08212017 Technology Update: Lexia, Aeries Interface, and Aeries Communication

Lexia for K-5 - Ready to go!

The Lexia databases have been updated K-5 teachers. Teachers will find that  classes have been set up and students can begin testing. We are still working on middle school classes, so 6-8 teachers please do not begin using Lexia with your students until further notice.

Teacher login to Lexia:

• Go to myLexia.com login page

• Username: District email address
• Password: If you do not remember your password, click on the link “Forgot password” and create a new password. Passwords should be the same as last year.

Student login to Lexia:

• Go to the Lexia login in the bookmark folder on the Chromebooks

• Username is student email – yes, the entire address (please do not change this or create new accounts for students, the automation will delete these accounts)
• Password is 5 digit perm ID

Please note - the Technology department is working on the final stages of Single Sign On (SSO).  This means that when a student logs onto a Chromebook, they will be logged into Lexia without typing this login information a second time.

New Aeries Interface

As many of you have noticed, the user interface (UI) has changed when you log into Aeries. The older interface was no longer supported and it was critical that we move to the new look and feel with added functionality. We realize that it takes a little time to learn the new navigation, but the basic features remain the same. To assist with this new learning, please visit the Technology department support page at https://goo.gl/anBQoy for a PDF file and links to videos on how to navigate this new environment. Also note, Aeries should be used with the CHROME browser and not Internet Explorer. The Gradebook in Aeries has not changed. If you need an Aeries training refresher, please fill out the online form located at https://goo.gl/Jysh12 so we can determine future training needs.

Aeries Communications

Aeries Communications is the new “Parentlink” (and Remind, and Facebook, and Twitter, and just about any other social media tool!) for Washington Unified. It will be added to Aeries and allows you, as a teacher, to send Direct Messages to individual parents and small groups and to create private or public groups for sharing with our school and family communities. The Aeries Communications service will replace such apps as Remind, Instagram, and other non-district supported means for communicating with families.

If you are a parent of a Washington Unified student, you can log into the Aeries Parent Portal and click on the “Communications” tab to see your parent profile. To make changes to your profile, take a look at the Technology Support for Parents page on the WUSD website.

The Technology department will work with site administrators over the next two weeks to develop best practices and protocols for teachers using Communications, set up site training for teachers from the Technology department, and continue to offer evening and morning sessions for families to receive training on how to communicate through Aeries Communications. More information to follow next week!