Parent Directions for Using CANVAS

Parent Directions for Using CANVAS

Parent Directions for Using CANVAS

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year at Buckhorn Middle School. I hope that your child has experienced a good start to the new school year.

This year, teachers in our system will continue to use CANVAS. CANVAS is an online learning management system, much like Edmodo or Blackboard. Many of your child’s teachers will be using CANVAS to:

  1. Post class resources such as PowerPoint files, recorded lecture videos, class notes, etc…
  2. Post a class calendar/schedule which displays test dates, homework due dates, etc…
  3. Post online assignments which can be completed, turned in, and graded through CANVAS.
  4. Administer online quizzes/tests.
  5. Facilitate online discussions.
  6. Communicate with both students and parents.
  7. Post online grades (instead of using the old INOW system).

If setup properly, CANVAS can send email or text message reminders to students that should encourage them to complete assignments and study for upcoming tests.

I’m asking that one parent/guardian per child sign up for a CANVAS account. Through this account, you will be able to:

  1. Observe the online activities that your child is assigned and participating in on CANVAS.
  2. View grades for assignments completed through CANVAS.
  3. Send messages to your child’s teachers.
  4. Receive messages from your child’s teachers.

To sign up for a CANVAS Parent/Observer Account please complete the following steps:

  1. Use Google Chrome or a newly updated version of Internet Explorer to navigate to
  2. Once the site has loaded, click on the white banner which reads “Parent of a CANVAS user? Click Here For an Account”.

  1. Fill out the required information on the page which loads after you complete step 2. You will need to know your student’s CANVAS username and password. Be sure to check the “Terms of Use” box.

  1. Click on the “Start Participating” button.
  2. You will then enter CANVAS. Click on the “Account” link in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Then click on “Settings”.

  1. Under the “Ways to Contact” menu, enter an email address and a cell phone number (You can do this under “Other Contacts”. This will allow your child’s teachers to send you messages directly from CANVAS.
  1. Click on the “Notifications” link on the left hand side of the screen.

  1. Under the “Cell Number” and/or “Email Address” columns, click the “check mark” for each item you want to be notified about. I would recommend that all parents and students check the following:
  2. Due Date; Announcement; Grading; and Conversation Message

  1. To finish the registration process, check your email. You should have received several emails from Madison County Schools. Open the email titled “Confirm Registration: Canvas”. Click on the included link to finish the registration process. This process will allow you to setup a password for your account.
  2. When you wish to login to CANVAS again:
  1. Navigate to:
  2. Enter your email address and password into the indicated fields.
  3. Once in CANVAS, use the “Courses” button to select the course you would like to explore/observe.
  1. If you have an questions, you can email me directly at
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