Computer Login Basics
In order to use a school computer, you must enter your username and password, known as your Active Directory credentials.
For students, your username is your student number. You will create your own unique password each year beginning in 4th Grade. Students in Grades K-3 can learn their password from their teacher or school technology specialist.
Example:
username: 9876543
password: xxxxxxxx
For staff, your username is usually your first initial and your last name, all lowercase. Some staff usernames also include a middle initial or a numeric digit at the end of the username if you have a name similar to another user already in the system. This username is automatically generated when an employee is hired and cannot be changed. You will need to set a new password every 6 months.
Example:
username: klduckworth
password: xxxxxxxx
If you are a new student or staff member, your school technology specialist or library media educational technology specialist can help you find out your username and log in for the first time to set your password. You can also contact the Information Systems Help Desk at 385-646-4524 or helpdesk@graniteschools.org for assistance logging in for the first time or for emergency resets of your password, especially during summer.
Password Standards
For staff users or for students grades four and higher, the AD password needs to be at least seven characters long. It cannot contain three or more consecutive characters from the user’s first or last name. You cannot reuse old passwords. Passwords must include three out of the following four requirements:
- an upper case letter
- a lower case letter
- a number
- a special symbol (For example: !, $, #, or %)
Staff members are required to change their AD password every 6 months. You can change your password in one of several ways:
- When logged in on a school Windows computer, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the keyboard and choose “Change a password” from the blue screen that pops up.
- From home or any device, log in to the district Portal at http://portal.graniteschools.org and choose “Change Password” from the Account menu.
- A small lock icon will appear in the system tray of your district computer (bottom right corner of the screen.) You can click on it to see how many days are remaining until you will need to change your password. Beginning 14 days before your password expires, a notification will start popping up to remind you how many days you have left until your password expires. You can click on the notification at any time to change your password.
The following password guidelines come from the “System Security” section of the Granite School District Employee Computer User Agreement that employees are required to read and endorse annually.
System Security
a. Employees are responsible for the security of their computer equipment, files and passwords.
b. Employees shall promptly notify the District of security problems.
c. Employees with access to student records may not use, release, or share these records except as authorized by Federal and State law.
d. Students may not have access to computer equipment other than workstations.
e. Staff will not leave their workstations unattended while logged into the network.
f. Passwords are to be protected and not shared with anyone. This includes students who are teacher aides.
Page content created by district technology specialists Cherie Anderson, Heidi Meenen, and Josh Whiting.
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