1. Parents’ Cyber Night I: Preparing the children of the future
Presentation developed by:
Deanna Doyon, 8th Grade Mathematics Teacher, CRMS
Wednesday, November 30th, 2016
Orchard Valley Middle School IMC
6pm to 8pm

2. Tonight’s topics STAR Parent Report Overview
How to Access and Manipulate Digits
Alternative Online Mathematics Resources
Blackboard and Student

3. STAR Parent Report Given 3 times per year District-wide test
The scores compare students nationally
The test is Common Core aligned
Scaled score is out of 1400
PR – Percentile Ranking (we would like to see this score be >40)
We use this information to drive our instruction

4. How to access and Manipulate Digits
Digits – the online program that drives 6th, 7th, 7th Advanced, and 8th grade instruction
This year, students have to log onto Digits by using their personal, student Powerschool accounts. These are different than the parent/guardian accounts.
Username: first initial, last name (same as school laptop login)  asmith
Password: Lunch Pin  12345
After logging into their Powerschool Accounts, there will be a link for them to access Digits.

5. Digits – Not Just a Place for Homework!
In addition to being an avenue to administer assessments and homework, Digits holds all of the content students learn in class each day.
If the students select “Programs” from their home screen on Digits, they can access all presentations from in-class lessons. This is their virtual textbook.

6. Digits Homework Help
Often, students understand concepts in class, but may experience challenges while doing homework independently.
In addition to using notes and the online presentations as resources, students – and parents – can use a tool on the homework program to help them learn the processes of each problem.
Under “Question Help”, click “View an Example”. This option will walk you and your child through a problem step by step that is similar to the question at hand.

7. Alternative Online Mathematical Resources
Khan Academy
Math Antics
Math Playground

8. Blackboard What is it? What does it look like?
Blackboard is an online platform that allows students to see important information about all of their classes all in one place.
What does it look like?
Let’s see here!
How can it be helpful for my child?
Teachers can post important resources on this platform such as informational videos, homework assignments, links to helpful websites, and more.
Encourage your child to log onto Blackboard to see what it’s all about if they haven’t done so already!

9. Student
Every student at the middle level has been assigned a WTPS and Office 365 account.
What is Office 365? Let’s look here!
Student login: first initial, last
Student Password: lunch pin
Example: Username / Password 12345

10. The Benefits of Office 365
Allows students to communicate individually with teachers and fellow students
Allows students to collaborate on school activities and projects
Gives every student a free license for Office products (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
Teachers can also send out group s and share resources with students easily through this program
Students can access their and materials from any location that has internet – no more saving to flash drives!!

11. Any questions?
Thank you for attending! Please feel free to me with questions at