Using Google to Inform Students/Parents

through PowerSchool Gradebook

Google Calendar—A Google Calendar allows you to organize agenda items in one space and then link
the public Google Calendar to PowerSchool Gradebook

Google Sites—Create a website or file cabinet to store class information or class assignments,
PowerPoint’s, Worksheets, etc. and then link them to PowerSchool Gradebook.

Google Docs- a place to store documents for collaboration or students

1. Create a Google Account  Go to www.google.com/accounts

 Click “Create a Google Account”
Skip this step if you already
have a Google account.

 Enter information to create account

 An e-mail will be sent to your e-mail, you’ll need to confirm it,
but can go ahead and start using your account now.
2. Create a Google Calendar  Go to www.google.com/calendar
 If you aren’t logged in already you will be prompted to log in.
Log into your Google Account  Google creates a default calendar with your e-mail name
and then follow the directions. linked to it. You can create a new calendar and name it to
coincide with the name of your classes by selecting “Create”
on the left under “Calendars”

 Make your Calendar public. 

o To do this click on the drop down menu next your
calendar name (in the left column) and choose
Calendar settings (not the Settings below your
calendar name)
o Choose the Share this calendar tab.
o Select Yes when the warning pops up about making
the information public.

3. Link Google Calendar to From Google Calendar site

PowerSchool Gradebook
 Go to the Calendar Details Tab
 Click on the blue HTML button under the Calendar Address
section.
 Highlight and copy the URL address that pops up for your
calendar.
 Add the Calendar to your PowerSchool Gradebook My Content

 Open your gradebook.

 Choose the Class Content Tab.
 Select My Content and then the + symbol at the bottom of
the page.
 In the New Link Dialog box:
o Type the Name of the calendar (i.e. Math 8 Calendar)
o Paste the copied URL in the URL box by using the
shortcut “Ctrl + V” (You copied this in the last step)
o Set “Type” as Web Site.
o You can create and assign the calendar to a group.
(This is a good idea if you teach different content
areas because you can organize information better.)
o Click Save.

Link the Calendar to a specific Class Period

 Select the class period to link the calendar to.

 Select Class Info under the Class Content Tab.
 Click the +link button.
 Select My Content in the dialog box that pops up.
 Select the Calendar you just added to my content and click
OK.
 Press Save.

4. Create a Google File Cabinet Create Google Site

to store files to be linked to  Go to www.google.com/sites
Google  Log In to your Google account. (If you aren’t already logged
into your Google account you will be prompted for your login
and password.)
 Select Create new site.
o You will now create a site to put different “File
Cabinets” on to store files. Name the site something
simple, you can create different file storage areas
later for different content areas.
o Make sure to check the “Everyone in the World Can
View this Site”
o Enter the security code
o Click “Create Site” at the bottom

 Enter your class agenda item information and choose Save

Add File Cabinet to Google Site Add File Cabinet to Google Site
 Select “+Create Page” in the top right of your new Site
  Select “File Cabinet” and choose a distinguishable name for
your File cabinet (i.e. Algebra 1)

 Choose “Create Page”

Add Files to Your File Cabinet
Add Files to Your File Cabinet
 To browse and add Worksheets, PowerPoints,
notes pages, etc. to your Google File Cabinet.
 TIP: Save files as PDF’s before uploading. These files take up
less storage space, download quicker, and will be able to be
open by most operating systems from home computers.

Add your File Cabinet Files to Power School Gradebook MyContent

Add your File Cabinet Files to Power
School Gradebook MyContent  Select “View” under the file you’d like to add to your
gradebook and open the file.
 There will be a long URL when the file opens up in the web
address bar. Right click on the URL to select it all and select
Copy from the list.
 Open your gradebook.
 Choose the Class Content Tab.
 Select My Content and then the + symbol at the bottom of
the page.
 In the New Link Dialog box:
o Type the Name of the calendar (i.e. Math 8 Calendar)
o Paste the copied URL in the URL box by using the
shortcut “Ctrl + V” (You copied this in the last step)
o Set “Type” as Web Site.
o You can create and assign the calendar to a group.
(This is a good idea if you teach different content
areas because you can organize information better.)
o Click Save.

Link file to an assignment

 Open or create the class assignment in PowerSchool
gradebook you would like to link your Google file from.
 In the assignment details under “Description” type some
directions for students. (i.e. If you missed today’s notes you
can find them here:” or “If you were absent you can find the
worksheet here:”)
 Then choose “+Link” under the word “Description”
 Choose the “My Content” tab at the top and select the file to
be attached to this assignment. And select “OK”
Some online training and information on Google Sites and Google Docs

Google Sites

http://www.google.com/sites/overview.html

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fsites.google.com
%2F&service=jotspot&passive=true&ul=1

https://www.google.com/support/sites/?hl=en

Google Docs

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=true&continue=http%3A%2F
%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&ltmpl=WR_tmp_2_lfty&nui=1&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-
bk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=google.docs

Google Docs for Educators

http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html

A few hints:

For students to see documents, they must be made public

In your gradebook make categories for your links (as this becomes more important, you will want it
organized)

When putting in kids assignments, you may want to post as a PDF so students cannot change.