Technology Updates

On January 7th, Westbrook Public Schools was notified by PowerSchool that they had been the victim of a data breach.  More information about this breach can be viewed at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/breaches_of_security.  We will post updated information on this page as it becomes available.

Update 1/17/2025:  PowerSchool will contact parents and guardians of current students, former students, current employees, and former employees to offer various forms of credit monitoring and identity theft protection.  We will update this page as information is provided to us by PowerSchool.  Should you have any specific questions regarding the data breach, please email the Director of Technology, Benjamin Russell, by emailing brussell@westbrookctschools.org.

Update 2/5/2025:  PowerSchool is offering two years of complimentary identity protection services to students and educators whose information was involved. For adult students and educators, this offer will also include two years of complimentary credit monitoring services.  More information related to this will be relayed directly from PowerSchool and Experian in the coming weeks.  For more information, please visit https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/notice-of-united-states-data-breach/?mkt_tok=ODYxLVJNSS04NDYAAAGYUw2MUO7s22bXSJItiAlgmEBFVNWalGDtiyq1KO0p-XU50B8eEFDAuCSBFd7LEhIGkHpRwdIMs1g_cSp1oOM2Wnl6DJrVlt3qieCqYOlpB_z_tIk

Update 2/25/2025:  We have received word that PowerSchool and Experian have begun the process of reaching out to affected users.  Please be aware that you may receive a notification from them with information related to the breach and further instructions about signing up for identity protection services.

Update 5/12/2025:  We received notification from PowerSchool that a threat actor has reached out to some PowerSchool SIS customers in an attempt to extort them using data from the previously reported December 2024 incident. PowerSchool does not believe this is a new incident, but wanted customers to be informed, nonetheless.

JuiceMind has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

sportsYou has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

Two new software tools have been approved for student use.  They are listed below, along with links to their privacy policies.  

Snap! Raise - https://www.snapraise.com/disclosures/snap-mobile-privacy-policy/

Boom Cards - https://wow.boomlearning.com/legal

As always, scheduled maintenance and updates and known outages are posted at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/technology_maintenance__scheduled_downtime

N2Y has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

Each year, we are required to report to parents the software that their children may be using.  A list of the current software is available at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.  This list is updated regularly and new additions are also posted on the district and school website.

Quizizz has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

PowerSchool services have been restored.

Wonder Workshop has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

Pixton has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

We will be installing PowerSchool updates over the weekend.  Service may be unavailable at times while the process is completed.  Updates to the status will be posted on our technology maintenance page available at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/technology_maintenance__scheduled_downtime.

Update:  Upgrades have been completed.  Full access to PowerSchool has been restored.

We will be installing PowerSchool updates over the weekend.  Service may be unavailable at times while the process is completed.  Updates to the status will be posted on our technology maintenance page available at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/technology_maintenance__scheduled_downtime.

iCivics has been approved for use in the classroom.  For the most up to date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

We are pleased to announce that we have updated the look of our District Website available at https://www.westbrookctschools.org.  While the design may be different, the content remains the same.  To view the content, simply scroll down the page or use the menu structure which was not modified.

Rosen Digital has been approved for use in the classroom.  For the most up to date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_informationOpens in a new browser tab.

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311