Technology

Students & Technology

Make the most of the technology provided by the school district.

Students can enhance their learning experience by using technology wisely and collaborating effectively with teachers and parents.
Students can access interactive learning materials and collaborate on projects with peers by exploring online platforms and educational software.
Regular communication with teachers enables students to seek clarification when needed, provide updates on their progress, and receive personalized feedback.

With these strategies, students can unlock a world of educational opportunities, thrive academically, and develop essential skills for success in the digital era.

Student Acceptable Use of Electronic ResourcesAdministrative Policy INS-A004

Notification of Rights under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

Chromebooks

Getting Started With Your Chromebook

Power on the Chromebook.
- The Acer Spin 511 has the power button located on the left side of the Chromebook. Hold the button for 3-5 seconds to power it on.
- If this is the first time you have powered on your Chromebook, you will need to connect it to its charger before powering it on..
  - There are USB-C charging ports on both the left and right side of the device. Either port can be used to charge the battery.
Click Get Started and select your Wi-Fi connection.
- Chromebooks require an internet connection. This can be a home, business, or school Wi-Fi network.
- If you get an error or "Connection Isn't Private" message, please wait one minute as the device's time and date updates.
- A Terms and Conditions screen will appear. Select Next to continue.
Your Chromebook will automatically begin a 5-30 minute update process.
- Future updates will be done in the background.
- The Chromebook should reboot once the updates are completed.
- After rebooting, click through the same screens you did before.
Next you will get an enterprise enrollment screen
When completed, you should get a confirmation screen followed by the Salem-Keizer Public Schools login screen.

Do I Need Chrome Vox?

Most students will want to disable this feature as it appears during the initial Chromebook setup. This is a free screen reader that can be enabled or disabled through the accessibility features if needed at a future date.

Student Internet Activity

Internet Filtering

Technology and Information Services operates within the guidelines set by various policies and laws. Internet access provided by the district is run through an internet filter that will attempt to block various content.

Which sites are configured to be blocked or allowed while students are in school are based on federal requirements and decisions of the Website Advisory Team. Parents have the ability to monitor and manage their child’s out of school activity using Lightspeed.

Jump to Internet Filtering Frequently Asked Questions

Lightspeed Parent Portal

The Lightspeed Parent Portal gives parents and guardians insight into their students' online activity on school devices and accounts, allowing you to set internet controls for out-of-school hours. It is an extension of the classroom learning tools and web filtering used by schools, providing students with extra educational support outside of class.

Jump to Lightspeed Frequently Asked Questions

Register or Sign In

New to Lightspeed Parent Portal? Create an account using the email address on file with Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Returning users can sign in using their existing credentials.

Open Parent Portal

Screenshot of Lightspeed Parent Portal Login Page

Monitoring Internet Access with Lightspeed

Web Activity

The Web Activity view displays your student's internet activity from the past 7 days, including the websites visited and the date and time each site was accessed. This information can help you monitor online activity and support conversations about safe, responsible technology use.

View Allowed and Blocked Websites

The Allowed/Blocked Activity view in the Lightspeed Parent Portal shows which websites your child has visited and whether those websites were allowed or blocked by the district's web filter.

This information can help you stay informed about your child's online activity and support conversations about safe and responsible technology use. Use the Allowed and Blocked tabs to quickly filter and review activity.

Content filtering settings are managed by Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Parents and guardians cannot modify filtering policies through the Parent Portal.

A dark blue sidebar with %22Lightspeed Systems%22 and %22Web activity%22 is on the left, while two overlapping screens showing web activity for %22Anna Martin%22 are in the background.

Parent Controls During After School Hours

Lightspeed allows you to pause web browsing and manage YouTube access, while at home, during after school hours.

Our district’s after school hours are set Monday - Friday before and after school hours and all day Saturday and Sunday. These dates and times apply across all schools and are in place even on student holidays.

Block All Internet Access

Parents can pause internet access on their school-issued devices for their child outside of school hours for set periods of time, such as 1 hour, 3 hours, or until the next morning. They can also create a recurring schedule of times when internet access is restricted.

How do I temporarily block all internet access?

Internet access can only be blocked outside of normal school hours.

If you have more than one student, you can toggle between students in the Web activity section.
Select the Pause web browsing button and choose the amount of time to pause web browsing.

Please note that the pause function cannot be automated. You will need to pause the device every day.

Screenshot of Lightspeeds pause browsing feature.

Set a Schedule to Block Website Access

The Parent Portal Schedules feature allows you to configure the days and times certain websites are blocked. You can pick and choose certain categories of websites to block or build your own custom block list.

Screenshot of the Create Schedule window in the Parent Portal.

Blocked and Allowed Websites

Parents have the ability to manage their student’s internet usage outside of school hours. Student devices are monitored through the district’s internet filter 24/7, but parents can block additional web sites before and after school if they choose. For example, some parents block certain gaming web sites or YouTube, during homework time.

Manage YouTube Access

YouTube includes rich educational content and our district is diligent about monitoring access to ensure your child can access appropriate YouTube content. With the Lightspeed Parent Portal, you can allow or block access to YouTube after school as needed.

YouTube toggle in Lightspeed Parent Portal

Custom Block List

You can also build a custom block list of specific websites you would like to have blocked. Blocking these sites, only works outside school hours.

Self-Service Password Reset

Reset Your District Password

Change or reset your district password however is most convenient for you!

Register for this service to get started. You’ll need to set up a mobile number, external email address, or answer three security questions. This information will be used to verify your identity for password resets.

A strong password is the best way to protect ourselves against hacking and phishing attacks.

Change Password

Go to the Password Change Portal

Use the Password Change Portal link above when you know your password and want to change it to something new.

You will need to provide your current district password before you can create a new password. If you do not know your current password, use the Reset Portal link instead.

Length is the most important factor in creating a secure password. A minimum of 16 characters is required. A long password doesn’t have to be difficult to remember. A long, easy to remember password is known as a passphrase.

Reset Password

Go to the Password Reset Portal

Use the Password Reset Portal if you have already registered for Self-Service Password Reset and don't know your password. You will reset your password using one of the authentication methods you set up during registration.

If you know your current password, use the Password Change Portal link instead.

Register for Self-Service

Follow the link above to the Self-Service Password Reset Registration Form to set up your account, a one-time requirement.

You will need to select at least one of the validation methods from the following list:

Authentication Phone: Set this option to another phone number that you have access to. An example is a cell phone that can receive a text or a call.
Authentication Email: Set this option to an alternate email address that you can access without using the password you want to reset.
Security Questions: Provide answers to three security questions chosen from the list of questions presented.

Data entered for authentication phone and authentication email are not visible in the global directory. Only you can see the answers to your security questions. The more information you provide, the more options you'll have if you forget your password.

Digital Security

The Importance of Digital Security

In today’s world, keeping our online spaces safe is more important than ever. Cybersecurity helps protect not just our personal information but also keeps our community safe.

Why Cybersecurity is Important

Protecting personal information - Staff and students have private information that needs to be safe. If this information is stolen, it could lead to identity theft or misuse. Good cybersecurity helps protect this data.
Creating a safe place to learn - A secure online environment allows students and teachers to focus on learning without worrying about online threats.
Stopping disruptions - Cyberattacks can interrupt classes, make it hard to access resources, and block communication. Focusing on cybersecurity helps keep these interruptions to a minimum.
Building trust - When we commit to cybersecurity, it shows we care about keeping everyone safe. Trust is important in making a positive place to learn.
Empowering people - Knowing about cybersecurity helps everyone protect themselves and our school. By learning about it, we can all make our online community safer.

How to Keep Your Accounts Safe Online

Secure Passwords

Online security is important in today's world, and strong passwords help protect us. But strong passwords are not only complicated—they are long too. Long passwords have more possible combinations making it harder for hackers to guess.

There are two key practices to follow for better protection:

Don’t reuse passwords - Using the same password for multiple accounts is risky. If someone finds out one password, they can get into all your accounts.
Use a password manager - Relying on your browser to save passwords can be dangerous if someone hacks your device. A password manager can create unique, secure passwords for each account and keep them safe.

By using long passwords and a password manager, you’ll have stronger security for a safer online experience.

What makes a strong password?

Length - The district requires passwords be 16 characters or longer.
Mixed characters - To make your password more complex, try using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Avoid predictable information - Don't use easily guessable information such as birthdays, names of pets and family members, or common words.
Unique passwords - When you update your password, don’t just add a character to the end of your old one. For example, avoid changing "yellowschoolbus!" to "yellowschoolbus!!" or "fluffybunny1" to "fluffybunny2".
Avoid using common password patterns - Avoid using common passwords like "123456" or "password."

Learn more about passwords.

There are a variety of password managers available. This article from CyberNews compares a variety of paid and free options.

Learn More About Passwords & MFA

Stay Safe Online - Passwords

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Why MFA is Important

MFA, or Multi-Factor Authentication, is a way to make your accounts more secure by adding extra steps when you log in. This means even if someone gets your password, they still won’t be able to access your account easily.

MFA combines something you know (like your password) with something you have (like a special code) or something unique to you (like your fingerprint). This makes it harder for hackers to break in and helps keep your personal information safe.

Phishing

Watch Out for Phishing Scams

Phishing is when cybercriminals try to trick you into sharing personal information, like passwords or bank details. They often send fake emails that look real but contain harmful links or attachments. To stay safe, be cautious with emails from unknown senders.

Here are signs an email might be a phishing attempt:

Offers that seem too good to be true
Language that feels urgent, alarming, or threatening
Poor spelling and grammar
Generic greetings
Requests for personal information
Urgent prompts to click unfamiliar links or attachments
Unexpected business requests
Email addresses with slight misspellings (like “pavpal.com” instead of “paypal.com”)

By looking for these signs, you can help protect your information.

Why Reporting Phishing Attempts Matters

Reporting phishing emails helps protect sensitive information, prevent breaches, and builds trust.

Stops breaches - Reporting phishing blocks attempts to steal personal details.
Finds patterns - When phishing emails are reported, it helps cybersecurity teams improve defenses against future attacks.

Reporting phishing keeps online spaces safer for all.

The Difference Between Phishing & Spam

Phishing

Fake messages to trick you into giving away personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers. These messages often look like they’re from trusted sources, like real companies or people you know. The goal is to steal your information, which can lead to identity theft or losing money.

Spam

Spam is unwanted bulk messages, usually sent to advertise products or services. These messages can be annoying and fill up your inbox, but they’re generally not trying to steal your information. The main goal of spam is just to promote something, often from unknown sources.

Software Updates

Keeping software up to date is important for staying safe online. Updates usually include security fixes that close gaps in the system. Hackers often use these gaps to break into computers.

By updating your software regularly, you get the latest protection against new threats, which helps prevent malware, data breaches, and other attacks.

Updates can also make your software work better and add new features, improving your experience while keeping you protected.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

It's important to be careful when using AI tools because they might collect and save your personal information. If you’re not careful, you could accidentally share sensitive details that others might misuse.

AI can also give answers based on the information it learned, which might sometimes be wrong or biased.

Keeping your information safe is essential to protect your privacy and prevent anyone from using your data without permission. Using strong passwords and being careful about what you share can help protect you from identity theft, fraud, and other risks.

By staying aware, you can use AI safely and enjoy its benefits.

Chromebook Frequently Asked Questions

If I need a Chromebook, what do I need to do?

Trouble with your Chromebook? Try these tricks first!

How do I update my Chromebook?

What should I do if the Chromebook is damaged or isn’t working?

My camera doesn't show anything.

What if I have concerns about the amount of time my student is spending in front of a screen?

You can help reduce non-productive, non-school screen time by:

Limiting the amount of time your child is using the device for entertainment
Keeping the bedroom as a screen free area
Encouraging your child to get plenty of exercise and daily physical activities
Increasing the amount of screen time your student spends creating content over the amount of time spend consuming content

How will my student be protected from objectionable material on the Internet?

District devices use filtering software to screen out objectionable websites. However, no filtering system is perfect. Students learn about digital safety and responsibility and how to stay away from objectionable material and be safe online. Because no filtering system is perfect, it is important parents and guardians monitor computer use and practice digital citizenship.

What do I do if my student isn’t going to attend Salem-Keizer next year?

What do I need to do to return the Chromebook and/or hotspot to the District?

Internet Filtering Frequently Asked Questions

Blocking and Filtering Policy

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) sets certain filtering rules for schools and libraries. These policies are designed to minimize student access to inappropriate or distracting material while using school-provided devices or networks.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools policy guiding filtering can be found in Administrative Policy TIS-A004 Internet Filtering

Internet filtering is not 100% successful. It's generally not possible to completely block access to all inappropriate or unwanted content on the internet. There will always be some content that manages to slip through the filters, and there are many ways that determined users can bypass internet filters if they really want to. Users must take responsibility for their own use of technology resources to avoid objectionable content.
Attempts to defeat or bypass the district’s internet filter or conceal internet activities are prohibited and subject to Administrative Policy INS-A004 Electronic Resources: Student Acceptable Use. Proxies, https, special ports, modifications to district browser settings and any other techniques designed to evade filtering or enable the publication of inappropriate content are also prohibited.

Digital Citizenship Curriculum

Understanding Filtering Rules

Websites are initially filtered based on general categories managed and maintained by our filtering vendor. These are broad categories that are updated frequently with website information as it can be applied for categorization.

The categories blocked are defined by user group. At SKPS there are four filter groups:

Elementary School Students and Guest users
Middle School Students
High School Students
Staff

Filtering rules are district-wide and apply to all schools and programs.

Lightpseed Parent Portal Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the Lightspeed Parent Portal?

Can I access the Parent Portal on my mobile device?

Yes. The Parent Portal works on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices using your mobile web browser. For quick access, you can add the Parent Portal to your home screen, where it functions much like a mobile app without requiring a download from an app store. Updates are applied automatically, so you'll always have access to the latest version.

Add to Home Screen on iPhone or iPad

Open the Parent Portal in Safari or Chrome.
Tap the Share button.
Select Add to Home Screen.
Tap Add to confirm.

Add to Home Screen on Android

Open the Parent Portal in Chrome.
Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
Select Add to Home Screen.
Tap Add to confirm.

How do I create my account?

You will receive a Welcome to Parent Portal email from Lightspeed Systems at the email address on file with your student's school. Select Start Using Parent Portal in the email to open the Parent Portal and create your account.

On the Parent Portal sign-in page, select Create Account and complete the registration process using the same email address that is on file with your student's school. After your account has been created, you can return to the Parent Portal at any time to sign in and access your student's information.

Each parent needs their own email address. Lightspeed won't create accounts for duplicate emails within the same student record.

Step 1: Select Start Using Parent Portal in the welcome email.

Screenshot of the Welcome to Parent Portal email from Lightspeed.

Step 2: Select Create Account and complete the registration process.

Screenshot of the Parent Portal Create an account page.