Category Archives: for Staff

Desktop replacements start Feb 17th

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On Feb 17th, we’ll start replacing desktop computers across the district.   We’ll be starting at Fairmeadows Elementary and will then work our way around the rest of the district.   A member of the tech department will be in touch with your school prior to the installation to work out the final details.

Q1. What’s the order of the schools?
A1.  Right now, the planned order is…

  1. Fairmeadows
  2. Jordan Creek
  3. Westridge
  4. Crossroads
  5. Western Hills
  6. Walnut Creek
  7. Hillside
  8. Stilwell
  9. Southwoods
  10. Crestview
  11. Clive
  12. Indian Hills
Valley High School will be during Spring Break March 13th-20th.  Desktops at the LRC and Operations will also be replaced, we haven’t determined where they will fit in the order just yet.
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Q2.  How long will it take at each school?
A2.  Most schools will be 2 or 3 days at the maximum.
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Q3. What’s happening with the existing computers – can we keep them?
A3.  No, you may not keep them – they become the property of the company that is providing the new machines.

Q4.  Will we be adding additional desktops to schools?
A3.  No,  this is a 1 to 1 replacement.  If you have a desktop computer in your space, we remove it and provide a new one.

Q5. As a staff member, will I be able to buy one of the old models?
A5. No,  the old computers become the property of the company providing the new ones.  Selling the existing computers to the company helps to reduce the cost of getting the new models.  Sorry, schools are not allowed to keep them and staff are not allowed to buy them.

Q6.  What do the new computers look like?

Current desktop (left) and the new desktop (right)

Q7.  Do the new computers come with Windows 10?
A7.  Yes, they come with Windows 10 and the latest version of Office, which is Office 2019

Q8. Will we get new keyboards and mice?
A8.  Yes

Q9. Will we get new monitors?
A9. No, we are not replacing monitors.

Q10. If the district is not replacing monitors – can I buy myself a larger monitor or change to a dual monitor setup?
A10.  Yes,  individuals can use department/school/curriculum dollars to purchase different monitor setups that are beyond the district standard.  For more details, please visit: https://sites.google.com/a/wdmcs.org/wdmcstechhub/systems/multiple-monitor-options

Q11. Will the installation take place before and after school?
A11.  No,  the installation will take place during school hours.   We’ll have a team of 3 to 5 technicians at the school who will be working during school hours.  For a typical classroom, it only takes a few minutes to remove the existing machine and replace it with the new model.

Q12. Any tips or suggestions to help me prepare for the desktops being replaced?
Q13.  What are the specs of the new desktop?
A13.
  • HP EliteDesk 705 G4 Base Model Small Form Factor PC
  • AMD PRO A8-9600 3.1 4C 65W
  • 16GB RAM (1x16GB) DDR4
  • 256GB SSD Drive

Ability to call/text from Infinite Campus is being turned off on July 1st.

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Starting on July 1st,  our staff will no longer be able to send phone calls or text messages to families & students through Infinite Campus.

Q1.  Did Campus lose this ability?
A1.  No, instead our school district is dropping this portion of the service and moving to a different service.

Q2.  So our schools will still be able to send out automated phone calls or text messages?
A2.  Yes!  Instead of using Campus, you’ll need to contact School Community Relations and they will work with you to use BlackBoard for sending out notifications.

Q3. What are some examples of who used the calling/texting options?
A3.  Some schools have used the calling/texting to send out automated attendance calls, reminders of events, etc.

Q4. Will we still be able to send out emails through Infinite Campus?
A4.  Yes, we still have the ability to send out emails turned on in Infinite Campus – however, it is likely that this feature will also be phased out over time, as we’ll eventually be using Blackboard for our communication needs.