How to use the SMHS student portal

Check the bell schedule before opening other tools. Knowing the current period, the next transition, and any schedule variation gives the rest of the dashboard context. Treat the schedule as a planning aid and confirm unusual event-day details with official school communications.

The announcement area is the next place to look. It can surface portal-specific notices or reminders without requiring you to open every module.

In Columns mode, move cards between the left and right columns so the tools you use most often appear where you expect them. The layout is saved in your browser, so changing computers or clearing browser storage may restore the default arrangement.

On a wider screen, Free mode lets you position and resize modules. Use it when you want the schedule and one or two active tools visible together. If the layout becomes cluttered, use Reset layout rather than moving every card back manually.

Use Quick Links for established services such as Aeries, Microsoft 365, Teams, Naviance, and Turnitin. Use the Tech Help card when the problem concerns a school account, managed device, or service that needs staff access.

Links to external services open outside the portal and may have their own sign-in and privacy rules. Check the destination address before entering a password, especially when following a link from a message or shared document.

Dashboard preferences such as card order, layout mode, and timer choices can be stored in the browser. Account-based features may use a signed-in session. Necessary storage keeps these features working; advertising storage remains optional and is controlled through the privacy choices prompt.

You can use the main public dashboard and these guides without creating an account. Features inside the Vault may require sign-in because they store or share user-specific information.