Frequently Asked Questions


DISCLAIMER

Due to vast amount of different Internet Service Providers (ISPs), operating systems, software, and hardware manufacturers, Elementary SIS cannot guarantee that all or any of the following suggestions will resolve issues dealing with, but not limited to, connectivity, user access, software settings, and hardware. It is recommended that users contact their ISP and refer to user manuals and other supporting documentation provided by the software company and/or hardware manufacturer.


ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM


Question: My password doesn't work!
Response: There are many things you should try before giving up on your password. Did you enter it correctly? Did you use the correct case for your password? (UPPERCASE and lowercase are treated differently by the computer.) Is the 'CAPS LOCK' key depressed on your keyboard when it shouldn't be? If you are still having trouble, try quitting Internet Explorer and starting it again. If that doesn't work, try restarting your computer again. Do not attempt to log in a fifth time. Logging in incorrectly five times will result in your account being blocked. If your account is blocked, call ESIS at 213-241-4617 during normal business hours.

Question: I can't remember my password. What should I do?
Response: If you absolutely cannot remember your password, you can request a new one. Click on the 'Can't Remember My Password' link on the login page. You will be able to request a new password by providing your employee number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Make sure that you only click on 'Send Password' once, as each click will wipe out the current password and generate a new one. Only the most recent password generated will work. The new password will be mailed to the ePALS email address on file under “Update My Account".

Question: I requested a new password. Where is it?
Response: When you request a new password, it is sent to you at the LAUSD email address on file. Go and check your email to see if it has arrived. If your email address is not on file, there will be no way for the system to send you a new password. (This is also true if you entered your email address incorrectly or if you forgot the '@yourinternetserviceprovider.com' portion of your email address) Keep in mind that when you request a new password, your old password will no longer work, even if you remember it later.

Question: I don't like my password. Can I change it?
Response: Yes! Once you log into the system, click on the “Update My Account” link on your main menu. Provide your current password, along with your new password (twice, to ensure you typed it correctly) and your preferred password will work when you next log in. Users will be required to change passwords every 180 days. A message will display notifying the user that their password has expired.

Question: I've tried everything and I still can't get into the system!
Response: If you have never been able to log into the system, it's possible your account was never set up. If your account used to work, but doesn't any longer, contact ESIS at 213-241-4617 and the staff will identify the problem with your account.

ERROR MESSAGES


Question: I received an error message “The combination of username and password entered was invalid. Please try again”. What should I do?
Response: (1) Refer to the response for “My password doesn’t work!” (2) Try one of the following: (a) Clear your browser’s cache files (b) Quit/close your browser and all of its windows and then launch a new session (c) update your web browser; Elementary SIS recommends using Microsoft® Internet Explorer Version 6.0 or higher for PCs; or Version 5.2.3 for Mac. If you are unable to install either of those versions, install the most recent version available for your computer.

Question: I received an error message “You are over the maximum allowed logon attempts. You cannot logon until 03/15/04 20:30.” What should I do?
Response: The system has blocked your account due to 5 (or more) incorrect login attempts. Your account will be blocked for 6 hours. If your account has been blocked, contact ESIS at 213-241-4617 Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and ask to have your account unblocked. Click on the ‘Did you forget your password?' link on the login page. You will be asked to provide your employee number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Click on 'Send Password' only once, as each click will wipe out the current password and generate a new one. Only the most recent password generated will work. The new password will be mailed to the ePals email address on file under ‘Update My Account’. The new password will only be sent to LAUSD assigned ePals email accounts.

Question: I received an error message “You are not allowed to enter grades at this time”. What does it mean?
Response: The message appears due to one or more of the following reasons: (a) the range of dates for entering grades has not started or has ended. Teachers may enter grades three weeks prior to and one week after the Reporting Period End Date. (b) your track assignment on Elementary SIS is incorrect; please ask Office Personnel to verify your track assignment and update it, if necessary. (c) Quit/close your browser and all of its windows and then launch a new session (d) Locate the “Tools” menu in your Internet Explorer browser, click on “Internet Options” and select the “Advanced” tab. Uncheck the box for “Show friendly HTTP error messages” and then click on “OK” to change and accept the change.

Question: I received an error message “500 Internal Server Pipe Error”. What should I do?
Response: This error may indicate a temporary glitch in the system. Please try one or all of the following: (a) Try again at a later time (b) Clear your browser’s cache files (c) Quit/close your browser and all of its windows and then launch a new session (d) Locate the “Tools” menu in your Internet Explorer browser, click on “Internet Options” and select the “Advanced” tab. Uncheck the box for “Show friendly HTTP error messages” and then click on “OK” to change and accept the change.

Question: What is a browser?
Response: A browser is a program that accesses and displays files and other data available on the Internet and other networks. There are several web browsers available: Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Netscape®, and Macintosh® Safari. Elementary SIS recommends using Microsoft® Internet Explorer Version 6.0 or higher for PCs or Internet Explorer Version 5.2.3 for Mac. If you are unable to install either of those versions, install the most recent version available for your computer.

Question: What are browser cache files?
Response: Cache files are stored on your computer to help reload web pages faster. Cache files include temporary images and other temporary data.

Question: How do I clear my browser’s cache files?
Response: Click here for instructions on clearing cache files for Microsoft® Internet Explorer and Macintosh® Safari.

Question: I received an error message “Pipe Read Error”. What should I do?
Response: This error may indicate a temporary glitch in the system. Try logging in at a later time. If the problem persists, contact ESIS at 213-241-4617 and ask for a system update.

Question: I logged in correctly and a white page displaying the message “The ESIS Web Applications have opened in a new window.” appeared, but there is no other window open.
Response: There are several possibilities for this occurring: (a) First, determine whether the second window has opened. PC users can hold down the ALT and TAB buttons to display a list of all open windows. If OPR is the only application open, there should be a minimum of two windows. (b) If the second window (a yellow page) does not display, disable any “Pop-Up” or “Ad Blocker” software on your computer. If you are unable to disable or adjust the software settings, you may need to uninstall the software. If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and have the pop-up blocker turned on, you will need to adjust the settings. If you click on the ‘Enter’ button while holding down the ‘Control’ key on your keyboard, the next page should load correctly. If changing the settings or using the ‘Control’ key does not work, an information bar will appear with the following message "Pop-up blocked. To see this pop-up or additional options click here ...". When you click on the message, a new window will appear with several options. Click on "Always Allow Pop-ups From This Site". Next, a new window will appear with this message: "The page cannot be refreshed without resending the information." Click on the "Retry" button and the page will reload and load the second window displaying the SIS & SIB Application Menu. c) Check your browser security settings.

Question: What is “Pop-Up” and “Ad Blocker” software?
Response: Blocker software will prevent ALL pop-up windows from opening, including "good" windows such as SOAR, OPR, and Web-SIS. In order to view all pages for SIS & SIB Applications, Pop-up or Ad Blockers must be disabled or removed from the computer if it was installed. If you are running Windows XP and have installed Service Pack 2, click here.

Question: I logged in correctly, but the Online Progress Report link does not appear on the Application Menu.
Response: Your account was not setup correctly or your location code does not match with the OPR system’s database. The link may not appear if (a) a teacher has been or is currently “On Leave” (b) the teacher is a substitute (either short- or long-term) (c) the teacher is not assigned to the correct room on Elementary SIS or more than one teacher is assigned to the same room (d) teacher has recently changed school assignment or position. Please ask the school’s Office Personnel to verify teacher and room assignments and make any necessary corrections and/or updates on Elementary SIS.

PROGRESS REPORTS


Question: The Progress Report printed out in the wrong language.
Response: The Office Copy of the Progress Report prints only in English. The Home Copy of the Progress Report prints in the students’ Parent/Guardian Language. The language can be changed via Elementary SIS. Office Personnel may change/update that information. The Parent/Guardian Language does not match the language indicated in a student’s Home Language Survey. The system interprets this information as separate items. Currently, the Home Copy of the Progress Report prints in 9 languages: English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Currently, there are no plans to add other languages.

Question: How many copies of the Progress Report should be printed?
Response: Schools should print a minimum of two copies: an Office Copy (English) for the students’ cumulative record at the school and a Home Copy (students’ Parent/Guardian Language) distributed to parents via a parent-teacher conference or via the student. There is no limit to the amount of copies that can be printed.

Question: When should a copy of the Progress Report be included in a student’s cumulative file?
Response: A copy of the Progress Report should be placed in a student’s cumulative file at the end of the school year and/or when a student checks out. However, schools may decide to include a copy after each reporting period or per school policy. If a student is at risk of retention, it is suggested that all three Progress Reports signed by their parent(s) should be stapled together and filed in the student’s cumulative file.

Question: Do Resource Teachers have access to a student’s Progress Report via OPR?
Response: No, only the assigned classroom teacher may access the student Progress Report to make updates or changes. Resource Teachers or other personnel that might have influence in determining a student’s grade in a subject(s) should meet with the classroom teacher and discuss grades. Personnel providing Special Education services are responsible for a copy of each student’s progress toward IEP goals. A completed goal page should be attached to the Progress Report for each Reporting Period.

Question: A student that has left our school still appears on my class roster.
Response: Although the student has left your school, the student is still active in your school’s Elementary SIS. The student needs to be released or officially checked out on Elementary SIS. Please inform the Office Personnel so that the student can be officially checked out.

Question: A student recently enrolled in our school. Do I need to issue a Progress Report?
Response: Yes, but not all students require grades. All students enrolled prior to the end of the Reporting Period must receive a Progress Report. However, students that attend (15) fifteen academic days or more are required to receive grades. For students attending less than 15 academic days, teachers may use comment code “G23: Insufficient attendance to determine performance”.

Question: Student names are misspelled.
Response: Student data for OPR is collected from your school’s Elementary SIS, which in turn should reflect the student’s name as it appears on a birth certificate or other legal document. If there has been an error, ask your Office Personnel to update/change the data in your school’s Elementary SIS.

Question: If there is missing or incorrect Intervention Data, what do I do?
Response: Student data for Intervention is collected from your school’s Elementary SIS. If data is missing or incorrect, notify your Intervention Coordinator or School Site Administrator. If necessary, Office Personnel may update/change the data in your school’s Elementary SIS.

Question: Student ELD levels are incorrect.
Response: It is recommended that changes to ELD levels occur after the Reporting Period ends and all grades have been entered. If the student’s grades do not reflect the ELD level displayed on the Progress Report, notify your Master Plan Coordinator.

Question: How do I indicate if a student may be retained?
Response: Currently the system does not allow teachers to indicate possible retention electronically. After printing the Progress Report, teachers must indicate by writing comments on possible retention on the printed form. Beginning in June 2004, the system will allow teachers to place an “x” in a box indicating that the student “Will be retained” or “Possibly Retained”.

Question: How do I indicate if a Special Education student is receiving Accommodations, Alternate District Curriculum or a Modified Curriculum?
Response: Currently the system does not allow teachers to indicate accommodations or modifications. Teachers must indicate it in writing after printing the Progress Report. Beginning in June 2004, the system will retrieve data from ESIS and place an “x” in a box indicating that the student is receiving “Accommodations”, an “Alternate District Curriculum” or a “ModifiedCurriculum”.

Question: Can I type in my own comments?
Response: Currently the system does not allow teachers to type additional comments (i.e., via a text box). It is recommended that teachers use comments provided by LAUSD. Teachers may add comments manually once the Progress Report is printed, but doing so should be discussed with the school site Administrator. Beginning in June 2004, close to 100 additional comments will be provided for teachers to select from.

UPDATED:9/10/04



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