Sunday, May 19 Synergy/HCPSS Connect Planned Maintenance 
The vendor for Synergy has scheduled a mandatory maintenance window to complete updates on Sunday, May 19 at 9 p.m. The window will last until all necessary updates have been successfully applied, which is anticipated to be approximately at 2 a.m. on Monday, May 20. Users may experience times of no or sluggish response during this maintenance window. Once the work is complete, users may continue to log in as usual.

Supplemental Digital Tools Approval Process

  • Any desired supplemental digital tools that are not currently on the approved/not approved tools list should be submitted using the new Digital Tools Request form found in the Service Request (SR) System by May 30. 

    Additional Information: A digital tool is an interactive website, application including Google services, or software that requires an account with a username and password. HCPSS categorizes digital tools as Supplementary or Essential.  

    More information, including currently approved tools, can be found on the HCPSS Digital Tools public website and the Digital Tools Canvas community. If, after reviewing the information, you have questions regarding the approval process for digital tools, please email Julie Wray.

    • When staff submit a request through the SR system, principals/supervisors will need to sign off. A supervisor might deny a request because the tool is not instructionally appropriate or requires a purchase that is not within the school’s budget. 
    • Following supervisor approval, the tool is reviewed for data privacy, accessibility, technology, and curriculum standards.
    • Throughout the workflow, the submitter will receive updated emails regarding the status of their submission.
    • Forms submitted after May 30 may not be approved for the start of the next school year and will be reviewed as time allows.  
    • Staff are reminded that P-cards cannot be used to purchase supplemental digital tools.
    • Supplementary Digital Tools: HCPSS authorizes digital tools to be used as supplementary (non-essential) enrichments to staff and students’ educational experiences. Parents have the right to opt their students out of these digital tools. Examples include Khan Academy, Kahoot, and Plickers.
    • Essential Digital Tools*: Essential Digital Tools are digital tools that HCPSS considers necessary to deliver educational programs and operational services that support the system's goals. Examples include, but are not limited to, those linked on the student landing page, hcpss.me.

      *School-based staff should not request essential digital tools. These are requested by curriculum staff.