Stafford Learns

Preparing students for college and career

Stafford MSD has a mission to ensure that all students graduate college and career ready without remediation. Part of accomplishing this mission is to create rich, engaging learning experiences that foster the 21st century skills students need to compete in today's society. Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and digital citizenship are becoming more and more essential as we move toward an ever growing digital world.

We would like to ensure that students have access to learning anytime, anyplace through various online platforms. We also want to equip parents, students, and educators with helpful resources that can be utilized from school or home to give students access to engaging content and ensure that learning is ongoing. Following are resources for parents, students, and educators. Click the heading to reveal more information.

Please check this site periodically for updates as we continue to build resources.

Stafford Technology Resources

SMSD Approved Asynchronous Plan

At Stafford MSD we believe in equipping parents, students, and teachers with the tools they need to be successful. Our district personnel have worked extremely hard to develop asynchronous plans that we feel will best serve our students and their families.

Please click the link below to view our asynchronous plan that has recently been approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

SMSD Approved Asynchronous Plan

Daily Schedules for Virtual Instruction

We have created virtual schedules for all student to follow during this period of online instruction. Please click on the appropriate grade level button to view your child's daily virtual schedule. Note that the Early Childhood Schedule is coming soon and will be updated as soon as it is released.

Expectations for Online Learning

You've heard the saying "It takes a village to raise a child". That has never been more true than in the unprecedented times we find ourselves living in today. We all have to be invested in the success of our children and assist them with this new way of learning. We have developed expectations for all stakeholders involved in online teaching and learning, which are outlined below:

Student Expectations

Attend classes according to your daily/class schedule.
Please make sure that your device for class is fully charged each day.
Log in 10 minutes before the start of class.
Be prepared with all necessary materials each day and have your headphones on.
Your camera must remain on during class times.
Dress according to the appropriate dress code for your campus.
Complete coursework by the deadline specified by your teacher.
Actively participate in synchronous learning activities under the direction of your teacher.
Your microphone must be off unless specifically instructed by teacher.
Reduce the noise in your background such as other individual talking, television or music.
Use good manners such as waiting for the appropriate time to speak.
Be respectful to your classmates.
If you need to step away from the camera, send a message in the chat.
When you have a question, raise your hand, use the hand raise feature in the application, or ask your question in the chat.

Parent Expectations

Access parent resources through the Stafford Learns website to learn about online learning platforms, including login information.
Encourage your student(s) to be prepared and join live virtual sessions at the scheduled time.
Have your student(s) test their credentials by signing into their designated learning platform with their username and password.
Get to know your student(s) online learning platform.
Create a learning space for your student(s) that minimizes distraction and noise.
Place all usernames and passwords in a visible location for easy access.
Create a visual of your student(s) daily schedule and display it in their workspace.
Make sure that your student(s) have all their necessary materials (e.g., textbooks, writing tools, notebooks, etc.).
Ensure students log in at least 10 min. before the start of each class period for attendance purposes.
Maintain breaks and snack times throughout the day.
Check in with student(s) to monitor completion of homework and other assignments.
Sign into the Ascender Parent Portal to check student grades.
Stay in communication with your student’s teachers.

Teacher Expectations

Review procedures for accessing assignments and checking progress on Open LMS with students.
Provide clear learning objectives and instructions for students.
Provide live, synchronous instruction at the designated times outlined in the schedule.
Post daily asynchronous materials and assignments for students to complete that will take the remainder of each class period.
Post links to the recorded synchronous instruction so that student can access that resource later.
Provide feedback to student inquiries within one business day.
Provide meaningful feedback on student work using clear and concise language.
Adhere to district grading policy and post grades in a timely manner.
All normal operating instructional requirements remain (lesson planning and submission, delivery, grading)

ClassLink

Open LMS (Blackboard)

Open LMS (formerly Blackboard) is Stafford's Learning Management System. A learning management system is an online environment that teachers and students can use as a hub for learning, communicating, and collaborating. Open LMS allows teachers to add rich, engaging content that students can access from any device, as long as there is an internet connection. Students can use Open LMS to complete assignments, quizzes, and other interactive activities that teachers have added to ensure mastery of various topics. Teachers can see student progress and grades through reporting tools.

Students will access Open LMS (Blackboard) by first logging into Classlink. Login credentials for Classlink are as follows:

Username: first initial + last name + last three digits of id number (i.e. jsmith456)

Password: Computer Password

Once logged into Classlink, students will select the Open LMS app and log in with the following credentials. (Please note that students will only have to log into this application once and they will stay logged in. Please do not save passwords to Google Chrome as this interferes with Classlink's functionality.)

Username: username@student.staffordmsd.org (i.e. jsmith456@student.staffordmsd.org)

Password: Computer Password

Open LMS Student Instructions

Open LMS Student Instructions_Espanol

Seesaw

Seesaw will be used this year for our Early Childhood (PK3-K) and 1st Grade students as their asynchronous learning platform. Students will be able to login through our single sign-on system, Classlink.

Classlink log in credentials are as follows:

Username: first initial + last name + last three digits of ID#

Password: Computer password

Seesaw Parent-Student Quick Guide

Office 365

Office 365 is an integrated experience of Microsoft apps and services that allow institutions to organize, communicate, and collaborate. Office 365 offers a myriad of apps including, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneDrive, OneNote, Sway, and Stream. Office 365 will also allow users to download the entire Office Suite, on up to five machines, for as long as they are a part of the organization!

To access Office 365 go through ClassLink or go straight to the Office 365 Portal.

Student Email: username@student.staffordmsd.org (i.e. jsmith456@student.staffordmsd.org)

Password: Computer Password

Student-Parent Tech Access Handout

Technology Procedures and Support

FAQs and Common Issues

How do I log into ClassLink?

Refer to the section titled 'ClassLink' above or from the Student section of the website.

How do I log into Blackboard?

Refer to the section titled 'Blackboard' above or from the Student section of the website.

What if I'm a student and forgot my password?

First, make sure that you are entering your username correctly, according to the instructions given for ClassLink, Blackboard, and Office 365. Passwords were all reset at the start of the 2020-21 school year. Additionally, make sure you are entering the same password you use to log into the computer at school.

What if I'm a teacher and my password expired?

If you are a teacher and your password has expired or needs to be reset, please contact the desktop support specialist for your campus to have it reset. You will receive your new password via email.

PS, ES, IS - Eddie (Eriberto) Garcia
MS - Cosme Garcia
HS - Jody Nusom

What if I do not see my classes in Blackboard?

If you log into Blackboard and do not see classes, please email one of your teachers.

What if Study Island ask for a username and password?

Study Island is integrated with ClassLink and, when accessed this way, it should log students and teachers into the application without having to enter additional information. If Study Island prompts you for additional information, close the application and close ClassLink, then restart both. If that doesn't work, email your teacher concerning the issue.

Re-Entry Plans

The safety and security of our students is always our number one priority here in Stafford MSD. Our wonderful team has worked diligently to develop plans for our re-entry in the Fall to ensure that students are safe and receive a high-quality education.

Learn More

Parent Resources

Parents and guardians have a responsibility to support students in their learning at school and home. Use the resources provided to assist your child in being successful.

Learn More

Student Resources

Stafford students are responsible for actively participating in various educational activities and taking ownership of their learning.

Learn More

Teacher Resources

Stafford educators are responsible for maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment to assist in our district vision of preparing students for college and career.

Learn More

commonly

Stafford Learns

Stafford Technology Resources

SMSD Approved Asynchronous Plan

Daily Schedules for Virtual Instruction

Expectations for Online Learning

ClassLink

Open LMS (Blackboard)

Seesaw

Office 365

Technology Procedures and Support

FAQs and Common Issues

Re-Entry Plans

Parent Resources

Student Resources

Teacher Resources

Announcements