Tech Support

Find Your Student's PWCS Email Address and Username

Your student's PWCS email address is available in ParentVUE.

1. Log in to ParentVUE.
2. Select your child.
3. Open Student Info.
4. Find your child's PWCS email address.

Your child's username is everything before '@pwcs-edu.org' in their email address.

Example:

PWCS Email Address: [email protected]
Username: student123

Setting or Resetting Your Student's Password

1. Using a web browser, go to the PWCS Toolbox.
2. Select Password Help.
3. Select Forgot My Password – Student.
4. Enter the student's username.
5. Enter the student's six-digit ID number in Student Number.
6. Enter the student's birthdate using MM/DD/YYYY.
7. Create and confirm the student's new password, following the password requirements shown on the screen.

Note: If the website does not display correctly on a mobile device, try using a laptop or desktop instead.

The PWCS Portal is the main place students can access many of the digital tools and resources they use at school. PWCS Portal is powered by ClassLink, so you may hear teachers and students simply refer to it as ClassLink. Both names refer to the same student portal.

Students can log in using either:

• QuickCard: Available for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and students in grades 3–5 who have an IEP.
• PWCS Username and Password: Available for all students.

If you need help finding your child's username or resetting their password, see the Student Username/Email Address and Password section above.

Logging In Using a Web Browser

1. Go to the PWCS Portal. 
2. Choose one of the following login methods:
   • QuickCard: Select the QuickCard option and use your device's camera to scan your child's QuickCard.
   • Username and Password: Enter your child's PWCS username and password.
3. Once logged in, select the app or resource your child would like to use.

Logging In Using the ClassLink App

Step 1: Install the App

Download the ClassLink LaunchPad app from your device's app store.

Step 2: Find PWCS

1. Open the ClassLink app.
2. Search for Prince William County.
3. Select Prince William County Public Schools from the results.

Be sure to select Prince William County Public Schools before attempting to log in.

Step 3: Log In

Choose one of the following login methods:

• QuickCard: Select the QuickCard option and use your device's camera to scan your child's QuickCard.
• Username and Password: Enter your child's PWCS username and password.

If logging in with a username and password, we recommend selecting Remember Password so your child does not have to reenter their password each time they use the app.

If you need help finding your child's username or resetting their password, see the Student Username/Email Address and Password section above.

Need Another Copy of Your Child's QuickCard?

QuickCards are available for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and for students in grades 3–5 who have an IEP.

If your child is eligible for a QuickCard and you need another copy, email Mr. Taylor at [email protected].

Please let me know whether you would like a digital copy emailed to you or a printed copy sent home with your child.

Student Login

Students have two ways to log in to Canvas.

Option 1: Log in through ClassLink

This is the easiest way for students to access Canvas.

1. Log in to ClassLink / PWCS Portal.
2. Select Canvas.
3. The student will automatically be logged in to their Canvas account.

Option 2: Log in Directly to Canvas

Students can also log in directly using their PWCS account.

1. Go to Canvas.
2. Enter the student's PWCS email address.
3. Enter the student's PWCS password.
4. Sign in.

If you don't know your student's PWCS email address or password, see the Student Username/Email Address and Password section above.

Parent Observer Access

Parents and guardians can create a Canvas Observer account to view their child's Canvas courses.

Before creating an Observer account, you'll need to generate a pairing code from your child's Canvas account.

Step 1: Generate a Pairing Code

Option A: Using a Web Browser

1. Go to Canvas and log in to your child's Canvas account using their PWCS email address and password.
2. Select Account from Global Navigation.
3. Select Settings.
4. Select Pair with Observer.
5. Copy the pairing code. You'll use this code when creating your Parent Observer account.

Option B: Using the Canvas Student Mobile App

1. Open the Canvas Student app and sign in to your child's account.
2. From the Dashboard, open the Menu.
3. Select Settings.
4. Select Pair with Observer.
5. The pairing code will appear on the screen.
6. Copy the pairing code. You'll use this code when creating your Parent Observer account.

Step 2: Create Your Parent Observer Account

Once you have your child's pairing code:

1. Go to Parent Observer Canvas
2. Select Parent of a Canvas User.
3. Enter the requested parent/guardian account information.
4. Enter the Student Pairing Code you generated from your child's account.
5. Complete the account registration.

Adding Another Student to Your Parent Account

If you have more than one child in PWCS, you do not need to create a separate Parent Observer account for each child.

1. Log in to your existing Canvas Parent Observer account.
2. Select Account.
3. Select Observing.
4. Enter the pairing code generated from your other child's Canvas account.

You can use the Observing page to see which students are currently connected to your account.

Using Canvas on a Mobile Device

Once you've created your Parent Observer account, you can access Canvas using the Canvas Student app on an Apple or Android device.

When signing in, select Prince William County Parents when prompted to find your school.

We recommend the Canvas Student app because it provides the best experience for viewing your child's Canvas courses.

Lexia Core5 is available on laptops, desktops, and supported tablets. Lexia Core5 is not available on phones due to screen-size requirements.

How your child accesses Lexia depends on the type of device they are using.

Using Lexia on a Laptop or Desktop

Students should always access Lexia through the PWCS Portal (ClassLink).

1. Log in to the PWCS Portal (ClassLink).
2. Select Lexia Core5.
3. ClassLink will open Lexia Core5 in your web browser and automatically sign your child in.

Students should not attempt to sign in directly through the Lexia website. PWCS students must launch Lexia through ClassLink for their account to be recognized correctly.

Using Lexia on a Tablet

Lexia Core5 requires the Lexia Core5 app when using a tablet. The program will not launch through your tablet's web browser.

Step 1: Install the Lexia Core5 App

Download the Lexia Core5 app from your tablet's app store.

The app must be installed before your child attempts to launch Lexia through ClassLink.

Step 2: Launch Lexia Through ClassLink

Even though the Lexia Core5 app is installed on the tablet, do not open the Lexia app directly to sign in.

Instead:

1. Open the ClassLink LaunchPad app.
2. Log in to your child's PWCS Portal account.
3. Select Lexia Core5 from ClassLink.
4. ClassLink will automatically open the Lexia Core5 app and sign your child in.

Important: PWCS students must launch Lexia Core5 through ClassLink every time they use it. Opening the Lexia Core5 app directly will not provide the correct PWCS sign-in.

Having Trouble Accessing Lexia?

If you need help logging in to the PWCS Portal, see the PWCS Portal (ClassLink) section above.

If you need help finding your child's username or resetting their password, see the Student Username/Email Address and Password section above.

SuccessMaker is accessed through Canvas and runs in your device's web browser. Students do not need to download a separate SuccessMaker app.

If you need help getting your child logged in to Canvas, see the Canvas section above.

Finding SuccessMaker in Canvas

1. Log in to your child's Canvas account.
2. Open your child's Math course.
3. Select Modules.
4. Look for the module containing the SuccessMaker link.
5. Select the SuccessMaker link to launch the program.

Can't find the SuccessMaker link? Teachers organize their Canvas modules differently, so the module containing SuccessMaker may be near the top, middle, or bottom of the Modules page.

Using SuccessMaker on an iPad

Before launching SuccessMaker on an iPad, you will need to change one Safari setting:

1. Open the iPad's Settings.
2. Find and select Safari.
3. Find Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.
4. Turn Prevent Cross-Site Tracking OFF.
5. Return to Canvas and select the SuccessMaker link from your child's Math course.

Why Do I Have to Change This Setting?

SuccessMaker needs to communicate between different websites when it launches from Canvas. Safari's Prevent Cross-Site Tracking setting can block that communication and prevent SuccessMaker from opening correctly.

We realize changing a privacy-related browser setting to make an educational program work may seem unusual. Unfortunately, this setting must be turned off for SuccessMaker to launch properly on an iPad.

If SuccessMaker still does not launch after changing this setting, close Safari and try opening it from Canvas again.

IXL is accessed through the PWCS Portal (ClassLink). Students can use IXL in a web browser or through the standalone IXL app.

If you need help getting your child logged in to ClassLink, see the PWCS Portal (ClassLink) section above.

Using IXL in a Web Browser

This is the simplest way to access IXL.

1. Log in to the PWCS Portal (ClassLink).
2. Select IXL.
3. IXL will open in your web browser and automatically sign your child in.

The browser version of IXL provides the same experience whether you access it on a laptop, desktop, or through ClassLink.

Using the IXL App

IXL also offers a standalone app for supported devices. The app looks a little different from the browser version and includes some additional features, including games that are not available in the browser version.

Step 1: Install the IXL App

Download the IXL app from your device's app store.

Step 2: Sign In to the IXL App Through ClassLink

The first time you set up the IXL app, you'll need to launch it through the browser version of ClassLink.

Important: Do not use the ClassLink LaunchPad app for this initial setup. You must access ClassLink through your device's web browser.

1. Open a web browser on your device.
2. Go to the PWCS Portal (ClassLink). 
3. Log in to your child's ClassLink account.
4. Select IXL.
5. ClassLink will open the IXL app and automatically sign your child in.

After the Initial Setup

Once you've completed these steps, the IXL app will remain signed in to your child's account.

From that point forward, your child can open the IXL app directly without going through ClassLink each time.

Minecraft Education is an educational version of Minecraft that allows students to explore, create, collaborate, and learn through interactive experiences.

Prince William County Public Schools provides Minecraft Education licenses for all students in Kindergarten through 12th grade at no cost to families. Students can use their PWCS accounts to access Minecraft Education both at school and at home!

Supported Devices

Minecraft Education is available on a variety of devices, including:

• Windows: Windows laptops and desktop computers

• Mac: Apple laptops and desktop computers

• iPad: Apple iPads

• iPhone: Apple iPhones

• Android: Android phones and tablets

• Chromebook: Devices running ChromeOS

Your device must meet Minecraft Education's minimum system requirements. You can check whether your device is compatible by visiting the Minecraft Education System Requirements page.

Installing Minecraft Education

1. Visit the Minecraft Education Download Page. 

2. Select your device's platform.

3. Download and install Minecraft Education using the instructions provided for your device.

4. Once installed, open the Minecraft Education app.

Important: Make sure you download Minecraft Education, not the regular version of Minecraft. These are separate applications.

Logging In to Minecraft Education

Students use their PWCS email address and password to sign in to Minecraft Education.

1. Open the Minecraft Education app.

2. Select Sign In.

3. Enter your child's PWCS email address.

4. Enter your child's PWCS password.

5. Complete any additional sign-in prompts to access Minecraft Education.

Once signed in, your child can begin exploring and creating in Minecraft Education!

Need Help Logging In?

If you don't know your child's PWCS email address or password, or need help resetting their password, see the Student Username/Email Address and Password section above.