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Parents as Observers in Canvas

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) that allows teachers to provide instructional support, class calendars, assignments, and resources for students in a safe online environment. For traditional face to face classes, Canvas is an integral part of sharing blended classroom instruction.
 

Parents as Observers within Canvas

Parents are Observers within Canvas. Observers have limited permissions that allow users to view what is going on in a course and to see a calendar of assignments. Like students, Observers cannot view a course until it is published and the course has started. For assistance with Assignments, Test Dates, Quizzes, or other Canvas course content, please contact your child’s teacher.
 

What can Parents view in Canvas?

Below are the features available to Parents(Observers). Please note that not all courses use all features.
  • Set your Notifications
  • View the Dashboard
  • View Assignments
  • View Canvas Grades
  • View the Calendar
  • Communicate with the teacher

Who has access?

Parents and guardians of Deer Park ISD students can now log into Canvas using their Skyward Family Access login and password.

View information on Family Access.

If you are experiencing trouble with your Family Access login or password, refer to the Skyward Family Access page. Parents should not use their child's login credentials for Canvas.

To access Canvas using a browser go to the Canvas login page, click on the Parent/Observer link and login with your Family Access login and password. Please bookmark the Canvas login website for future access.

Access Canvas using the Canvas Parent app on a mobile device

 
Once you have downloaded and opened the app choose Find School. Type in Deer Park ISD (Not the specific school.) Then login with your Skyward Family Access credentials.
 
You do not need a student access code to access your student's Canvas classes.
 

How to Configure Text and Email Notifications

Parents can configure their Canvas account to send text and email notifications to be notified of grades and announcements plus other activities in Canvas. To learn about Canvas Notifications visit the Canvas Parent/Obsever Guide.
 

Grades in Canvas

Grades in Canvas only reflect assignments that are completed within Canvas. Skyward Family Access contains all the grades used to compute course averages. Therefore, report card averages for all students can be found in Skyward Family Access.