Google Workspace for Education

Google Workspace for Education accounts are available for HCOS students in Grades 5-12. Google Workspace for Education is a set of Google tools aimed at helping students build skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity while keeping learning engaging and safe. Starting in Grade 5, students will have access to tools such as Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Drawings, and Jamboard to help them develop digital literacy and executive functioning skills while sharing their work with their teachers (support, CC+, online) and classmates. Students will be able to create a portfolio of their work over time and see the progression of their learning and growth, while building essential digital skills that will equip them for their high school years and beyond.

Google requires parents consent to the creation of accounts. Before we can create an account, we need parents to fill out this form: https://hcos.ca/us-signup. This form includes the Google Workspace for Education Notice to Parents and Guardians, explaining how Google Workspace for Education accounts are treated differently than regular Google accounts. Specifically, Google exempts these accounts from the typical advertisement and scanning that occurs with regular accounts. For additional training, we encourage students to enroll in the Orientation to Online Courses  ADST module to participate in lessons on how to navigate and use Google Workspace tools.

Click here to read the full Google Workspace for Education Notice to Parents and Guardians.

HCOS Google Workspace for Education student accounts will be firstname.lastname@student.onlineschool.ca For example, Suzy Smith would be suzy.smith@student.onlineschool.ca After completing the sign-up form, you will receive an email with your username and password to access your Google Workspace account. Families can update student email addresses to the Google Workspace email in Encom by following the steps listed under "Setting Up A Student Account" on this page.

We look forward to partnering with you through upholding our core value of flexibility and ensuring these tools align with your family’s digital literacy goals. If you have any questions about Google Workspace for Education with middle school students at HCOS, please reach out to our Director of Middle School Instruction.