Technology

PCS Technology Team


The PCS Technology team is committed to providing comprehensive support to both students and staff. We maintain a wide array of devices, ensure seamless network connectivity, manage robust data systems, and uphold the highest standards of cybersecurity to protect our community. Our mission is to provide an extensive, student-centered program where technology plays a meaningful role in supporting, extending, and individualizing learning opportunities for all students, while increasing productivity for staff. We aspire to foster a blended environment where education thrives in the digital age, including an appropriate balance of screen-based and hands-on experiences.

Chromebook Insurance Info

The optional Chromebook insurance program provides an inexpensive solution for parents to lessen the financial burden in the event that their student’s device is accidentally damaged or lost. Chromebook insurance covers two qualifying device replacements per school year, but does not cover intentional damage such as scratches, markings, or flagrant mistreatment of the device. Please review the terms and conditions below for further details.

Insurance Enrollment Process

  1. Review the terms and conditions linked below
  2. Complete the online form
  3. Submit payment (cash/check to school office; card/e-check online, links are in the enrollment form)

Drop-In Chromebook Support

Is your Chromebook not working or broken?  PCS Technology can help during the Petaluma High Drop-In Chromebook Support hours.

  • Mondays and Fridays 12:20 PM-1:25 PM
  • Wednesday 2:50 PM-3:30 PM
  • Attendance Office Windows

Resources for Students & Families


Submit a ticket after logging into the PCS Technology Helpdesk OR by sending an email to helpdesk@petk12.org. Please include the following:

  • Student’s full name
  • Student ID number
  • School
  • Preferred contact information
  • A thorough description of the issue

Chromebook Support at Casa Grande and Petaluma High Schools

Drop-in support is offered at Casa Grande and Petaluma High Schools.

Submit a ticket through the guest portal of the PCS Technology Helpdesk OR by sending an email to helpdesk@petk12.org

A representative from the PCS Technology department will respond and assist in the resolution of the issue.

The Chromebook iPad insurance programs are optional and provides an inexpensive solution for parents to lessen the financial burden in the event that their student's Chromebook/iPad is damaged, lost, or stolen. 

Chromebook Insurance Form (English)

Chromebook Insurance Form (Spanish)

Purchase Chromebook Insurance Online

English iPad Insurance Program information and forms

Programa de Cobertura para iPad información y formas en Español

Aeries Parent/Student Portal

Aeries Parent Portal allows families to keep up with student progress, including both grades and attendance. You can also choose to receive weekly emailed status updates.
Aeries Parent Portal Overview

Aeries app for iOS/iPad
Aeries app for Android

Clever Single Sign-On

The Clever Single Sign-On portal offers students one location to access educational technology resources. Students can login with a QR code or through Google using their petk12.org account.

Clever Support Page for Families

StudentSquare

StudentSquare (student version of ParentSquare) is the communication platform used for classroom, school, and district communications.  StudentSquare is available in Self Service for PCS iPads and is included in the PCS Bookmarks for Chromebooks.  Students may install the app on their personal devices.

StudentSquare iOS App    StudentSquare Android App

ParentSquare

ParentSquare is the communication platform used for classroom, school, and district communications.  Families can select their preferred language and delivery method (email, text, app, etc.)

ParentSquare iOS App    ParentSquare Android App

Digital Citizenship/Online Safety

We have partnered with Family Zone, a leading provider of cyber safety products and education, to create an educational hub for parents and teachers.

Petaluma Family Zone Cyber Safety Resources

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers a variety of family resources, including answers to common parent concerns, tip sheets that advise how to handle varying challenges, and a digital glossary to help explain common online vocabulary.

Common Sense Media: Parents Concerns   | Common Sense Media: Digital Glossary  | Common Sense Media: Parents' Ultimate Guides

Petaluma City Schools provides filtered internet access to students that is monitored and CIPA compliant.  These filters are configured at the device and network levels so that student devices remain filtered on or off campus, and access for high school students who bring their own devices is filtered.  If you have any questions or concerns about content that your student can access on their PCS device, please submit a ticket including a description of the content, including the URL or search terms.

The iPads issued to PCS students in grades K-6 include an option for parents to set additional restrictions through the Screen Time settings.  Below are some articles from Apple on how to configure these settings:

Please note that PCS Technology may need to override parent restrictions if they prevent access to learning resources.

From California Department of Education 

Listing of Available Internet Plans

Sonic

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Sonic is offering three months of free internet access and unlimited nationwide home telephone service to households with K-12, college students, or senior citizens 60 or older.

Based on location, service is available through our fiber-optic network, with symmetric speeds of up to 1Gbps (1000Mbps/1000Mbps download, and upload) or our copper network, with speeds up to 50Mbps. There are no data caps, so it is ideal for students who are streaming distance learning during the coronavirus crisis. 

Check for availability here: https://www.sonic.com/availability

For financial assistance for current customers, please contact billing@sonic.net.

Xfinity/Comcast

As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, Comcast is taking immediate steps to help connect low-income families to the Internet at home. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020.  https://apply.internetessentials.com/

Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser. 

Acceso Gratuito a Internet

Sonic

Durante el brote de COVID-19, Sonic ofrece tres meses de acceso gratuito a internet y servicio telefónico nacional ilimitado a hogares con K-12, estudiantes universitarios o personas mayores de 60 años o más.

Según la ubicación, el servicio está disponible a través de nuestra red de fibra óptica, con velocidades simétricas de hasta 1Gbps (descarga y carga de 1000Mbps / 1000Mbps) o nuestra red de cobre, con velocidades de hasta 50Mbps. No hay límites de datos, por lo que es ideal para estudiantes que están aprendiendo a distancia durante la crisis del coronavirus.

Consulte disponibilidad aquí: https://www.sonic.com/availability

Para asistencia financiera para clientes actuales, comuníquese con billing@sonic.net.

Xfinity/Comcast

A medida que nuestro país continúa manejando la emergencia COVID-19, Comcast está tomando medidas inmediatas para ayudar a conectar a las familias de bajos ingresos a Internet en el hogar. Los nuevos clientes de Internet Essentials recibirán dos meses gratis de servicio de Internet, que está disponible para todos los hogares calificados de bajos ingresos por $ 9.95 / mes más impuestos. Solicite antes del 30 de abril de 2020. https://apply.internetessentials.com/

Los puntos de acceso WiFi de Xfinity en todo el país estarán disponibles para cualquier persona que los necesite de forma gratuita, incluidos los suscriptores de Internet que no sean Xfinity. Para ver un mapa de los puntos de acceso WiFi de Xfinity, visite www.xfinity.com/wifi. Una vez en un punto de acceso, los consumidores deben seleccionar el nombre de red "xfinitywifi" en la lista de puntos de acceso disponibles y luego iniciar un navegador.