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Reddit’s r_k12sysadmin Credits: @r_channels @reddit2telegram
G Calendar, odd events added
Anyone else seeing random “bitcoin” events being added to users calendars?
In google admin we set the invites to only add to the calendar “when i respond to the invitation in email” a few days ago but as of today there are more events added.
Any ideas?
https://redd.it/1ndkjdz
@r_k12sysadmin
Frontrow Unity AV System Questions
My district has been looking into replacement AV systems, and out of all our options, we have been leaning towards Frontrow's Unity system. Now we currently have an old system of theirs and we had alot of issues with it so we are a little aprehensive about working with them again, but it's the only system that seems to cover all our needs. The price is quite a gutpunch for my small district, and so we have been wanting to find out if there were any negative experiences, but I've been having a hard time finding any real reviews. It seems to cover all of our pain points: Not IR, has Bluetooth, replaces our problematic intercom, and addresses some other issues.
Does anyone here have any experience with their system? Any positives or negatives with your experiences? Any pain points that would be helpful to know?
https://redd.it/1ndkl2u
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Passkeys - Disable for students
All of a sudden, a few students are having trouble logging into SSO things like Adobe, etc because Google decided to automatically add the students phone as a passkey device. (I assume this was because the student logged into their school email from their phone and it just added it as a passkey device to their account).
Does anyone know how to prevent passkeys from accounts?
I only see a solution on how to "Restrict Passkeys to hardware security keys (beta)" but we want them to not even be an option at all.
What makes it worse is we now have a phone/device ban in place and Im afraid that students will figure out that they can get this setup and say "We need our device for 2-step-Verification".
https://redd.it/1ndgd9j
@r_k12sysadmin
Adobe Google Sync
After updating domain names in Adobe cloud, I see my google sync setup hasn't worked since around august. Is anyone else using this feature? is your sync working? Support guy in the chat said it doesn't work for anyone at the moment which I have a hard time believing since it stopped working right around the domain name change timeframe. Thanks!
https://redd.it/1nde10g
@r_k12sysadmin
Document Cameras
Good Morning,
Despite every room having an interactive display. Physical connection for touch feedback to teacher devices. Apple TV's for when they want to connect wirelessly, we are experiencing a high volume of requests for document cameras. I was mind blown when I saw that what essentially amounts to a camera on a stick cost $250 and up. It seems this is a case of a device which has a business only application, so the cost has never come down relative to other cameras. This is more of a rant then a question, but feel free to chime in with cheap solutions.
Have a great day and may your ticket buckets remain empty!
https://redd.it/1ndb3rm
@r_k12sysadmin
Recommendations for 3rd grade spelling programs
Looking for 3rd grade spelling program recommendations. Preferably free. The teacher wants something for her kids to practice their words.
https://redd.it/1ncvjmg
@r_k12sysadmin
Windows Key Shortcuts Blocked
I'm running into a strange issue after updating from Win 10 to 11 over the summer, at least I assume it happened then.
Our students cannot access most keyboard shortcuts involving the Windows key. It started with a teacher request to give them access to the emoji panel (Win+. or ;) but then I learned opening File Explorer (+E) or Clipboard History (+V) doesn't work either. The Accessibility menu within Settings will open (+U), so it's not everything. Meanwhile, admin and staff accounts have no problem with any shortcuts.
I've tried many things, including updating the BIOS; toggling off Windows Game Mode; checking GPO for "Turn off Windows Key hotkeys" and examining various keys in the Registry. I can also confirm this happens on multiple makes/models of computer with some having an existing Win 10 image updated and others getting a fresh Win 11 image.
Am I missing something simple?
https://redd.it/1ncorzh
@r_k12sysadmin
Stuck sign ins with Google using Entra 3rd party IDP
Has anyone run into this issue:
On a shared device there is a user already logged in via third party IDP - user attempts to add a second account from the org, also logging in via third party IDP. The login attempt seems to fail and it logs the first user back in, possibly due to grabbing the old token?
The user has attempted to log out of account 1 and log back in via account 2 credentials, but it grabs the old token and only "successfully logs in" using account 1.
In this case it was issues with Google classroom but we had a similar issue with Canva and shared ipads with students.
Is this something that requires any specific changes on our end in GAC?
Our google environment has accounts linked to our Microsoft side via SSO with third party IDP (SAML).
https://redd.it/1nckb5m
@r_k12sysadmin
NWEA issues ?
Anyone else having MAP testing issues this morning with slow loading, etc? They are trying to blame my WiFi (shocker) while everything else is functioning well.
https://redd.it/1ncjfq0
@r_k12sysadmin
10th -en iPads and Apple Classroom
Any Apple Classroom admins out there? We started 1:1 iPad program in 5th and 6th grades this year and noticed that Apple Classroom frequently shows student iPads as offline after they've been taken home and then reconnected to the school wifi the next morning. A reboot of the student iPad, and sometimes the teacher iPad, usually fixes it. Has anyone run into this before? Having to reboot everyday is not a great experience for anyone. Our student iPads are the latest 10th-gen base model.
https://redd.it/1nchljb
@r_k12sysadmin
Lightspeed
Does anyone use Lightspeed and their Smartplay feature? We are using iPads and you can't play embedded YouTube videos in Canvas or Ed puzzle, is this the same for others.
https://redd.it/1nbz9pe
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Chat for Students
Hi all I need your guy's opinion on something,
I recently got a request from a teacher to turn on Google Chat for Students so she can make a space for her class and communicate on there faster than email for when students are out sick etc. We've had Chat turned off since Hangouts was distracting when students found out about it. How do you guys have this setup? Is Chat on for your students? Please let me know why the choice is on or off. Thank you so much! :)
https://redd.it/1nbynjg
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Meet Down?
Trying to start a meeting and Google Meet just is sitting at the loading screen. Anyone else seeing this?
https://redd.it/1nbuldx
@r_k12sysadmin
Viewsonic IFP7550-3 with ViewSonic Chromebox keeps losing video and touch
This happens with both the ViewSonic chromeboxes and Acer chromeboxes that we have. Usually this happens first thing in the morning. Plugging and unplugging and restarting the chromebox will eventually fix it. I'm getting tickets now saying it's happening in the middle of being used.
Updated to chromeOS 138 and the viewboard is up to date on firmware. I've tried new cables and can't figure out what's going on. Any thoughts?
https://redd.it/1nbp4wf
@r_k12sysadmin
Office 365 or Google Workspace or BOTH?
https://k12techtalkpodcast.com/e/episode-230-from-cruise-ships-to-chromebooks/ and all major podcast platforms
We talk about the challenges of managing both Office 365 and Google Workspace within the same school district.
https://redd.it/1n9nsd6
@r_k12sysadmin
Email Gateways?
We're in the market for an email gateway and were curious what all products systems are using? We explored going with Sophos's gateway, however we are largely moving away from Sophos for MDR, and instead utilizing Jamf Protect as we are mostly an Apple fleet.
ChatGPT suggests Proofpoint, although I've never heard of it. Some info that may be useful to know is that we are a strictly Google Workspace system. Though much better than when I started, I'm not a super technical CTO, as I came from the instructional side of the system. Because there is only one of me, whatever system needs to be largely set it and forget it. Ideally, we would be able to set this up so that staff would receive a message when an email has been quarantined, or not delivered, but they could click and go and see if it was legit or not. In other words, I need it to be largely hands off after setting it up and adjusting for users as we add staff members.
What all is everyone using to accomplish your goals with regards to tightening email security?
https://redd.it/1ndla4g
@r_k12sysadmin
FastBridge Network Issues
FYI:
If you are having issues or getting network errors while students are using FastBridge this morning, Renaissance is aware and their engineers are working on the problem. The status page (https://status.renaissance.com/) is still not showing anything.
https://redd.it/1nditrk
@r_k12sysadmin
Enable camera for Clever login
Good morning admins!
I have a whole mess of HP Chromebook 11 G6 EEs that say I need to enable the camera for Clever badge login. The camera is 100% enabled and all of these are in the same Google OU that other models are in, and those do not have an issue.
It’s only this model, which was part of that weird period where Google extended the period of time in which they’d be supported, and I have opted in to continued support, and updated them, but still won’t recognize the camera.
I have replaced the camera and the cable in a few, and still no luck. It’s also not happening to all Chromebooks of this model. A lot, which are also in the same OU, have been updated and the camera works great.
Any thoughts? I’m at a loss and want to avoid trashing dozens of CBs that work otherwise. TIA.
https://redd.it/1nddv3k
@r_k12sysadmin
Windows 10 countdown
How's everyone feeling about the Windows 10 EOL count down for October 14th
Our IT managers gave us a list of the stuff that needs to be removed/replaced and were sitting at 1600 items that have 7th Gen or lower.
One of my schools has 150 windows 10 only items with about 38 windows 11 and the school can't afford replacements
https://redd.it/1ndb076
@r_k12sysadmin
Attendance and Dismissal Systems
Hello you absolute legends!
I hope the year is off to a good start for everyone. Please remember to take care of yourselves while balancing the workload. I should take my own advice.
At my Elementary and Middle School, we dismiss nearly 1,000 students all at once. Students fall into four categories: walkers, parent pick-up, carpool, and bus riders. Our administration has asked me to explore a modern, technical solution to streamline this process.
Our goal is to track every student in real time—who is present, who is absent, and where they are in the dismissal process. We’d like to check each child into their bus or carpool, and also record departures for walkers and parent pick-ups. Ideally, this system would integrate directly with ParentLocker, our SIS.
My current thinking is to use RFID technology with long-range scanners and handheld devices for buses and carpools.
Does anyone know of a system that meets these criteria, or has experience implementing something similar? Can anyone recommend a product or consultant?
Thank you for taking the time!
https://redd.it/1nczxks
@r_k12sysadmin
Microsoft sign in on Chromebook
Maybe I didn't notice it last year, but this year it seems whenever a user signs into a Microsoft product in the browser on a Chromebook, when they close the browser, they're signed out of MS. ignoring our 90 day remember me policy. This then requires them to log back in and provide MFA.
Tons of my teachers are complaining this year, so I'm going to assume it worked fine last year.
Anyone else?
We're not using SSO.
https://redd.it/1ncs80b
@r_k12sysadmin
Fixing Verkada's Marketing
https://redd.it/1ncnsd9
@r_k12sysadmin
Lenovo Chromebook Duet question
We went with the Duets as tablets for our KG class. Enrolling them, and they're giving me a low space warning. They're supposed to be 64GB, but the internal storage is 3-5 GB, and they aren't registering any external storage. Any ideas?
https://redd.it/1ncke4z
@r_k12sysadmin
TX HB3512
Just wondering if anyone has any insight on this HB. Here is the important part within the first section 1. This HB came into effect 1SEP2025.
"Notwithstanding Section 2054.5191, Government Code,
only the district's cybersecurity coordinator is required to
complete the cybersecurity training and the artificial
intelligence training under that section on an annual basis."
What and who are yall using for the trainings?
https://redd.it/1ncircd
@r_k12sysadmin
Autodesk NLM file
Our AutoCAD and Revit licensing is handled by Network License Management (NLM.) The license expired recently, so I reviewed it. But now I can't figure out how to download the file from the Autodesk website in order to load it into NLM. Autodesk's tech support is worse than useless, because all they do is make me wait and then send links to articles I've already read and that don't answer the question I asked them.
Do any of you know how to download the new license file?
https://redd.it/1ncf52d
@r_k12sysadmin
Iboss gen2
Anyone else using iboss gen2 connector on Chromebooks? I feel like I’m constantly fighting with performance issues just curious how it’s going for others.
https://redd.it/1nbzqtk
@r_k12sysadmin
Gemini side panel not included with Education licensing
We have Gemini enabled for all Faculty and Staff. However, the Gemini icon does not appear in any of the Google Workspace apps including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc. The Gemini app does appear in the apps grid though.
I just reached out to Google Support and was told that the Gemini side-panel, or add-on, in the workspace apps is not included for education customers.
This doesn't sound right. Can anyone confirm?
https://redd.it/1nbvvc1
@r_k12sysadmin
WiFi Network Setup
We recently replaced our old Ruckus equipment with Aruba.
Current SSIDs
IoT - WPA2 PSK - Used for thermostats, printers, misc other non-web browsing devices.
BYOD - RADIUS Auth based on AD credentials, filtering to specific VLANS based on user group membership - personal cell phones mostly. RADIUS auth is handled by a local MS NPS server.
Guest - Captive Portal
Private - WPA2 PSK - Promethean boards, district Chromebooks, district laprops
Our password for the Private network has leaked, I suspect due to the fact that the Prometheans will show the password in clear text via the network menu. This is not necessarily a huge filtering issue, as the devices still get filtered under a student profile if they cannot be identified. It is however, quite a security issue. I've noticed that during after hour events, I see over 200 cell phones attached to the Private network and I suspect a large number of them are neither student nor staff devices, but visitors who the password has been shared with. What is the best course of action to keep these unknown devices off of the Private network?
https://redd.it/1nboiko
@r_k12sysadmin
Raptor
Anyone that uses Raptor: is it just plain slow to scan IDs and print name labels? I’ve worked with their support multiple times and it’s always “it’s your network. It’s your computer. Reinstall it.” No real results. I’ve tried multiple machines, different Internet connections. Nothing seems to make a difference. It just seems like it takes a long time for the website to read the IDs and even longer for it to send the label to the printer.
https://redd.it/1nbkurj
@r_k12sysadmin
Security Watch 9/5/25
On K12TechPro, we've launched a weekly cyber threat intelligence and vulnerability newsletter with NTP and K12TechPro. We'll post the "public" news to k12sysadmin from each newsletter. For the full "k12 techs only" portion (no middle schoolers, bad guys, vendors, etc. allowed), log into k12techpro.com and visit the Cybersecurity Hub.
Google has moved to reduce risks associated with sideloading on Android devices. Security experts welcome the change, but critics argue it gives Google excessive control and could restrict innovation. This tension reflects the broader challenge of striking a balance between user freedom and systemic protection.
A recent WhatsApp flaw allowed remote code execution through maliciously crafted messages, requiring no user interaction. Such zero-click vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they bypass everyday cautionary practices, underscoring the need for constant vigilance, even with trusted applications.
Reports falsely claimed that Google had forced all Gmail users to reset their passwords after a massive breach. Attackers capitalized on the confusion email campaigns impersonating Google support. Though Gmail’s protections remain strong, the incident shows how fear and uncertainty can be manipulated just as effectively as software vulnerabilities.
https://redd.it/1n9mbfq
@r_k12sysadmin