AOS92 Moving from FirstClass Email to GMail

Post date: Jun 03, 2014 12:43:31 PM

This summer AOS92 will be migrating off of FirstClass E-mail and changing over to Google Mail, commonly referred to as Gmail.

Listed below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for parents/guardians and students. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the building principal or AOS92 Director of Technology, Will Backman.

Why is AOS92 moving employees and students to Gmail and Google Apps?

After careful consideration, AOS92 has decided to migrate all faculty, staff, and student email accounts to Gmail. Gmail is part of Google Apps for Education, a common platform for all students, faculty, and staff to collaborate. Google Apps for Education offers a safe, functional, and inexpensive e-mail system for educational institutions all over the world. In fact, most of the surrounding school districts and colleges already use Gmail. This change will bring the latest technology for communication and collaboration to our schools, and let Google take care of the cost and effort of maintaining the infrastructure so we can focus on teaching and learning.

Which grades will be receiving Gmail accounts?

Each building decides which grades receive email accounts, and sets the policy for whether or not students are allowed to send or receive email from outside of the school system. Currently, only grades that already have school email will be given Gmail accounts.

Will existing student email in FirstClass be automatically moved to Gmail?

We do not intend to move any old student email messages over to Gmail.

Can parents receive a Google for Education Account?

Not at this time. You can create a personal Google account by visiting https://accounts.google.com/SignUp

What do we do if we lose or forget the password?

For security purposes, the Technology Department will only respond to password reset request sent by school staff through their official school Gmail account or by students physically visiting the Technology Department. Students may ask any of their teachers to email the Technology Department’s helpdesk for a password reset.

What about advertising and the privacy of our student data?

We know that security and privacy are important concerns for both parents/guardians and our school district. Google Apps for Education is a bit different from Google's traditional services, and Google contractually guarantees that they have no ownership rights to any data processed and stored by Google Apps for Education.

Here is a link to Google's Privacy Policy: https://www.google.com/edu/privacy.html

"No ads in Google Apps for Education services. Period"

"Like many email providers, we do scanning in Gmail to keep our customers secure and to improve their product experience. In Gmail for Google Apps for Education, this includes virus and spam protection, spell check, relevant search results and features like Priority Inbox and auto-detection of calendar events. Scanning to provide product features is done on all incoming emails and is 100% automated. We do NOT scan Google Apps for Education emails for advertising purposes."

"We comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)"

I have opted out of my student having access to Google Apps. Will my student still be able to do all the assigned work?

AOS92 is committed to providing equal educational access to all students. While Google Apps for Education provides students and teachers access to tools for communication, collaboration, and improves student engagement, teachers are encouraged to prepare Google Apps lessons with alternate plans for students whose parents have chosen to opt-out of this resource for their children or students with a disability that prevents the use of Google Apps.

Where can I find more information about Google Apps for Education?

Google's website with additional information is here: http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/education/