Best Practices & Tips

 

Communication

We use multiple tools for communication.  All staff are provided Microsoft Outlook email accounts by Hamden Public Schools.  You’ll receive emails frequently from colleagues and administrators in your Outlook account.   

ParentSquare is the application we are moving to for parent communications.  It will be fully implemented this year, but parents (and colleagues) already have the ability to Direct Message you or send you Posts.  

You should identify at least one specific time during the day when you will read and respond to emails and messages.  

 

Student Data Privacy

Please do not use email or other electronic means to communicate student information of a sensitive nature.  

Using applications that have not been approved by the district (even if they are free) may allow vendors access to students’ personal information and is not aligned with the Connecticut General Statutes §§ 10-234aa through 10-234dd.  The statute applies to any situation in which districts use educational technology that captures or accesses personal student information, records, or data.

 

Phishing Emails

Be wary of emails you receive that appear to be from another Hamden employee, but are unexpected or strike an unusual tone.  While our filters prevent you from receiving most of these, occasionally one or two will get by the system.  Examples include an email from an administrator requesting your phone number, or needing your help.  

 

PowerSchool Attendance

If you are responsible for recording student attendance in your role, then be mindful that this becomes a legal record.  For example, the information may be used to establish a student’s whereabouts on a given day or time, or could become part of a custody case.  Please be sure you take care to record it accurately.

 

Cloud Storage

Save your work to OneDrive or Google or other cloud storage.  If you save to OneDrive, anything you lose can be retrieved.  There is a time limit to retrieving your work from Google.  Be sure you are signed into OneDrive so your documents and desktop sync and save.  Anything in your Downloads folder does not save automatically.  Move your downloads to another location.