
Technology Resources
Recommended Apps

Seesaw is an interactive learning portfolio for PK-4th students. Families can view student work, celebrate accomplishments, and follow primary classroom activities through photos, videos, and digital assignments.
Olentangy Schools App is a quick-reference portal for district-wide information. Access daily cafeteria menus, view district and school calendars, search the staff directory, and receive instant push notifications for calamity days, delays, and emergency alerts.
Schoology is our digital classroom platform designed for coursework and learning materials in grades 5-12th. Parents and secondary students can view course updates, track upcoming assignment deadlines, and review class resources.
ParentSquare is a unified communications platform. The district, your child’s school, and teachers use ParentSquare to communicate with families. This includes emergency messages as well as everyday information closely related to the school’s educational mission.
MyRide K-12 is the official district transportation tracking tool. Families can view assigned bus routes and stops, track bus locations in real time with GPS, check scheduled pickup and drop-off times, and receive instant push notifications for route changes or delays.
All district mobile applications are available for free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Simply search for the app title on your mobile device and log in using your parent or student district credentials.
Parent Support
PowerSchool
- First-time user: How do I create a parent account?
- How do I check my child's grades and report cards?
- How do I add lunch money or pay student fees?
- How do I find bus route numbers, stop locations, and pickup schedules?
- Can I use the PowerSchool mobile app?
First-time user: How do I create a parent account?
Access the PowerSchool Student and Parent Sign In Page
Creating a new account:
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Get Started: Go to the PowerSchool login page, click the Create Account tab, then click the Create Account button.
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Enter Parent Details: Fill out your basic information and choose your log-in credentials.
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Username: No spaces, special characters, or email addresses.
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Password: At least 8 characters long (do not use the
@symbol).
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Link Your Child: Scroll to the Link Students section and enter the Access ID and Access Password found in your school letter.
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Log In: Click Enter, then sign in with your new username and password.
Need help? Contact your school office for assistance.
How do I check my child's grades and report cards?
Log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal on a web browser, select Grades and Attendance from the menu to see current grades and individual assignment scores. To view or download official report cards, click Report Card.
How do I add lunch money or pay student fees?
Select Lunch and Fee Payments from the left navigation menu inside your parent account. From there, you can view outstanding balances and securely add funds using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
How do I find bus route numbers, stop locations, and pickup schedules?
Can I use the PowerSchool mobile app?
We recommend using the PowerSchool website in your web browser instead of the mobile app. Because the mobile app isn't built specifically for Olentangy Local Schools, it can display inaccurate information that our district staff cannot fix. For the most reliable and up-to-date student information, please log in through the web portal.
Schoology
- What is Schoology and what can I see as a parent?
- How do I set up my Schoology parent account?
- How do I add another child to my existing account?
- What if I lost my access code or need help signing up?
- Where can I find additional guides and support for Schoology?
What is Schoology and what can I see as a parent?
How do I set up my Schoology parent account?
How do I add another child to my existing account?
What if I lost my access code or need help signing up?
Where can I find additional guides and support for Schoology?
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Schoology Parent FAQ: Answers to common questions about managing your account.
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Communication & Notifications: How to set up and adjust your email alert preferences.
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Parent vs. Student Accounts: An overview of the differences between what you see and what your child sees.
Seesaw
- What is Seesaw for Schools?
- How do families connect with Seesaw?
- How do I find the Seesaw App and create an account?
- How do I view my child's Journal?
What is Seesaw for Schools?
Seesaw is a digital learning platform for students in grades in PK-4 elementary school. Accessing Seesaw through a user-friendly interface, young learners are able to capture and showcase their learning with ease. Parents will engage in their child’s learning, viewing their child’s work, providing motivation and encouragement, and communicating with the teacher.
How do families connect with Seesaw?
Families will receive a unique code provided by their teacher to connect to their child's account. The account will connect families with their child’s teacher through messages and will allow them to see their child’s work. Go to "Getting Started with Seesaw for Families" to learn more about how Seesaw connects with families.
How do I find the Seesaw App and create an account?
Families can access their family Seesaw account through the computer or download the Seesaw app. Follow the link to "Create a New Seesaw Account" to receive directions.
How do I view my child's Journal?
The Journal is an area teachers can share with families documenting student learning through photos, videos, and audio. Families can view and leave comments to their child and teacher in the Journal. Click on "View my child's Journal" to learn how to access the Journal.
ParentSquare
- What is ParentSquare?
- Will ParentSquare be used for classroom assignments?
- What apps does ParentSquare replace?
- Will parents receive notifications from ParentSquare if they do not sign up for ParentSquare?
- I cannot sign into ParentSquare. What is the first step?
- How can I update my information (email address, phone number)?
- Why doesn't my ParentSquare invitation link work?
What is ParentSquare?
ParentSquare is a unified communications platform. The district, your child’s school, and teachers use ParentSquare to communicate with families. This includes emergency messages as well as everyday information closely related to the school’s educational mission. It provides a safe way for administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to:
- Send and receive school and class information
- Share pictures and files
- See calendar items
- Sign up to volunteer
- Schedule parent-teacher conferences
- and much more… all in one centralized place!
Will ParentSquare be used for classroom assignments?
What apps does ParentSquare replace?
Will parents receive notifications from ParentSquare if they do not sign up for ParentSquare?
Yes. All parents and/or guardians are automatically registered to receive notifications through ParentSquare when they enroll their student.
Individuals who do not activate their account in ParentSquare will still receive email and text notifications. They will have limited access to other ParentSquare features, like form completion and parent-teacher conferences.
I cannot sign into ParentSquare. What is the first step?
How can I update my information (email address, phone number)?
Why doesn't my ParentSquare invitation link work?
The invitation link is only valid for 24 hours. But you do not need to wait for a new invitation!
Visit https://www.parentsquare.com/signin to create your account with the email address or cell phone number on file with the school.
MyRide K-12
- What information can I view in the app?
- How do I set up and link my child's profile?
- How many people can link to one student's account?
- Will I receive school closing and delay alerts through the app?
- Who do I contact if my child doesn't appear in the app or I need help?
What information can I view in the app?
My Ride K-12 is a free mobile app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play that provides Olentangy Schools families with real-time bus tracking, route information, and transportation updates.
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Assigned bus number and driver’s name
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Morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) stop locations
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Estimated pick-up and drop-off times
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Real-time bus arrival updates
How do I set up and link my child's profile?
How many people can link to one student's account?
Will I receive school closing and delay alerts through the app?
Who do I contact if my child doesn't appear in the app or I need help?
Device Support
Bring Your Own Device
- Can my child bring their own device?
- What are the recommended device specifications?
- Setting Up a Personal Chromebook
- We did not setup our Chromebook using the above steps, how do we fix this?
- Recommended Web Browser & Account Sync (All Devices)
- We are using a computer, but our student can’t access his/her Google Drive through the myOLSD portal or Schoology?
Can my child bring their own device?
Yes, students may bring a personal device to school, but it is not required.
Please note Olentangy will not be able to provide technical support for personal computing devices. The district will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property whether it be by accidental or malicious means including but not limited to other users, viruses, malware, spyware, or bot traffic.
What are the recommended device specifications?
Recommended Device Specifications
To ensure your student's device supports interactive web tools, video content, and multi-app tasks, we recommend the following hardware specifications:
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Processor: Intel Core i3 / AMD Ryzen 3 / Apple M1 (or modern MediaTek/Snapdragon for Chromebooks)
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Memory (RAM): 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended for longevity)
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Storage: 128 GB SSD minimum (256 GB recommended; avoid older 32–64 GB eMMC storage)
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Display: Touchscreen / 2-in-1 convertible recommended for Grades K–8
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Battery & Wireless: 8+ hours real-world battery life, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) capable
Students who bring a personal device are responsible for its care and safety at all times.
Setting Up a Personal Chromebook
If your student is bringing a personally owned Chromebook to school, follow these steps during initial setup to ensure proper device management and app compatibility:
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Create a Personal Profile First: Turn on the device and sign in using a personal Gmail account (
@gmail.com) as the primary owner. This establishes primary hardware ownership and administration rights for the personal device. -
Add the Olentangy Account Second: Once the device is initialized, log out or select Add Person / Add Account from the main sign-in screen, then sign in with your student’s district Olentangy account credentials.
Note: Students should switch to their Olentangy profile during the school day to access all district digital resources and network tools smoothly.
We did not setup our Chromebook using the above steps, how do we fix this?
You can factory reset your Chromebook and start again.
- Sign out of your Chromebook.
- Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r.
- Select Restart.
- In the box that appears, select Powerwash Continue.
- Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account.
Note: The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account. - Once you've reset your Chromebook:
- Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Chromebook
- Check if the problem is fixed
Recommended Web Browser & Account Sync (All Devices)
Regardless of whether your student uses a Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook, Google Chrome is the required and recommended web browser for all district coursework.
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Log Into the Chrome Browser: Students must open Google Chrome and sign in to the browser profile itself using their official Olentangy credentials.
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Ensure Seamless Compatibility: Remaining logged into Chrome with an Olentangy account ensures single sign-on (SSO) tools, embedded Schoology assignments, and myOLSD resources open properly without permission errors or access blocks.
We are using a computer, but our student can’t access his/her Google Drive through the myOLSD portal or Schoology?
Most likely your student is not logged into the Chrome Browser.
Manage Chrome with multiple profiles - Computer - Google Chrome Help
Service Desk
Digital Safety
Keeping your child safe online and protecting their data is a top priority for Olentangy Local Schools. Here is how we safeguard your child's digital privacy and security:
- Following Federal Privacy and Safety Laws: We strictly follow federal student privacy laws (FERPA and COPPA) to keep your child's records confidential, as well as internet safety regulations (CIPA) to help block inappropriate content on district networks.
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Protecting Student Data (Ohio SB 29): Under Ohio law, all student data belongs to our school district. Educational software vendors are legally forbidden from selling, sharing, or using student information for advertising or profit.
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Monitoring School Devices Responsibly: We only check or monitor school-issued devices for schoolwork and safety. This includes daily classroom instruction, tech support, online testing, or responding to urgent safety concerns. Parents receive advance notice about regular classroom monitoring and prompt updates if a device is accessed during an emergency.
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Vetting Classroom Apps and Tools: Before a digital tool or app is officially approved for district use, our technology team reviews it. Vendors must have a signed data privacy agreement on file with the district before approval to ensure your child's information is protected.
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Viewing Approved Tools: You can check our current list of safety-reviewed tools and privacy agreements anytime on our Approved Digital Resources Page.
AI in Olentangy
AI in Olentangy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an important part of the world our students live, learn, and work in. Olentangy Schools Board of Education recently adopted Policy 7540.09: Artificial Intelligence (AI) to guide the responsible use of AI technologies throughout our school district.
This policy supports the thoughtful use of AI as a tool to enhance learning, creativity, productivity, and innovation while maintaining high standards for privacy, safety, academic integrity, and human oversight.
As we begin to explore AI opportunities, Olentangy Schools is committed to:
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Keeping Humans at the Center: AI tools enhance instruction and daily workflows. They never replace human connection, teacher instruction, or authentic student effort.
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Protecting Data Privacy: We vet and approve "Closed AI" tools with enterprise-level privacy contracts. District and student data are never used to train public AI models.
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Maintaining Academic Integrity: We empower students to develop their own critical thinking while setting clear rules for proper AI citation..
Approved Staff & Student AI Tools

Olentangy Schools maintains a public inventory of reviewed and approved AI software. Each tool undergoes a strict IT risk assessment to guarantee compliance with FERPA, IDEA, COPPA, and Ohio privacy laws.
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Google Gemini (Staff Only): An AI assistant used by teachers and staff to help design lesson plans, create classroom activities, and streamline administrative work.
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MS Copilot (Staff Only): A Microsoft enterprise AI assistant that helps staff members organize documents, analyze data, draft communications, and increase administrative efficiency.
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NotebookLM (Grades 6-12): A personalized AI study assistant. Middle and high school students can upload class notes and readings to generate custom study guides, summaries, and outlines based directly on teacher-approved materials.
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Canva (All K-12): A visual design platform with guided AI features that allow students to create presentations, posters, infographics, and digital art projects safely.
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Adobe Express (All K-12): A creative multimedia tool that helps students design graphics, edit videos, and practice digital storytelling using built-in, age-appropriate creative AI features.
What This Means for Students
Students may use approved AI tools for academic work only when explicitly permitted by their teachers.
Students are expected to:
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Use approved AI tools ethically and responsibly to support, rather than replace, their own learning and effort.
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Follow specific course syllabi and assignment guidelines regarding AI use.
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Properly cite or disclose any AI assistance according to teacher instructions.
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Never input personal, private, or confidential information into any AI tool.
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Use AI respectfully. Using AI for bullying, harassment, or creating misleading imagery is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary policy.
What This Means for Staff
Staff members may explore approved AI tools to enhance instruction and streamline administrative tasks while upholding privacy, safety, and professional oversight.
Staff expectations and best practices include:
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Maintaining Human Oversight: Review and verify the accuracy and appropriateness of all AI-generated output before use. Employees remain solely responsible for any AI-assisted content used in instruction or communications.
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Protecting Confidential Data (No PII): Never paste personally identifiable information (PII) into any AI tool. This includes student records (grades, behavior logs, health data), colleague data, and confidential district operational details.
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Using District Accounts Only: Conduct all district business using approved platforms and enterprise accounts. Staff must not use personal accounts or unapproved consumer platforms (such as personal ChatGPT) for work tasks.
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Setting Clear Boundaries for Students: Clearly define AI parameters for students through syllabi, rubrics, and assignment instructions. Never require students to sign up for external, unvetted AI platforms.
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Avoiding High-Stakes Automation: Generative AI must never be used to originate or draft official district records, personnel decisions, or student legal plans.
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Streamlining Workflows Responsibly: Utilize approved tools like Google Gemini and MS Copilot to draft communications, analyze non-sensitive data, and design instructional scaffolds.
What This Means for Families
Families play a vital role in helping students navigate emerging technology safely. We encourage parents and guardians to:
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Discuss responsible digital citizenship and ethical AI use at home.
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Ask your children how AI is being utilized in their specific classes.
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Emphasize critical thinking, fact-checking, and original student effort.
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Reach out to teachers or administrators if you have questions about classroom expectations.