Everything you need to do before the first day of school — account setup, connectivity, and classroom orientation.
Your email follows the format [first initial][last name]@saddleriverday.org. Your temporary password is ******** — you'll be prompted to change it on first login.
Your SRDS Google account gives you access to Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Slides, Meet, and all integrated school tools.
Required for all faculty. Set it up at myaccount.google.com/security
- Under "Signing in to Google," click 2-Step Verification
- Click Get Started and choose Google Prompt or SMS
- Or download Google Authenticator and scan the QR code
- Open Gmail → gear icon → See all settings
- Under General, scroll to Signature
- Click Create new → name it "Work" → click Create
- Add your name, title, and copy-paste the SRDS logo
- Scroll down → Save Changes
Format: Name · Title · Saddle River Day School · Address · Phone x[ext]
Email your favorite headshot to lhollis@saddleriverday.org and we'll add you to the Faculty Directory.
Faculty/Staff: SRDS FS WiFi (use your faculty credentials)
Students: SRDS Student WiFi
Guests: SRDS Guest WiFi
Cell phones should be managed per the school's cell phone policy — check with your division head for specifics.
If you opted into the faculty laptop purchase program, your device will be ready in early-to-mid August. Contact the tech team if you have questions or need a loaner in the meantime.
SRDS has multifunction printers across campus:
- 2 in Main Hall (upstairs & mail room)
- 2 in North Hall (CIE and basement faculty lounge)
- 2 in Alford Hall (outside Bio Lab)
- 2 in Walsh Hall (Head of Upper School office and 2nd floor faculty lounge)
MFPs support printing, scanning, secure printing, and copying. Ask anyone on the tech team to get you set up.
For BYOD grades, students bring their own devices. Teachers should design activities that work across device types.
SRDS uses Schoology as its Learning Management System and PowerSchool for student records, attendance, and report cards.
Schoology
Your main hub for courses, assignments, discussions, gradebook, and parent/student communication. Every course lives here.
- Log in at app.schoology.com with your SRDS Google account
- Your courses will be pre-loaded — contact Jeremy Orr if something is missing
- Set up your course materials folder structure before students arrive
- Use Assignments for graded work, Pages for content, Discussions for class conversations
- Gradebook syncs with PowerSchool — enter grades here
Tip: Jeremy Orr is your go-to for Schoology training and course setup.
Schoology messaging connects you directly to students and parents. Use the Announcements feature to push updates to your course members. Parents can see assignment due dates and grades in real time.
PowerSchool
SRDS's student information system for attendance, demographics, schedules, and official report card grades.
- Log in via the PowerSchool Teacher portal (link in your welcome email)
- Click your class period to take attendance
- Mark absent or tardy — this is time-sensitive; take attendance at the start of class
- If you miss a window, contact the main office to correct the record
Grades and narrative comments are entered in PowerSchool at scheduled marking periods. The registrar will send reminders with deadlines. Make sure your Schoology gradebook is current before the comment window opens.
Every SRDS classroom is equipped with a BenQ interactive board. Here's what you need to know to use it confidently on day one.
- Turning On: Press the power button on the bottom right of the board or use the remote
- Your BenQ Card: Each teacher receives a personal BenQ card — tap it to the reader to load your saved settings and profile
- Connecting Your Device: Use the dongle (wireless) or HDMI cable to mirror your laptop display
- Touch & Annotation: Tap directly on the screen; use the stylus or your finger for writing and drawing
- Shared Spaces: BenQ boards have shared cloud storage for collaborative class work
- Turning Off: Hold the power button or use the remote — always power down at the end of the day
Ask Connor or Jeremy to walk you through your specific board model during orientation.
Each classroom has a ClickShare dongle that allows wireless screen sharing from your laptop or phone. Plug the dongle into your device, launch the app (or click the button), and your screen mirrors to the board instantly.
For wired connections, use the HDMI cable on the board's connection panel.
Every classroom is equipped with a Zoom Phone for internal and external calls. Your extension will be provided during orientation.
- Log into the Zoom app on your computer or use the physical Zoom Phone device in your room
- Dial internal extensions directly, or use the Zoom directory to find colleagues
- For emergencies or administrative needs, dial the main office extension
- Voicemail transcripts are delivered to your SRDS email automatically
Contact Myron Toltsis at mtoltsis@saddleriverday.org for any phone setup or extension issues.
SRDS is home to Rebel Vision, a fully professional broadcast and film production suite available for classroom use. Whether you're producing a documentary, a news segment, a short film, or a class presentation, the studio has everything you need.
Broadcast & Studio
- TriCaster Switcher — professional live production switcher for multi-camera broadcasts, transitions, and overlays
- Audio Board — full mixing console for live and recorded audio
- Anchor Desk — broadcast-style news desk for on-camera presenting
- Teleprompter — for polished on-camera delivery
- Green Screen — full chroma key backdrop for virtual backgrounds
Cameras & Capture
- Sony & Canon Cameras — professional cinema and DSLR cameras for studio and field shoots
- GoPro Cameras — action and POV capture for dynamic footage
- Drones — aerial photography and videography for outdoor projects
- Wireless Microphones — lavalier and handheld for untethered audio capture
Stabilization & Movement
- Tripods — standard and fluid-head tripods for stable shots
- Steady Cams — body-mounted stabilization for smooth moving shots
- Gimbals — electronic 3-axis stabilization for handheld and run-and-gun filming
- Phone Tripods — for mobile video capture and student-led projects
Post-Production
- Editing Workstations — Mac-based editing suites for classroom and student projects
- Lighting Kits — studio and portable lighting for any environment
Student Programs
- Only at the Day — student-produced show highlighting SRDS news and community stories
- Rebel Sports Zone — student-produced sports coverage and highlights
To schedule studio time or borrow equipment for a project, contact Laura Hollis at lhollis@saddleriverday.org.
SRDS is equipped with professional-grade making and immersive technology. These resources are available for classroom integration across all disciplines — you don't need to be a tech teacher to use them!
Bambu Lab H2D Printers × 3
The IDEAS Lab houses three Bambu Lab H2D printers — fast, high-quality, multi-material capable. Perfect for rapid prototyping and detailed student projects.
- Design: Use TinkerCAD (browser-based, free) or Gravity Sketch (VR) to create a 3D model
- Export: Save as .STL or .3MF file
- Slice: Use Bambu Studio on the lab computer to prepare and send to the printer
- Print: Select filament color — multiple options available in the lab
- Collect: Prints take 30 minutes to several hours depending on complexity
Talk to Jeremy Orr for a lab orientation before your first session.
- Science: Molecular models, topographic maps, anatomical structures
- Math: Geometric solids, custom manipulatives
- History: Artifacts, architectural models, map terrain
- Art: Sculptures, jewelry, custom installations
- Engineering: Prototype-test-iterate design challenges
Cricut Machines
Cricut machines precisely cut vinyl, paper, cardstock, iron-on, and more. Great for signage, art projects, custom labels, and presentation materials.
- Vinyl (permanent & removable) — great for labels, posters, wall decals
- Iron-on / HTV — custom t-shirts, tote bags, fabric projects
- Paper & cardstock — cards, book covers, dioramas, pop-ups
- Sticker paper — student-designed stickers and branding
- Thin wood & leather — advanced material projects
Design in Cricut Design Space (browser-based, free account required). Ask Jeremy Orr to get you set up.
Meta Quest 2 VR
SRDS has a fleet of Meta Quest 2 VR headsets available for classroom use. Students can explore immersive worlds, create 3D art, and learn through simulation.
- Wander — Google Street View in VR; explore any place on Earth
- Titans of Space — immersive solar system and space exploration
- Mondly — language learning with AI conversation partners
- Gravity Sketch — 3D design and collaboration
- Arkio — collaborative 3D architecture and spatial design
- Tilt Brush / MultiBrush — 3D painting and art creation
- Guided Meditation VR — mindfulness and wellness
- Future World Vision — STEM / engineering scenarios
- YouTube VR — 360° video content across any topic
- Hand Physics Lab — physics simulations
- Beat Saber — music and movement (great for PE or team building!)
- Email Laura Hollis or Jeremy Orr to schedule the VR headset cart
- Headsets are kept charged in the storage cart — grab the whole set
- Power on each headset and confirm it connects to SRDS WiFi
- Launch the app on one headset first to confirm it works, then distribute
- Brief students on safe play areas — move desks to create space if needed
- Return headsets to the cart, powered off, after your session
Glowforge Laser Cutter & Engraver
The Glowforge is a professional laser cutter and engraver capable of cutting wood, acrylic, leather, cardboard, and fabric — and engraving on almost any flat surface.
- Cut: Wood, acrylic, leather, cardboard, fabric — intricate shapes with precision
- Engrave: Wood, acrylic, glass, anodized metal, stone, and more
- Score: Create fold lines and surface designs without cutting all the way through
Cross-curricular uses: Custom awards and certificates (Admin/Art), architectural models (History/Engineering), engraved science specimens, personalized book covers (ELA), laser-cut puzzle pieces (Math), signage for school events, and student portfolio pieces.
⚠️ Glowforge requires faculty supervision at all times. Contact Jeremy Orr for certification before your first use.
SRDS embraces AI as a tool for learning — when used responsibly. As a faculty member, you set the tone. Here's what the policy says and what it means for your classroom.
The Core Principle
AI use at SRDS is grounded in our motto: "Teaching students how to think, not what to think." AI should enhance critical thinking — never replace it. You decide when and how AI is appropriate in your classroom.
Faculty Authority
Teachers retain full authority over AI use in their courses. You may permit, restrict, or require disclosure on a per-assignment basis. Make your expectations clear in your syllabus and assignment descriptions.
SRDS provides licensed access to a wide range of educational platforms. Here's what's available — reach out to the tech team to get access credentials.
When something goes wrong — or you just want to level up — here's how to reach us.
🚦 The Three-Step Rule
- Ask a student. Seriously! Your students have seen most issues before and are often the fastest fix. Don't hesitate — they love to help.
- Find us in person if it's urgent and can't wait. Myron, Connor, Jeremy, and Laura are on campus. For a crisis mid-class, track one of us down.
- Submit a tech ticket for anything non-urgent. Email support@saddleriverday.org or visit saddleriverday.freshdesk.com. This auto-creates a tracked request so nothing falls through the cracks.