Getting Started

How to Reset Your FVSD Password
Having trouble logging in? This guide walks you through resetting your FVSD password.
Before You Start
Your FVSD account uses one password across all services — email, computer login, Google Workspace, and more. Changing your password will update it everywhere.
Option 1: Reset Your Password From the Login Screen (Windows)
On the Windows login screen, click Reset Password or I forgot my password
Enter your FVSD email address (e.g., 
jsmith@fvsd.ab.ca)
Complete the verification step (you may be asked to confirm your phone number or answer a security question)
Create a new password following the requirements below
Click Submit
Option 2: Change Your Password While Logged In
If you can still log in but want to change your password:
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard
Click Change a password
Enter your current password
Enter your new password twice
Press Enter
Option 3: Reset via Microsoft 365 Online
Go to https://portal.office.com
Enter your FVSD email address
Click Can't access your account?
Follow the prompts to verify your identity
Create a new password
Password Requirements
Your new password must meet the following:
At least 8 characters long
Contains at least one uppercase letter (A-Z)
Contains at least one lowercase letter (a-z)
Contains at least one number (0-9)
Cannot be the same as your last 3 passwords
Contact IT
If none of the options above work:
Submit a ticket through the IT helpdesk
Email: helpdesk@fvsd.ab.ca
Please include:
Your full name
Your school/site
The device or service you're trying to log in to

New Staff Onboarding: What to Expect From IT
Welcome to FVSD! This guide explains how your IT account and access are set up when you join the division.
How Your Account Is Created
Your FVSD account is created automatically once you've been entered and activated in the HR system (Atrieve) by your school office. IT cannot create your account manually — the HR record must come first.
If you don't have an account yet, contact your school office and ask them to confirm that your record is active in Atrieve.
What Happens Automatically
Once your Atrieve record is active, the following are set up for you automatically:
FVSD email address (e.g., 
jsmith@fvsd.ab.ca)
Microsoft 365 account (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, etc.)
Google Workspace account (if applicable to your role)
Group memberships based on your school and role — for example, if you're a teacher at La Crete Public School, you'll automatically be added to the LCPS Faculty group and receive the associated email lists and shared resources
You do not need to request these — they are assigned based on your HR information.
What You'll Need to Do
1. Get Your Login Credentials
Your school office or IT will provide your initial username and temporary password. You'll be asked to change your password on first login.
2. Sign In to Your Computer
Log in to your FVSD computer with your email and password
A PaperCut popup will appear — click Sign in with Microsoft to set up printing
3. Access Your Email
Outlook should be pre-installed on your computer — sign in with your FVSD email
You can also access email on the web at https://outlook.office.com
What to Request From IT
Some things aren't set up automatically and need a ticket:
Shared mailbox access (e.g., the school office mailbox)
Specific software not already on your computer
Specialty equipment (adapters, second monitors, etc.)
Access to SharePoint sites or shared drives beyond your default group access
See the Requesting Access and Permissions article for details.
Common Questions
Q: I started working but still don't have an account.
A: Your account depends on your HR record in Atrieve. Check with your school office to make sure you've been entered and activated in the system.
Q: I have an account but I'm missing access to certain resources.
A: Many resources are assigned automatically based on your role and school. If your role or school is incorrect in Atrieve, your access won't match. Check with your school office first. For manually assigned resources, submit a request to IT.
Q: I'm a substitute or temporary staff — do I get an account?
A: Substitute and temporary staff accounts depend on being entered in Atrieve. Contact your school office to confirm.
Contact IT
Submit a ticket through the IT helpdesk
Email: helpdesk@fvsd.ab.ca

Web Browsers
This guide covers the browsers available on FVSD computers and tips for troubleshooting common issues.
Supported Browsers
Microsoft Edge (Recommended) — the default browser on FVSD computers. Edge uses Single Sign-On (SSO) with your FVSD account, so you'll be automatically signed in to Microsoft 365 services (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive) without needing to enter your password each time.
Google Chrome — also available if you prefer it. Best for Google Workspace tools (Classroom, Drive, Docs).
We recommend Edge for the seamless sign-in experience, but you're welcome to use Chrome if you prefer.
Clearing Your Browser Cache
If a website isn't loading correctly, is showing outdated content, or is running slowly, clearing the cache often fixes it.
Chrome
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
Set the time range to All time
Check Cached images and files (and Cookies if needed — note this will sign you out of websites)
Click Clear data
Edge
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
Set the time range to All time
Check Cached images and files
Click Clear now
Managing Bookmarks
Adding a Bookmark
Press Ctrl + D on any page to bookmark it
Choose a folder to save it in and click Done
Accessing Bookmarks
Click the star icon or bookmarks bar at the top of the browser
Press Ctrl + Shift + O to open the bookmark manager
Browser Extensions
Do not install browser extensions yourself — some extensions pose security or privacy risks
If you need a specific extension for your work, submit a request to IT
IT-approved extensions are deployed automatically to managed browsers
Common Questions
Q: A website isn't loading or shows an error.
A: Try these steps in order:
Refresh the page (Ctrl + R or F5)
Clear your browser cache (see above)
Try the site in a different browser
If it still doesn't work, it may be a site-level issue or blocked by the network filter — contact IT
Q: I keep getting pop-ups or redirects.
A: Do not click on any pop-ups. Close the browser and reopen it. If the issue continues, contact IT — your browser may need to be reset.
Q: A site I need for work is blocked.
A: Some sites are blocked by the FVSD network filter. If you need a site unblocked for work or educational purposes, submit a ticket to IT with the URL and the reason you need access.
Q: Which browser should I use for [specific tool]?
A: As a general rule — Edge for Microsoft tools, Chrome for Google tools. Most sites work fine in either.
Contact IT
Submit a ticket through the IT helpdesk
Email: helpdesk@fvsd.ab.ca

File Storage: Where to Save Your Files
This guide explains the different places you can store files at FVSD and when to use each one.
OneDrive (Recommended for Most Files)
OneDrive is your primary cloud storage, linked to your FVSD Microsoft 365 account.
What it's for: Personal work files — documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.
How to access: OneDrive is built into File Explorer on your computer (look for "OneDrive - FVSD" in the left sidebar), or go to https://microsoft365.com and click OneDrive
Benefits:
Files are backed up to the cloud automatically
Access your files from any device
Easy to share with colleagues via a link or email
Version history — you can recover previous versions of a file
OneDrive Sync
FVSD computers use the OneDrive sync tool to automatically back up your Desktop, Documents, and Photos folders to the cloud. This means files you save to these locations are synced to OneDrive automatically — you don't need to do anything extra.
Make sure OneDrive is running:
Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner, near the clock)
If it's there, you're all set — your files are syncing
If it's not there, search for "OneDrive" in the Start menu and open it. Sign in with your FVSD account if prompted.
If the icon shows a warning or error (red X or yellow triangle), click it for details or contact IT
Important: Because Desktop, Documents, and Photos are synced, your files in these folders are backed up even though they appear to be on your local computer. However, the Downloads folder is not synced — avoid keeping important files there.
SharePoint
SharePoint is for shared team or school-level documents.
What it's for: Files that a group of people need to access and collaborate on — school documents, shared templates, policies, etc.
How to access: Through your web browser or links provided by your school/team
Note: You may need to request access to specific SharePoint sites (see the Requesting Access & Permissions article)
Google Drive
Google Drive is linked to your FVSD Google Workspace account.
What it's for: Google Classroom files, Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, and files used with Google tools
How to access: Go to https://drive.google.com and sign in with your FVSD account
Your Computer's Local Storage (C: Drive)
Your Desktop, Documents, and Photos folders are synced to OneDrive and are backed up automatically. However, other locations on your computer are not backed up:
The Downloads folder is not synced — move important files out of Downloads to Documents or your Desktop
Files saved to other locations on the C: drive are not backed up
If your computer breaks, is lost, or is replaced, only files synced to OneDrive will be recoverable
Quick Reference
| Where | Best For | Backed Up? | Accessible From Other Devices? |
|-------|----------|------------|-------------------------------|
| OneDrive | Personal work files | Yes | Yes |
| SharePoint | Shared team/school files | Yes | Yes |
| Google Drive | Google Classroom and Google tool files | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop / Documents / Photos | Personal files (synced to OneDrive) | Yes | Yes |
| Downloads / other local folders | Temporary files only | No | No |
Common Questions
Q: My OneDrive isn't syncing.
A: Check the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom-right). If there's a warning or error, click it for details. Try restarting OneDrive. If it still won't sync, contact IT.
Q: I accidentally deleted a file.
A: Check the Recycle Bin on your desktop (for local files) or the Trash/Recycle Bin in OneDrive, SharePoint, or Google Drive. Deleted files are usually recoverable for 30-90 days.
Q: I'm running out of storage.
A: Delete files you no longer need and empty the recycle bin/trash. If you're still running low, contact IT.
Contact IT
Submit a ticket through the IT helpdesk
Email: helpdesk@fvsd.ab.ca