Technology
WJHSD is committed to providing students with technology resources to enhance their learning and reflect the complexity of the modern world. One-to-one learning allows each student to experience the kind of learning environment that is rich in digital media, with instant access to resources all over the world, and support critical thinking skills. The District has a 1:1 Technology initiative and provides an iPad with a keyboard for each student in grades K-12, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Students at WJHSD will experience a dynamic environment on a daily basis and in turn, will become lifelong learners who are active, knowledgeable, and creative.
NEW SKYWARD UPDATE for BACK TO SCHOOL '26
In preparation for the 2026–2027 school year, West Jefferson Hills School District will be transitioning to Skyward Qmlativ, Skyward's newest student information system. Qmlativ (or Q) features a modern interface, streamlined processes, and an improved experience for students and families.
Like our previous system, Skyward SMS 2.0, Qmlativ Family Access will continue to provide convenient access to your student's attendance, grades, assignments, schedules, report cards, and other important information from any computer or mobile device. Students will also have their own accounts to access this information.
Technology Resources
Students
- Help Desk/Ticket System
- Troubleshooting FAQ
- Digital Learning Tools
- Technology Policies and Procedures
- Looking for Protection Plans?
Help Desk/Ticket System
Troubleshooting FAQ
Trouble during school? Tech support is available at each building during school hours. K-8 students can get tech assistance by going to the main office. High school students can report to the technology support room in the C100 hallway.
Trouble at home with their device? Put in a help desk ticket (link above) if urgent or report it to your school office on the next school day.
Digital Learning Tools
Technology Policies and Procedures
Acceptable Use Policy
Click here to read the acceptable use policy.
Portable Technology Agreement
Students are issued a portable technology device to be used for educational purposes.
Students are responsible for the equipment issued to them and will care for the equipment in such a manner as to prevent loss or damage.
- In the event of damage, loss, or theft of the equipment, the student must immediate notify the principal or designee for repair or replacement matters.
- The device is covered by a four-year AppleCare Warranty, which covers two breaks per year, of which, the device would be replaced. More than two breaks per year and the student will be responsible to reimburse the District for the repair cost of the device.
- If the equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged due to the student's intentional act, neglect, or abuse of the equipment, or because of the student's failure to follow Board Policies, District Rules and guidelines, including this agreement, the student will be responsible to reimburse the District for the replacement cost.
- The equipment should be transported in its proper packaging/case and stored carefully so it is not susceptible to damage.
- The equipment should not be left inside a vehicle where temperature extremes can permanently damage the unit and/or its components.
- The equipment should be kept in secure spaces and should not be left visible while not in the user's possession.
- The student will not make any permanent personally identifying marks on the equipment (including stickers, wraps, or address labels).
- The equipment and any other accessories/components will be returned to the proper district authority prior to exiting or transferring out, or at any other time as specifically directed by District authority.
- Use of the equipment is governed by and subject to the rules and conditions contained in the West Jefferson Hills School District Acceptable Use Policy, and other applicable Board Policies, District Rules, and guidelines.
- Any form of extended absences or suspensions longer than 10 days, and the equipment is to be turned in, unless approved by administration.
- All equipment must be returned at the request of the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Students understand and agree that they are responsible to the District for the cost of repair or replacement of a unit that is damaged, lost, or stolen as a result of their intentional act, neglect, or abuse of the equipment because of their failure to follow Board Policies, District Rules and guidelines, including this agreement. The student agrees to the above terms and conditions and agrees to fully cooperate with property loss reporting requirements and with property loss incident investigations.
Looking for Protection Plans?
Parents
- Skyward Instructions
- Instructions for Canvas Parent Observer Account
- Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
- Looking for Protection Plans?
- Technology Policies and Procedures
- Software and Hardware
Skyward Instructions
Directions for Submitting an Absence Request through Parent Skyward For FULL Day Absence Only
- Get into Parent Skyward Account (not student account); think it has to be done on computer the first time and not through phone app (but not definite on this)
- In column on left side, put your cursor over “Attendance” and click on this
- Attendance Requests (if you’ve done previous ones) come up in rectangular box
- Click on “Attendance Request” found center to right side
- A rectangular box comes up, click on “Add Request” on the right
- A new box comes up: pick your dates, pick parent excused, type in comment: which is the “Why” they are out. According to State and District Policy, we have to have a “why” stated
- Click on “Save”
- You have now entered an Absence Request and the Secretary should get a notification
- When the Secretary Approves or Denies the Request, you should get notification of it (not sure if this comes into parent Skyward account or through email)
- This can and should be done the day of the Absence; you have 3 days to submit excuses after an absence
- The schools will need change of transportation and early dismissal notes the morning of.
- Doctor excuses cannot be uploaded into Skyward. Please email them to the secretary or send in when student returns
- See School Handbook for Policy and all information on Absences
Educational Vacation Form Directions for Parents to do through Skyward
- Should be filled out at least a week before the trip so that teachers have time to gather school work
- Go to your Skyward Account; once signed in
- On the left, put mouse over “Online Forms” - up comes a box with school, child’s name, and Vacation Request with a “fill out form”; click on the “fill out form” (if you have children in multiple schools, you will need to do one for each child)
- Up comes a message from the district
- On the right is 1. Education Vacation Request and 2. Complete Vacation Request
- Click on #1
- This states “hasn’t been filled out, would you like to”; you will click on the “yes”
- The Form comes up
- Student Information and guardian information should already be filled in
- You go to the “request for Education Trip … From: ______ through: _____
- Fill in the dates for From and through - use numbers: xx/xx/xxxx
- Fill in the Destination
- Fill in the Value of this Educational Trip - please state date student is back in school
- Fill in your Signature and date to have your signature electronically signed
- Click in the center bottom: “complete step 1”
- Back at the top of the page after it refreshes, click “next step”
- Now click Submit Education Vacation Form
- School Secretary should get notification of this
- Printed and then the Principal Approves or Denies based on previous absences, copy with his signature is sent home
Submitting a Second Educational Vacation Request
Click here to see the Educational Vacation Request Second Submission
Instructions for Canvas Parent Observer Account
Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
Looking for Protection Plans?
Technology Policies and Procedures
Acceptable Use Policy
Click here to read the acceptable use policy.
Portable Technology Agreement
Students are issued a portable technology device to be used for educational purposes.
Students are responsible for the equipment issued to them and will care for the equipment in such a manner as to prevent loss or damage.
- In the event of damage, loss, or theft of the equipment, the student must immediate notify the principal or designee for repair or replacement matters.
- The device is covered by a four-year AppleCare Warranty, which covers two breaks per year, of which, the device would be replaced. More than two breaks per year and the student will be responsible to reimburse the District for the repair cost of the device.
- If the equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged due to the student's intentional act, neglect, or abuse of the equipment, or because of the student's failure to follow Board Policies, District Rules and guidelines, including this agreement, the student will be responsible to reimburse the District for the replacement cost.
- The equipment should be transported in its proper packaging/case and stored carefully so it is not susceptible to damage.
- The equipment should not be left inside a vehicle where temperature extremes can permanently damage the unit and/or its components.
- The equipment should be kept in secure spaces and should not be left visible while not in the user's possession.
- The student will not make any permanent personally identifying marks on the equipment (including stickers, wraps, or address labels).
- The equipment and any other accessories/components will be returned to the proper district authority prior to exiting or transferring out, or at any other time as specifically directed by District authority.
- Use of the equipment is governed by and subject to the rules and conditions contained in the West Jefferson Hills School District Acceptable Use Policy, and other applicable Board Policies, District Rules, and guidelines.
- Any form of extended absences or suspensions longer than 10 days, and the equipment is to be turned in, unless approved by administration.
- All equipment must be returned at the request of the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Students understand and agree that they are responsible to the District for the cost of repair or replacement of a unit that is damaged, lost, or stolen as a result of their intentional act, neglect, or abuse of the equipment because of their failure to follow Board Policies, District Rules and guidelines, including this agreement. The student agrees to the above terms and conditions and agrees to fully cooperate with property loss reporting requirements and with property loss incident investigations.
Software and Hardware
The West Jefferson Hills School District’s technology department works closely with educators during the app and online resource selection process to ensure all student and staff information is kept secure. When certain third-party platforms are used, using personally identifiable information, like a student’s name or their district-issued email address, is necessary.
Those platforms are required by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to provide parental notification and obtain parental consent before collecting that information from children under the age of 13. That law gives school districts the ability to consent to the collection of personal information on behalf of its students. This eliminates the need for individual parental consent.
The link below provides a comprehensive list and access to the privacy policies for apps installed on district-issued devices. Please know that not all apps may be installed on your child’s device as access is determined by grade level. If an app is not featured on this list, it is not supported or managed by the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Staff
- Help Desk/Ticket System
- Technology Staff Directory
- Technology Policies and Procedures
- Software and Hardware Information
- Google Workspace for Education Privacy Notice
Help Desk/Ticket System
Technology Staff Directory
Dr. Jennifer Kassimer, Director of Technology and Innovation, jkassimer@wjhsd.net
Andrew Sanders, Assistant Director of Technology/Network Engineer, asanders@wjhsd.net
Bryan Nigut, Technician, bnigut@wjhsd.net
Doug Bricklemyer, Technician, dbricklemyer@wjhsd.net
Technology Policies and Procedures
Software and Hardware Information
The West Jefferson Hills School District’s technology department works to ensure all student and staff information is kept secure. When certain third-party platforms are used, using personally identifiable information, like name or district-issued email address, is necessary.
The link below provides a comprehensive list and access to the privacy policies for apps installed on district-issued devices. If an app is not featured on this list, it is not supported or managed by the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Google Workspace for Education Privacy Notice
Administration
Dr. Jennifer Kassimer
Director of Technology and Innovation
jkassimer@wjhsd.net
412.655.8450, extension 2227
Andrew Sanders
Assistant Director of Technology, Network Engineer
asanders@wjhsd.net
412.655.8450, extension 6298