What is Google Workspace for Education?
Google Workspace for Education is an integrated communication and collaboration solution, hosted by Google and managed by the Pulaski Academy & Central School District. Google Workspace for Education will provide the ability for PACS students, faculty and staff to communicate via email, store files and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time from school, work, or home, all within a secure “closed campus” online environment.

How will it be used? 
Google Workspace for Education will provide the ability for students and teachers to store files and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time from school or home within a “closed campus” online environment. The use of these tools is optional, and intended to provide an approved and supportable alternative to “consumer” Google accounts.

What can my student/child do with Google Workspace for Education? 
Students will have easy access to their documents, spreadsheets, and presentations within Google Docs. Students will have additional storage for other files they may need to use between home and school. Students will also be able to email each other and their teachers within the "closed campus" pulaskicsd.org domain.

As the use of PACS Google Workspace for Education continues, there may be other features that are added within G Suite for Education. You will be informed about any significant changes to the tools your student is using in the secure PACS environment.

How much is PACS paying for this?
Google Workspace for Education is free to PACS.

What if I don’t have a computer? How is my child going to get to use it?
The use of PACS Google Workspace for Education is part of the instructional program and students have many opportunities to work in their PACS G Suite for Education account during the school day. Because PACS Google Workspace for Education is safe and web based, it can be accessed from the public library or other places where computers are available.

Should I get my child their own computer?
The use of Google Workspace for Education for Education does not require students to have their own computer or any other personal device. That is an individual family decision.

How will my child access PACS Google for Education?
With teacher guidance, students must first activate their Google Workspace for Education account and set their password from a computer at school. Once the student has an active account, they can go to www.google.com and log in using his or her full G Suite for Education email address (username@pulaskicsd.org) and password.           

Will my child be required to access Google Workspace for Education at home?
The instructional use of PACS Google Workspace for Education by teachers is required. Since Google Workspace for Education is accessible from any device with access to the Internet, your child does have the opportunity to log into his or her account from home to access their information or work on their documents, and collaborate on shared documents with other students and/or their teacher. Homework will be determined by each teacher. 

Why can’t my child e-mail me with this account?
PACS Google Workspace for Education is a “walled garden.”  It will not allow students to send or receive email outside of the PACS Google Workspace for Education domain. You will not be able to email your student at his or her pulaskicsd.org account, nor will they be able to email you.   

My child already has a Gmail account. Why can't they use that one?
PACS Google Workspace for Education Mail is one of the applications offered. Please be assured your student’s pulaskicsd.org account will work only within our secured environment. In other words, your student will only be able to use this account for messaging within PACS Google Workspace for Education.  It will not allow him or her to send or receive email outside of our “walled garden.” You will not be able to email your student at his or her pacs.cnyric.org address, nor will he or she be able to email you.

Do these apps work on an iPad or other tablet? 
Google documents may be edited using a mobile browser.

Can parents use it?
Currently only PACS employees and PACS students can access PACS Google Workspace for Education. However, parents may arrange to have parent/guardian Google classroom summaries emailed to them. To request this, please email your child's teacher(s). 

Can I see what my child is doing in Google Workspace for Education?
Will there be a Parent View account?  No, there is not a Parent View account. Parents are encouraged to explore Google Workspace for Education with their children by logging in together. You will be able to have your student log in to his or her PACS Google account at home and show you what they are currently working on in class, as well as items that have been “turned in” and commented on by the teacher. Parents may also arrange to have parent/guardian Google classroom summaries emailed to them. To request this, please email your child's teacher(s). 

Online security – How protected is my student from outside people?
PACS takes security and privacy of student information very seriously.  PACS Google Workspace for Education is not accessible by anyone outside of PACS, so your student will be able to work and collaborate in a safe and secure online environment. 

What about Privacy?
PACS is responsible for protecting and safeguarding the confidentiality of student information.  PACS has contracted with Google to provide access to Google Workspace for Education to its users (students and staff) in a closed and secure environment that is not accessible by anyone out side of PACS. Google Workspace for Education is governed by detailed privacy policy and security measures which PACS has reviewed and is satisfied they appropriately protect the privacy of its users of these tools.  Under our Terms of Service Agreement with Google, like PACS, they are obligated to comply with FERPA regulations.                        

Who has access to my child’s account?
The Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service agreement with PACS contractually ensures that our institution (students, faculty, and staff) are the sole owners of their data.  Google will only access content stored on Google Workspace for Education when an administrator from PACS grants Google explicit permission to do so. One example would be to investigate inappropriate use.

Does my child retain copyright of their creations?
The same copyright rules apply to content in Google Workspace for Education that would apply to any other creation, provided the student is the sole owner.

What protection will PACS provide so that my child is not accessing inappropriate content on the web?
There are no advertisements used with Google Workspace or Education. Google Workspace for Education is an online collaboration tool that is accessed using a web browser and requires a login and password. Gmail is a free, web-based email platform that offers SPAM protection and is completely ad-free in Google Workspace for Education accounts. Additionally, the district utilizes a web filtering service that is CIPA compliant and enables content filtering on student accounts.

What apps are available and how can I expect my child’s teacher to use them?
PACS Google Workspace for Education will provide students with secure and easy online access to documents, spreadsheets, presentation and communication tools that can be accessed easily from home or school and enhance teacher and student collaboration in the classroom and beyond.

Teachers can use Google Docs to facilitate group projects and use the history tool to see the level of participation of each student in a group. Teachers will be able to give feedback to students directly in documents shared with a teacher. Turning in assignments will be as easy as sharing the file in Google Docs with the teacher, or by emailing it to the teacher through the student’s PACS Google Workspace for Education Mail account.

What if another student deletes their work? 
The owner is the only person who can delete a document. Once a document is deleted, no one can access it, including those with whom it was shared.

How will Google Workspace for Education be reflected in their grade?
The use of Google Workspace for Education will not in itself impact grades. Consult with your child’s teacher/s about individual class requirements and grading practices.

Why is Google necessary for students; can’t the teachers just answer the students’ questions? 
The use of Google Workspace or Education is another tool PACS provides to help students and teachers communicate, collaborate, apply critical thinking skills, and work with creativity.  Teachers will continue to answer students’ questions in the classroom. Google Workspace for Education provides students an additional opportunity to ask a teacher questions electronically, helping students learn to communicate in a real world environment.

Why do students need an email?  Isn’t there another way to communicate?
Providing students with a closed email address will allow for streamlined collaboration among their peers and teachers, and provides a consistent digital tool that can be accessed from home and at school.  This will also allow email to become an instructional tool and allow students to participate in authentic online learning in a safe environment.             

What is the value of Google for Education? 
Classroom collaboration; students and teachers can open and edit their documents quickly. No more distractions like USB keys, outdated file attachments, or confusing client software. Anytime - anywhere access; Google Docs lets users be productive at school, at home, and even on their mobile phones. Because Google Docs runs on a web browser, students can work from almost any family computer without having to purchase new software. Easily uploading and sharing files, Google Docs works on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, and supports popular formats such as .doc, .xls, .ppt, and .pdf. Files stored on Google Docs are always accessible and backed-up online. Smarter commenting, better feedback; Google Docs' intuitive commenting feature is ideal for instructor and collaborator feedback. Revision history allows users to review document edits over time.