🧹 The 10-Minute Year-End Digital Clean Up

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, energy is low, and to-do lists are long. The good news is you don’t need to spend all day on your computer to get yourself set up digitally for September.   Follow each step below and set yourself up for a smoother school start-up.
10 minutes is all it will take 😆😆😆😆

Thanks to Copilot for helping me with some of the suggestions . . .

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​What to Clean Up on Your Computer​ Before You Log Off for Summer 

⏱️Step 1: Clean Up Your Desktop (2 minutes) 

Take a quick look at your desktop or main working folders. 

  • Delete duplicate or unnecessary files 
  • Move anything important into clearly labeled folders 
  • Rename a few key files so they actually make sense later 

💡 Use Kara’s Tech Tip from last week to create a “working” and “teaching” desktop

📁 Step 2: Reduce Items in Your Downloads Folder (2 minutes) 

Take a quick look at your downloads folder. 

  • Delete duplicate or unnecessary files 
    • Sort by name so you can quickly see duplicate files 
  • Move anything important into the appropriate folder in your OneDrive 
  • Rename a few key files so they make sense later 

💡 You don’t need perfection—just reduce the clutter in this location. 

📥 Step 3: Quick Inbox Reset (2 minutes) 

No need for “Inbox Zero”—just a quick refresh: 

  • Delete or archive obvious old threads 
  • Create a 2025-26 folder to save important emails to visit later 
  • Flag or pin anything important with “action” items > hover over email and click on flag or pin 
  • Unsubscribe from emails you don’t read 

💡 Even a small cleanup can make September feel less overwhelming. 

🔗 Step 4: Fix One Small Frustration (2 minutes) 

Think of one thing this year that made you pause or say, 

“Why is this so hard to find?” 

  • Fix a broken link 
  • Update unclear instructions 
  • Move a resource to a better location 

💡 Small fixes now save repeated frustration later. 

🗂️ Step 5: Create a “Start of Year” Folder (1–2 minutes) 

Make a simple folder for September with: 

  • First-day resources 
  • Welcome materials 
  • Key links or templates 
  • School start-up checklist 

💡 You don’t have to fill it now—just create the space. 

💬 Final Thought 

End-of-year is not the time to do everything—it’s the time to do a few small things that make a big difference later. 

Have an amazing year-end.  🎉✨🌺🌞

/by

Turn Cluttered Screen Chaos into Organized Calm with Windows Magic

If your computer currently has 17 different windows open and you’re playing a game of “Where did I put that document?”, this tip is for you (yes, that’s me too).  I just discovered this icon on my computer and I had to share! 

Windows 11 includes a hidden tool called Virtual Desktops, that lets you create separate workspaces for different tasks. Think of it as having multiple desks in your office: one for email, one for planning, and one for meetings ( and one for working on report cards that you can keep hidden in the background).

How to Create a Virtual Desktop

  1. Click the Task View button on your taskbar (the icon beside Search ), or press Windows + Tab.
  2. Click + New Desktop at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Open different apps and windows on each desktop.
  4. Switch between desktops by pressing Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow or click on the Task View button again and select the Desktop you would like to work in.
Why You’ll Love It

Instead of minimizing and reopening windows all day, you simply switch desktops.

✨ Once you start using Virtual Desktops, you’ll wonder how you ever managed with just one. Just be careful that you don’t think that you lost what you were working on and start again (yes-I did that one).

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​If you have any trouble with this, you have a tech tip ​that you would like to share, or you would like support with technology, please email us. 

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National Accessibility Week and Resources for MyEd Summary of Learning

National Accessibility Week

In honour of National Accessibility Week, we’re highlighting something many people don’t realize:

iPads, iPhones, and Windows devices all include powerful accessibility tools built right into the operating system.

These features can support a wide range of needs—without requiring additional apps or expensive programs.

What’s Available?

Built-in tools can help with reading, writing, vision, hearing, and focus.

Some popular features include:

  • Voice to Text (Dictation) – Speak instead of type
  • High Contrast & Display Settings – Improve visibility and reduce strain
  • Text Size & Formatting – Customize how text appears
  • Screen Readers – Have content read aloud
  • Assistive Touch & Input Supports – Make navigation easier

These tools can be easily customized directly on your device.

Quick Guides

Explore our Learn 71 quick-reference guides to learn more:

Apple (iPad & iPhone)

Windows

Accessibility is about ensuring everyone can access and engage with technology in ways that work for them. These built-in tools are a great place to start—simple, effective, and already available.​

Summary of Learning Resources

“Final report cards” or a Summary of Learning only occurs once a year so often the process to complete this is forgotten.
Use the links below for resources to help you with this process.  There are a set of instructions for:

​If you have any trouble with this, you have a tech tip ​that you would like to share, or you would like support with technology, please email us. 

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