Frequently Asked Questions...
Q ~
Why should I use Family Access?
A ~ Family Access is a web based tool designed to enhance
parent/guardian and school communication. Your use of the Family Access website
is voluntary.
Q ~ Does
Family Access cost money or is there a fee that I have to pay?
A ~ Family Access is provided free as a service of the Lynden
Public Schools.
Q ~
Can other people see my child's personal information on Family Access?
A ~ Family Access is password protected. As long as you keep
your password safe it is highly unlikely that anyone else will be able to
access or view your child's personal information.
Q ~
Does Family Access create a lot of extra work for school staff?
A ~ Family Access does create some extra work, but not as
much as you might think. In a nutshell, everything school staff do is now
done in "real time". We have always taken attendance, but now absences
and tardies show up on Family Access almost as soon as the data inputted.
When our secondary report cards are on line, the same data that was used before
(and the same processes that were used before) will generate instant results.
In many ways, there is no "new" work, just "different"
work.
Q ~ I
can't get Family Access to work on my computer; what should I do?
A ~ Family Access is a web based product, so it should work
on your computer like any other web based application, such as Netscape or
Internet Explorer. First, you should check to make sure you have the right
Family Access web site address, or URL. You can access the Family Access web
portal from Lynden Middle School "school page" at:
< http://www.lynden.wednet.edu/lms > or from < http://family.lynden.wa-k12.net >.
Occasionally, the Family Access web server may be down for maintenance. This will usually take place after 9:00 p.m. on Friday night until 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. If you get an error message, please try again as needed.
Q ~ When
I log on to Family Access, I lose my connection after three to five minutes.
Why?
A ~ Family Access has a default security setting that will
terminate your connection if your computer is idle for longer than three to
five minutes. This feature is designed to protect against unauthorized access
and can not be changed.
Q ~
Are all of Lynden's schools on Family Access?
A ~ Right now just Lynden Middle School and Lynden High School
provides Family Access as a service to parents and guardians.
Q ~
I have forgotten my user name and/or lost my password, what should I do?
A ~ To ensure security and confidentiality, please call Lynden
Middle School office 354-2952. You will be issued a new password, which you
will need to pick up in person at your child's school. Your user name will
stay the same, and you will receive both a new password and a reminder of
your user name from your child's school.
Q ~
With all the talk about Internet safety and security, how do I know Family
Access is safe?
A ~ Family Access uses Secured Socket Layer (SSL) encryption
as the security layer for data presented on the Web. This is the same encryption
system used by sites that accept credit card numbers and other personal data
that must be secure. The District's Family Access Administrator is responsible
for setting security and access to student records, as determined by District
procedure. Each individual, whether student, parent, or staff member, must
be given a user name and password and be designated as a member of a household
linked to a student in order to view Family Access information.
Q ~
What student records are displayed in Family Access, and how long are they
kept?
A ~ Lynden Middle School displays the following student information
in Family Access. The length of time records are retained is shown in parenthesis:
Attendance data (deleted
annually from Family Access; kept on file six years as per state law)
Discipline data (deleted annually from Family Access; kept on file for three
years as per state law)
Daily grade data (deleted annually from Family Access; retained one year)
Student schedule (deleted annually from Family Access; not retained)
Student demographic information (retained and kept current on Family Access
as long as your student is enrolled in the Lynden Public Schools; kept on
file 100 years as per state law)
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