Get Started with Tech at RCS (Employees)

This article is...

	The information here will guide you through the process of setting up your RCS account and your laptop.
	Intended for Employees and Students
	Categorized under RCS software and services
	Maintained by Matt Ringh
	in need of review.

Getting Started At Riverdale

The information here will guide you through the process of setting up your RCS account and your laptop.

Please note: Training is highly recommended prior to the start of the school year. During your training time you will receive information about the various systems we use at RCS and have a better understanding of how our school operates within the digital world.

If you have any questions that are not answered here, feel free to contact us at support-ticket@riverdale.edu.

RCS Account Setup

The following instructions will guide you step-by-step in setting up your RCS account and installing the necessary web browser plug-ins.

Step 1: Logon

Go to my.riverdale.edu and enter your "RCS Username" and "Password". 

Step 2: Change your password

After logging in you will be prompted to change your password.

Your new password must include three of the following four character types:

• lowercase letters
• uppercase letters
• numbers
• symbols

In addition, the password must:

• contain 8 or more characters (we recommend longer than the minimum length)
• not contain your first name, last name or username
• be different from a previous password you've used at RCS

Examples of valid passwords

• H0neyD3w!!
• 1234GoodBye
• T33th2015
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (spaces count as characters)



Step 3: Setup account

​ Follow the prompts to

1. Add a secondary email address to use when resetting your password, or check the box that says "I have no secondary email address".
2. Add your mobile phone number if you want the option to reset your password via text message.
3. Choose a security question to answer if you forget your password.
4. Choose a security image.

When you have finished these steps, click on the button that says "Create Account" in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. This will complete the account creation process!

Okta Plug-In Installation

If you are using an employee laptop or an off-campus computer, you may see a message that asks you to install an Okta browser plug-in the first time you log in to your RCS account.

1. The plug-in must be installed for the software to operate.
2. Click on the part of the message that says "click here to install".
3. Start the installation and follow the onscreen instructions.
4. When the installation is complete, restart the browser.

If you use more than one browser, you must install the plug-in for each browser. Each web browser has its own slightly different method of installing the plug-in. Note: After installing the Okta plug-in, an icon will appear as an add-on to the right of your address bar.

The icon is a shortcut to the applications in the Okta dashboard.

Login to your Google Email. To ensure the safety/privacy of our school & it's employees we require all faculty and staff to enable 2-step authentication on their email address. 2-Step Verification requires you to KNOW something (the password you already use) and HAVE something (typically your cell phone) in order to access your account.

1. Click on the Gmail icon
2. Login to your account using your RCS username and NEW password
3. You will be prompted to enable 2-step authentication. Follow the procedures provided by Google to enable 2-step authentication

Please send an email to your department chair or supervisor so they know you can access our systems.

Laptop Request

Full-time, Part-time teachers, Assistant Teachers, Administrators, Administrative staff

Please submit a New Faculty Request Form (Link Below) to indicate what device you prefer to use in your new role.

Here are some things you should consider prior to choosing your device:

• The vast majority of our employees are MacBook or Chromebook users.
• Below is a breakdown of what devices are predominately used by students within our division:
  1. LOWER SCHOOL (3rd-5th Grade) - 1 to 1 Chromebook
  2. MIDDLE SCHOOL - 1 to 1 Chromebook
  3. UPPER SCHOOL - BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Most students have MacBooks or PC's

• If after you have begun using a device you find it does NOT fit your needs, we are happy to swap your device out for another that DOES.

Finance, Development, Security, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Grounds, Coaching, or other staff positions At this time, we do not automatically provide laptops . If you are in need of one, please contact your supervisor.

Click here to fill out the Riverdale New Faculty Laptop Request Form

Technology Onboarding

RCS has a variety of programs and procedures that are important for all members of our community to be familiar with.  We will be hosting 2 half day sessions in August for all faculty beginning next school year.  

Please ensure you sign up for one of the following onboarding options:  

Full-time, Part-time teachers, Assistant Teachers

Register for our August trainings which will take place:

• Tuesday, August 21st 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

• Wednesday, August 22nd 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

If you are unable to attend training in August, please schedule a one-on-one help session with someone from the tech team by filling out the form below.

Administrators, Administrative staff, Finance, Development, Security, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Grounds, Coaching, or other staff positions

Sign up for a one on one training session with someone from the technology department.

Technology Onboarding Details

​Riverdale Country School - River Campus

Building: Upper Learning

Room: 2nd Floor (5th Grade Room)

(Please note Room/location may be different than previously advised)

Where to Park:

Lower School Parking lot

What to bring:

• Please bring all equipment that was provided by the technology department
• MacBook Air
• Laptop Charger
• External Hard Drive
• iPad (if provided)

Lunch: Will be provided on that day

Security Settings

Riverdale requires that you complete the following security measures upon laptop setup.

On a Mac

• Please follow the steps ( see pictures below) in the Setup Assistant to set up your account.
• Turn "ON" Location Services.
• Sign in with your Apple ID. If you do not have an Apple ID, click on "create Apple ID" to make one.

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On a PC ​Go to https://preyproject.com/download

• Click "Get Started"
• Create a Prey account
• Download Prey
• Choose the download for Windows (XP and up)
• Install the downloaded software package

Campus Tech Support

Have a question about technology?  Try the following:

• Submit a tech request to Web Help Desk at support.riverdale.edu.
• Contact us at support-ticket@riverdale.edu  
• Call x50 from any campus phone.
• For more information about tech help, go here.
• For more information about available software, go here.