Technology Department

Looking for internet access resources?

Request a Hotspot

For families who may have limited internet access, TCAPS has a limited number of Verizon Orbic Speed Hotspots that can be checked out during remote learning. The hotspots are only as good as the cell coverage provided in a given area.

• Check coverage in your area and/or request a hotspot.

Additional internet access resources available:
 

• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
• Public WiFi Hotspot Map
• EveryoneOn
• Comcast Internet Essentials (register)
• Access from AT&T
• CenturyLink Internet Basics
• Spectrum Internet Assist

Tech Resources

• Acceptable Use Policy (Student)
• Acceptable Use Policy (Staff)
• Submit a Support Ticket
• Web Permission Form

Scheduled Maintenance

For the computer and network operations to operate at peak efficiency, TCAPS’ technical team needs to perform regular maintenance. Maintenance nights are scheduled for every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month beginning at 6:15 PM. The typical “down” time is 1-2 hours. We strive to have all systems back in normal operations by 7:00 AM Friday mornings. During these times applications may have intermittent availability. Though most applications would only be down for a brief time during the maintenance window, services requiring down time of more than 1 hour will be designated as “extended maintenance.”

The following applications will undergo monthly scheduled maintenance:

• Cloud/Google Apps
• Destiny (Library application)
• Email
• Meal Magic (food service)
• Moodle
• Network
• PowerSchool (PowerSchool Admin, PowerTeacher/Gradebook, Parent Portal)
• Ultra Time
• VersaTrans
• Website (www.tcaps.net)

This webpage serves as TCAPS’ public reminder of scheduled outages.  TCAPS is not responsible for work lost during this outage. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Technology Bids

TCAPS Technology Bids & RFPs

[Additional Services updated 09-15-22]

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) uses G Suite for Education, a set of education productivity tools from Google used by tens of millions of students and teachers around the world. TCAPS students use their G Suite accounts to complete assignments, communicate with their teachers, sign into their Chromebooks, and learn 21st century digital citizenship skills. TCAPS student accounts may access and use the following “Core Services” offered by Google: Gmail, Calendar, Classroom, Cloud Search, Contacts, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drive, Groups, Google Meet, Jamboard, Keep, and Sites. Students may also have access to the following “Additional Services”: Google My Maps, Google Earth, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Takeout (HS only), CS First, Google Books, Blogger (HS only), Google Arts & Culture, Google News, Google Translate, and Chrome Web Store (for approved Apps/Extensions only).

When creating a student account, TCAPS may provide Google with certain personal information about the student, including, for example, a name, email address, and password. Google may also collect personal information directly from students, such as telephone numbers for account recovery or a profile photo added to the G Suite for Education account.

When a student uses Google services, Google also collects information based on the use of those services. This includes: device information, such as the hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including phone number; log information, including details of how a user used Google services, device event information, and the user's Internet protocol (IP) address; location information, as determined by various technologies including IP address, GPS, and other sensors; unique application numbers, such as application version number; and cookies or similar technologies which are used to collect and store information about a browser or device, such as preferred language and other settings. For more information about how Google uses student information, visit: www.tcaps.net/about/departments/technology. 

A parent or legal guardian has the ability to opt-out of their student’s personal information being shared with Google with written notification to the student’s school administrators within the first thirty (30) days of the school year. A student who is at least age eighteen (18) or is an emancipated minor may act on his/her own behalf with respect to the opt-out. If a student is opted-out, the district will not create a G Suite for Education account and Google will not collect or use the student’s information as described in this notice. 

A parent or legal guardian can access or request deletion of his/her child’s G Suite for Education account at any time by contacting TCAPS’ technology department at tech-info@tcaps.net. To stop any further collection or use of your child's information, you can request the use of the service controls available to limit your child’s access to features or services, or delete your child’s account entirely. You and your child can also visit  https://myaccount.google.com while signed in to the G Suite for Education account to view and manage the personal information and settings of the account.

Click here to view all district annual notifications.

What Google G Suite Services Are Accessible by TCAPS Students?

[Additional Services updated 09-15-22]

• Using their G Suite for Education accounts, students may access and use the following “Core Services” offered by Google: 
  • Gmail
  • Calendar
  • Classroom
  • Cloud Search
  • Contacts
  • Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms
  • Drive
  • Groups
  • Google Meet
  • Jamboard
  • Keep
  • Sites
• In addition, TCAPS also allows students to access certain other Google services with their G Suite for Education accounts. Specifically, your child may have access to the following “Additional Services”:
  • Google My Maps
  • Google Earth
  • Google Maps
  • YouTube
  • Google Takeout (HS only)
  • CS First
  • Google Books
  • Blogger (HS only)
  • Google Arts & Culture
  • Google News
  • Google Translate
  • Chrome Web Store (for approved Apps/Extensions only)

What Personal Information Does Google Collect?

• When creating a student account, TCAPS may provide Google with certain personal information about the student, including, for example, a name, email address, and password. Google may also collect personal information directly from students, such as telephone number for account recovery or a profile photo added to the G Suite for Education account.
   
• When a student uses Google services, Google also collects information based on the use of those services. This includes:
  • device information, such as the hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including phone number;
  • log information, including details of how a user used Google services, device event information, and the user's Internet protocol (IP) address;
  • location information, as determined by various technologies including IP address, GPS, and other sensors;
  • unique application numbers, such as application version number;
  • and cookies or similar technologies which are used to collect and store information about a browser or device, such as preferred language and other settings.
• Google provides information about the information it collects, as well as how it uses and discloses the information it collects from G Suite for Education accounts in its G Suite for Education Privacy Notice. 

How Does Google Use This Information?

[Additional Services updated 02-16-21]

• In G Suite for Education Core Services, Google uses student personal information to provide, maintain, and protect the services. Google does not serve ads in the Core Services or use personal information collected in the Core Services for advertising purposes.
   
• In Google Additional Services, Google uses the information collected from all Additional Services to provide, maintain, protect and improve them, to develop new ones, and to protect Google and its users. Google may also use this information to offer tailored content, such as more relevant search results. Google may combine personal information from one service with information, including personal information, from other Google services.
   
• TCAPS students may have access to the following Additional Services:
  • Google My Maps
  • Google Earth
  • Google Maps
  • YouTube
  • Google Takeout (HS only)
  • CS First
  • Google Books
  • Blogger (HS only)
  • Chrome Web Store (for approved Apps/Extensions only)

Does Google Use Student Personal Information for Users in K-12 Schools to Target Advertising?

• No. For G Suite for Education users in primary and secondary (K-12) schools, Google does not use any user personal information (or any information associated with a G Suite for Education Account) to target ads, whether in Core Services or in other Additional Services accessed while using a G Suite for Education account.

Can My Child Share Information with Others Using the G Suite for Education Account?

• TCAPS may allow students to access Google services such as Google Docs and Sites, which include features where users can share information with others or publicly. When users share information publicly, it may be indexable by search engines, including Google.

Will Google Disclose My Child’s Personal Information?

Google will not share personal information with companies, organizations and individuals outside of Google unless one of the following circumstances applies:

• With parental or guardian consent (automatic absent the opt out) Google will share personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Google when it has parents’ consent (for users below the age of consent), which may be obtained through G Suite for Education schools. 
   
• With TCAPS. G Suite for Education accounts, because they are school-managed accounts, give administrators access to information stored in them.
   
• For external processing. Google may provide personal information to affiliates or other trusted businesses or persons to process it for Google, based on Google’s instructions and in compliance with the G Suite for Education privacy notice and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.
   
• For legal reasons. Google will share personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Google if it has a good-faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of the information is reasonably necessary to:
  • meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.
  • enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations.
  • detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues.
  • protect against harm to the rights, property or safety of Google, Google users or the public as required or permitted by law.

Google also shares non-personal information -- such as trends about the use of its services -- publicly and with its partners.

What Choices Do I Have as a Parent or Guardian?

• If you opt your child out, TCAPS will not create a G Suite for Education account for your child, and Google will not collect or use your child’s information as described in this notice. 
   
• If you consent (automatically given if you do not opt out) to your child’s use of G Suite for Education, you can access or request deletion of your child’s G Suite for Education account by contacting the TCAPS technology department at tech-info@tcaps.net. If you wish to stop any further collection or use of your child's information, you can request that TCAPS use the service controls available to limit your child’s access to features or services, or delete your child’s account entirely. You and your child can also visit https://myaccount.google.com while signed in to the G Suite for Education account to view and manage the personal information and settings of the account.

What if I Have More Questions or Would Like to Read Further?

• If you have questions about TCAPS’ use of Google’s G Suite for Education accounts or the choices available to you, please contact Director of Technology, Evan OBranovic, obranoviev@tcaps.net. 
   
•  If you want to learn more about how Google collects, uses, and discloses personal information to provide services to TCAPS, please review the G Suite for Education Privacy Center, the G Suite for Education Privacy Notice, and the Google Privacy Policy.
• The Core G Suite for Education services are provided to TCAPS under Google’s Apps for Education agreement.