Skip to main content

Leonia Public Schools

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

Mac User Guide for Staff

 

Welcome to Your Mac Neo!

Leonia Mac User Guide Banner

This guide helps you master your Mac Neo with efficiency and ease. Whether you are new to macOS or a seasoned user, these steps ensure you get the most out of your professional environment at Leonia Public Schools.

Note: Select sections in the left sidebar to navigate through topics, configure your settings, and read school-specific policies.

Explore the Guide

  • Credentials & Apple ID
    Set up your school single sign-on login and unlock 200 GB of secure professional iCloud storage.
  • Getting to Know Your Mac
    Learn to use the Apple menu, organize the Desktop, and preview documents using Finder and Quick Look.
  • Navigating and Managing
    Control multiple windows with Mission Control, use Spotlight, and master trackpad swipe gestures.
  • Essential Tools
    Connect to Papercut Mobility printing, install district approved software, and mirror your screen.
  • Support and Growth
    Solve connection drops, get help from Leonia Vanguards, and browse Apple Teacher resources.
  • Maximize Your Productivity
    Set up Apple Universal Clipboard, sync documents with Handoff, and use Stage Manager.

Your User ID and Login

Log in securely using school SSO integration.

Your Mac uses Google SSO for a unified login experience. Simply enter your school credentials to begin.

If you are offline, click the person icon to access your local account (formatted as first.last).

Managed Apple ID

Connect your device to the secure Apple ecosystem.

Your Managed Apple ID uses your school email and password to connect you to the Apple ecosystem.

  • Data Protection
    Enjoy 200 GB of iCloud storage to sync and secure your professional data.
  • Account Management
    Customize your settings by selecting your name at the top of System Settings.

The Dock and Desktop

Manage your active files and favorite applications.

The Desktop is your central workspace. Use the Dock at the bottom to launch and manage your most-used apps.

  • Pin Apps
    Drag icons to the Dock or right-click an open app and choose Options > Keep in Dock.
  • Organize
    Position the Dock via System Settings > Desktop & Dock.

Finder and Quick Look

Locate, organize, and preview files on your Mac.

Organize and browse your files with the Finder.

Highlight any file and press the Spacebar to use Quick Look for a fast preview without opening an app.

Windows and Mission Control

Manage windows with intuitive controls.

Manage windows with the intuitive controls in the top-left corner: red Red Button to close, yellow Yellow Button to minimize, and green Green Button for full-screen or tiling. Use Mission Control to see all active windows at once.

Spotlight and Siri

Find resources instantly and accomplish tasks with Siri.

Spotlight allows you to search for files, apps, and system settings instantly, use it as a calculator for quick math or for unit and currency conversions, and get fast information like weather, stock prices, or sports scores.

Siri: Siri can be activated by clicking the icon in the menu bar or using a configured keyboard shortcut (press cmd twice). For teachers, Siri is a powerful productivity tool: it can set reminders for grading, create calendar events, launch specific apps, or provide quick access to facts during a lesson.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Trackpad Tips

Work faster and more efficiently with custom keys and gestures.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Use these shortcuts to work faster:

  • Command + Spacebar

    Open Spotlight to find files or apps.

  • Command + Tab

    Switch between open applications.

  • Command + Q

    Quit the active application.

  • Command + W

    Close the current window.

  • Command + Option + Esc

    Open the 'Force Quit' menu for unresponsive apps.

  • Command + Shift + 3

    Capture a screenshot of your entire screen.

  • Command + Shift + 4

    Capture a screenshot of a specific, selected area.

  • Command + Shift + 5

    Open the screenshot and screen recording utility.

Trackpad Gestures and Settings

You can customize how your trackpad responds to your touch.

  • Navigation: Scroll with two fingers and pinch to zoom.
  • Adjusting Scroll Direction: If you prefer traditional scrolling, navigate to System Settings > Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom and toggle off Natural scrolling.

Printing with Papercut

Follow these steps to send your documents to Leonia printers:

Sign In: Staff will have to sign into Papercut one time in order to use FollowMe print.

Papercut Sign In Screen
  • User name: first.last or your Leonia Schools email address.
  • Password: The same password you use to log into your PC or email address.
Papercut Status Window

Once authenticated, you can close this window.

Installing Apps via Mosyle

Access approved software through the Mosyle Manager app in your Dock:

  1. Open Mosyle Manager.
  2. Select the Self-Service view.
  3. Browse and click Install for your desired app.

Screen Mirroring

Present your screen on SmartBoards or classroom displays.

Present your desktop to SmartBoards or external displays by selecting Screen Mirroring in the Control Center Control Center Icon.

Quick Fixes & Security

Keep your workspace secure and resolve small software errors.

Quick Fixes

If an app is unresponsive, use Command + Option + Esc to Force Quit. If you encounter connectivity issues, toggle Wi-Fi off/on in the menu bar. When in doubt, a simple restart often resolves issues.

Secure Your Mac

Lock your screen immediately when leaving your desk by pressing:

Control + Command + Q

Leonia Vanguards

Peer-led technology support in your school building.

The Leonia Vanguards are peer experts available in every building to help you build confidence.

Professional Learning Resources

Connect with a global network of educators to discover new classroom strategies, share resources, and collaborate.

  • Apple Education Community
    Visit Apple Education to join the conversation and access curated educational resources.
  • Apple Teacher Program
    Enhance your skills with this free professional learning program that recognizes your expertise with Apple products. Learn more at Apple Teacher.
  • Apple Professional Learning
    Access expert coaching and virtual workshops to integrate technology into your curriculum. Explore options at Apple K12 PD.

Tech Department

Hardware issues and technical assistance.

For hardware issues, please visit your building technology office, or contact the Technology Department through the ticket system or email helpdesk@leoniaschools.org.

Supervisors

Instructional support and planning.

Department Supervisors will provide instructional support during department meetings and common planning sessions.

Continuity Features

Leverage the seamless connection between your Apple devices to move effortlessly through your tasks.

Ensure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff are enabled on both devices (System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff).

  • Universal Clipboard
    Copy text or images on your iPad and paste them directly onto your Mac.
  • Handoff
    To continue a task on another device, ensure you are signed into the same iCloud account on both, then click the Handoff icon that appears in the Dock.

Advanced Organization & Focus

Minimize distractions and maintain a tidy workspace.

  • Stacks
    Right-click an empty area on your Desktop and select Use Stacks to automatically group files by kind, date, or tags.
  • Desktop Widgets
    Right-click your Desktop and select Edit Widgets. Drag your preferred widgets (Calendar, Reminders) onto your desktop.
  • Focus Modes
    Open the Control Center in the menu bar, click Focus, and select your desired mode (e.g., Do Not Disturb, Work) to silence alerts.

Window & Multitasking Power

Optimize your screen real estate for complex workflows.

  • Stage Manager
    Open the Control Center, click Stage Manager, and toggle it on to keep your main workspace centered while others stay visible on the side.
  • Window Tiling
    Hover your pointer over the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of any window. Select a tiling layout from the menu to snap your window into place.

Quick Actions

Perform rapid modifications on files without launching full applications.

Right-click any file in Finder to access instant shortcuts like "Rotate Image", "Create PDF", or "Remove Background" without opening an app.