Frequently Asked Questions
HP or ACER Chromebook: Log in with the student’s Google account in the format firstname.lastname@bluestreaks.us. Student or teacher will know the password in the format (Capital)First 4 letters of lastname+4 numbers
Apple MacBooks
From Elementary School: Username = aes; Password = 123
From Middle School: Username = ams; Password = blue
From High School: Username = ahs; Password = ahs
iPads do not require a login
You can locate links to student assignments on Archbold’s district webpage. You can also choose Class Pages from the dropdown menu for your particular school on the main webpage. Links may also be available on the left side of some pages.
Clean the keyboards with a disinfectant wipe that is NOT sopping wet -- make sure to wring it out completely! NEVER SPRAY DISINFECTANT CLEANER DIRECTLY ON A KEYBOARD.
Clean the screens with a dry, soft cloth, preferably a micro-fiber cloth that is used for cleaning lenses. To disinfect a screen, use a mixture of half water +half 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray this on a soft cloth and gently wipe the screen. NEVER SPRAY DIRECTLY ON THE SCREEN.
NEVER USE WINDEX, CLOROX WIPES, BLEACH OR AMMONIA to clean a screen. (This includes your TV screen!)
Several companies are providing connection to the Internet on a temporary basis.
Spectrum (if connection is available):
https://www.spectrum.com or call 844-579-3743.
CenturyLink DSL
https://www.centurylink.com or call 855-828-4814
Metalink
https://www.metalink.net or call 888-999-8002
Satellite Internet Providers
Viasat – 855-993-0495
Hughesnet – 855-544-3888
Contact your cell phone provider to see if they have a free upgrade to unlimited data available on a temporary basis. Then you can create a hotspot on your mobile device.
Look for resources available in your area in the WiFi Hotspots section of the Economic Resources for Individuals and Families section of the State's coronavirus website:
Although it is less convenient and the signal may not be as strong, Internet access is available from the parking lot of any school building or the local library.
You may have too many devices connected at the same time. Try alternating connection times or turning off some devices. Remember, newer TVs may be using valuable bandwidth if they are being used as streaming devices.
Your WiFi router may not be equipped to handle the level of speed you are receiving from your Internet provider. If your router was purchased several years ago, upgrading it to a newer version may provide faster speed and a better connection.
We suggest that you create a routine that you can stick with most of the time, which includes all of the responsibilities that need attention.
Set aside two to three hours during the school day when your students can do their school work. At the beginning of their school time, sit down with them and help them find and organize all of the information that they will need to use for that day. If you have more than one student and a slow Internet connection, schedule their online work for separate time slots to avoid frustration.
If you are also working from home, it is helpful to find a time separate from the time your students are doing school work to do your own work. When your students have questions it may be less frustrating to have your housework interrupted than to have your work responsibilities interrupted.
Make sure to include some physical exercise, outside if weather permits, included in your routine for everyone in your home. It will go a long way in protecting your mental and physical health!
Having a routine at home may be new to you, and may sound like an unachievable goal. However, finding momentum in this non-structured time is not easy, and establishing a routine will help you gain some traction in moving forward. It is well worth the thought and effort to make your time at home a good experience for you and your family!
Microphone or Speaker doesn't work during a Zoom meeting
MacBook Air
At the bottom of the window, click the arrow beside the Mute/Unmute button. Make sure Built-In Microphone (Internal Microphone) is selected for the microphone. Make sure Built-In Output (Internal Speakers) is selected for the speakers.
Chromebook
At the bottom of the window, click the arrow beside the Mute/Unmute button. Make sure Internal Mic is selected for the microphone. Make sure Same as System (Default - Speaker) is selected for the speaker.
Click on the gear at the top right of the Zoom window to open Settings. Select the Audio setting and check the box for “Automatically adjust microphone volume”. Make sure the input and output volume are turned up.
Camera doesn't work during a Zoom meeting
MacBook Air
At the bottom of the window, click on the arrow beside the Start/Stop Video button. Make sure Facetime HD Camera (Built-in) is selected.
Chromebook
At the bottom of the window, click on the arrow beside the Start/Stop Video button. Make sure HD WebCam is selected.
The default setting for camera and microphone are “ask before accessing” so you may have missed the question that pops up at the top to ALLOW camera and microphone. For the next Zoom meeting link you receive, click ALLOW. You shouldn’t get that message for other meetings then.
In the upper part of a Chrome browser window to the left of the Star you will see a little camera icon with a lock symbol on it. Click on the “Always allow Zoom to access your camera and microphone”. Make sure the correct microphone and camera are selected and click Done.
If all else fails, clear the cache on your device. (See next item for directions.)
Firefox Browser
Click on Firefox in the menu and choose Preferences.
Click on Privacy and Security on the left.
Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section.
Click on Clear Data.
Make sure both "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cached Web Content" is checked.
Click Clear.
Scroll down to History and choose Clear History….
Make sure Cache is checked and click Clear Now
Chrome Browser or Chromebook
Click the 3 dots in upper right and choose Settings
Click Privacy and Security on left
Click arrow to right of Clear browsing data
Set Time Range to be "All Time"
Check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files".
Click "Clear data".
Quit the Chrome browser and reopen it.
Safari on Computer
Click Safari in menu and select Preferences
Click on Advanced icon
Check “Show Develop in menu bar”
Click on Develop in menu bar and choose Empty Caches
Safari on iPhone
Settings
Scroll down and tap on Safari
Scroll down and find Clear History and Website Data
Make sure the charger is pushed all the way in. If it is plugged into an outlet that is controlled by a light switch, make sure the switch is on. If you still can't get it to work, contact the principal of your school to make an appointment to swap it with another one.
If you have a general question about the function of your device, please contact the technology director lbrader@archboldschools.org.
If your device has been damaged, please let the technology director know what happened and then contact the principal of your school to make arrangements to come to the school and swap your damaged device with a working one.
Zoom remembers the last name that was entered. The next time you open a meeting link, you need to temporarily leave the meeting. You should go back to a screen with “Join a meeting” at the top. Click on “Join a meeting”. Click on the arrow to the right of the Meeting ID and choose the meeting you just left. Make sure you enter your name correctly this time.