Hi Porter Patriots!
My name is Dr. Helain Nicholson and I am a native Chicagoan. I have been an educator for the past 17 years. I received a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University, Chicago, a masters' degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, from the University of Phoenix. I have taught kindergarten, 1st grade, and K-8th grade art. This is my 2nd year teaching Art at Porter.
Mrs. Mergler and I look forward to working with your children in September! We can't wait to see the masterpieces that our students will create this year! :-)
Please feel free to contact me at: nicholhd@pwcs.edu
Office Hours: 11:30 - 1:00
Mondays: Virtual Learning
Tuesday - Friday: We will meet on Zoom
Consider Downloading the Canvas App on your Smartphone
The Canvas by Instructure app is the mobile version of Canvas that helps you stay current with your courses anywhere you go. Download the FREE Canvas app on Android and iOS devices.
Student App
Teacher App
Parent App
We will meet on Zoom to begin the school year! Find your link below.
All lessons will be found in Canvas.
Click on Porter's Instructional Technology Page below for helpful hints:
Porter Instructional Technology Page
ParentVue - Access your student's information and username for using Office 365 and Canvas
-If you are unsure of your password, go to "More Options", then "Forgot Password" and enter your email address and a link will be sent to you
-If you have never used ParentVue, click "More Options" then "Activate Account"
Password Reset - Use this if your child is new to PWCS or forgot their password. You will need:
-Your child's username (from ParentVue)
-ID/lunch number (available in ParentVue)
-Birthdate
Using Canvas for Students
Watch this video tutorial
1. Go to the Porter Traditional website
2. Click on "Student Login" in the upper right-hand corner. This link is on every PWCS webpage.
3. Log on to your child's Canvas account, by typing his/her Office 365 email address username@pwcs-edu.org. If you do not know your child's Office 365 email address, log in to ParentVue and click on "Student Info".
4. Click "Next"
5. Type your child's Office365 password.
6. Click "Sign In." If you child is unsure of their password, or is new to PWCS, go to Password Reset
Using Canvas for Parents
Parents can set up an observer account to monitor their child's learning in Canvas and communicate with their child's teacher. You will need a pairing code for each child and for each observer. Follow these steps to access that pairing code and log into your parent account:
1. Log into your child's Canvas account using the following steps above.
2. Click on "Account"
3. Click "Settings"
4. Click "Pair with Observer"
5. Now you will see the pairing code for your child. Write it down and use it within 7 days.
6. You will use this pairing code to create your Canvas parent observer account. Go to the Canvas login page.
7. Click on "Click Here for an Account"
8. Fill in the information including your pairing code and start participating.
9. If you use the Canvas Parent app on your phone, you will be asked to find your school. Search for "Prince William County Public Schools - Parents". You can then click "Create Account." Then fill in the requested information including your pairing code.
10. If you have more than one child, log into your parent Canvas account. Click on "Account" on the left side in your navigation. Select "Observing". Click on "+Student" and add pairing codes for your other children using the instructions above.
