messenger sends alerts to your home phone, cell phone, or via text message and you may choose the delivery option that works best for your family. Please contact the main office at your child’s school to make sure that we have your current cell phone number, email, and emergency contact information for your child.

POWERSCHOOL

As parents of students in 6th-12th, you can use PowerSchool to monitor grades and absences. First time users can log on at http://ps.taosschools.org/ public/ and then download the App, PowerSchool Mobile, from your preferred App Store. If you set up the Mobile App to allow notifications, PowerSchool will notify you when your student misses a class. If you have questions about grades in PowerSchool, don’t wait, contact your student’s teachers directly.

CANVAS

Students, in grades 9th–12th access Canvas, the TMS learning management system, for blended learning activities developed by their high school teachers. Canvas extends the boundaries of the classroom, allowing students to take their class discussion, resources and assignments with them wherever they go. Parents can access Canvas too, and information will be provided in August to create parent accounts.

SOCIAL MEDIA

We use social media venues Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to communicate up-todate information, announce events, and share in celebrations. Like and Follow your child’s school’s Facebook page from the Facebook link on their School page of taosschools.org. By using the official names of the Taos Schools Facebook Pages below, you’ll be able to connect to your student’s school’s page.

Taos Schools Official Facebook Pages

Taos Municipal Schools - Arroyos del Norte Elementary - Enos Garcia Elementary - Ranchos Elementary - Taos Middle School - Taos High School - Taos Tiger Athletics

WEBSITE: TAOSSCHOOLS.ORG

Our mobile-friendly website has useful information for prospective, new and returning students and families. Taosschools.org showcases the good work of students and staff and highlights stories and news from each school. Our website offers many resources: our district calendar, school board policies, and board meeting information, school breakfast and lunch menus, community links and resources, useful documents and forms, along with general contact information, and links to the systems we use to communicate. Each school has a page which is regularly updated with links to lunch menus, general forms, supply lists, contact lists, and an events calendar that you can sync to your own calendar. If you have a suggestion or request for improving taosschools.org, please submit to websuggest@taosschools.org