Terra Linda High School | San Rafael City Schools Student Information Systems
Frequently Asked Questions:
I recently received a letter asking me to register for Aeries Parent Portal, is that the same as School Loop registration?
No, Aeries and School Loop are separate data and information systems; we would like you to register for each of these systems since they serve different communication functions. Our goal is to provide you with information you need as you partner with us in your child’s education.
What is Aeries Parent Portal?
Aeries, by Eagle Software, is our district’s official student information system. Aeries Parent Portal provides you access to view your student’s official school records including past grades and transcripts, and performance on STAR tests. You can view your child’s attendance records including absences and tardies; and view your child’s emergency contact information. In the spring, the system is opened for a brief period to allow high school students to register for the next year’s classes.
At Terra Linda High School, teachers have been using Aeries Grade Book, for over five years, to keep parents and students informed of student progress. This year, some teachers will use School Loop’s grade book program.
What is School Loop?
School Loop is a web based communications utility. School Loop is used to create and maintain the school, department, teacher and district websites for public viewing. Teachers and staff have access to create and maintain their own sections of the public website.
Why should I register for School Loop?
When students and parents register for School Loop they will be able to receive news and see calendar events that are posted strictly for students and parents. For example, in our K-5 schools we have decided to post field trip dates only in the private calendar on the website, instead of the public calendar.
Many teachers will use the system to post current assignments, class events, due dates and grades in progress. School Loop gradebook is easy for teachers who add their assignments to the website, because they can add the same assignments to their grade book with two more clicks of the mouse. Please remember that teachers need adequate time to update grades.
What is the daily “Homework email”?
Registered parents and students will receive a daily homework email that will show current news from the school and their own teachers, along with current assignments and upcoming due dates. Teachers will continue to encourage students to write assignments down in their plan books to help them develop good habits of self-organization. Please encourage your child to take personal responsibility for getting organized and managing time to complete his or her schoolwork and study for upcoming tests and quizzes.
Can I turn off the daily homework email?
If you don’t want to read the daily email each day, feel free to delete it. If you wish to turn it off, you can go to the Account Management area in your portal to turn it off. You will still be able to log in to the School Loop portal to view current news and assignments.
How do I register for School Loop?
Students and Parents need to have the student’s permanent id number in order to register. Go to your school’s home page and click register, choose parent or student registration and fill in the form. The permanent ID is found on the student’s ASB card, it is also on the Aeries Parent portal letter if you still have it.
Will all teachers post assignments and grades in School Loop?
In 2009-2010 teachers are being introduced to the system and many have begun to try out the School Loop assignment and grade book features. In this school year, some teachers will continue to use Aeries grade book, as we pilot the grade book parts of the School Loop system, other teachers have already posted many assignments in Aeries Grade Book. We apologize for any confusion this may cause.
What else can teachers and students do with School Loop?
Assignments area: Students can ask questions about assignments by posting a message; both the teacher or other students can make responses to the questions. (This discussion feature can also be a way for teachers to set up an online discussion assignment, a technique that some research suggests can improve student writing.)
Dropbox tool: Teachers can have students submit assignments using the digital drop box.
Groups: Teachers can create groups to allow students in different sections of the same course to have an online discussion. This past summer the AP literature students used School Loop to host their online discussions, and the Link Crew is using a School Loop Group to coordinate their activities.
My Locker: Students can save files in the “My Locker” area and download them to continue working on them at home or at school, or on any Internet connected computer.
Web Page Lockers: In web page lockers, teachers can easily share documents and website links with website visitors.
LoopMail: Students can easily email other students or teachers and staff when needed using the LoopMail tool. And teachers can use Loop Mail to return assignments to students.
What is a “challenge”?
If you believe someone has falsely registered as your child’s parent or as your child, use the “Challenge” feature to let the system administrators investigate and remove them.
How can I change my password or contact email address in School Loop?
You can change your password and contact email in the Account Management section. This section is in the top right of your portal.
What else can parents do with School Loop to improve school to home communication?
Booster groups may choose to create groups (such as the Denim and Diamonds organizing team, or Athletic boosters) with other parents and staff. Group members can add events to a group calendar, add documents to a shared document “locker” and have an online discussions, using the groups as a space for coordinating activities and involving parents and staff who cannot come to face to face meetings.
I still have more questions!
Please email Sarah Zykanov – szykanov@srcs.org To let me know if there are other questions that should be included in this Frequently Asked Questions list.
