Marion County Schools Email FAQ


   In January of this year (2007), we were notified by the State Department they had awarded the Internet Access contact to Bellsouth and not to ENA. Although this change would not affect your day to day operation (how you accessed the internet) it would affect our TenNash email system. Your k12tn.net email address is provided by ENA and if ENA had lost the state contract, we would no longer have a K12tn.net address and would have to switch to a Bellsouth.net.

   The Technology Department decided, since the state contract was up for "Re-Bid" ever 7 years, we would start our own email system so this wouldn't happen again. We have chosen to use Microsoft Exchange to act as our email solution and Outlook Web Access (OWA) as our main email client.

   We have created this site to help you get familiar with OWA and answer a few questions that you might have.



Note: Rest your Mouse pointer over any image to see a larger picture.

What is OWA?
What is my new email address?
What is mctns.net?
What does the Login screen look like?
What does the Main screen look like?
How do I access my account?
What should I do First?
How do I change my password?
I have New Mail but I can't see it?
When I refresh my screen, all I see is the login page.
What do the Toolbar buttons do?
Should I close Internet Explored or Log Off?
My emails will not print right?
What about K12TN.net E-Mail Lists I'm subscribed to?
What about my K12TN.net Email Account?
What about common Email Addresses and Distribution Lists?



What is OWA?
   OWA or Outlook Web Access, is a webmail service of Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0 and later, originally called Exchange Web Connect (EWC).

   OWA is used to access e-mail, calendars, contacts, tasks and other mailbox contents while on the go. Microsoft provides Outlook Web Access as part of Exchange Server to allow users to connect remotely via Web browsers. Most of the functionality in Microsoft Outlook is also available in this web "look-alike".

   OWA can be used from your classrooms, homes and any other location that provides connectivity to the Web. The OWA interface available in Exchange 2000 and Exchange 2003 is available in two flavors. The "Premium" UI is rendered for Internet Explorer 5 and later. The "Basic" UI is rendered for other browsers. All Administrator and Teacher PC's have at least IE 6.0 or better. So when you logon to your email account, leave the Client and Security radio buttons set as they are.


What is my new email address?

username@mctns.net

   Your new account will be your username + mctns.net. We have purchased our own domain name and are no longer locked into another company's system or policies. You will be getting your new username and password as soon as you are added to the system.


What is mctns.net?

MarionCountyTenNesseeSchools.net


What does the login screen look like?



What does the Main screen look like?

How do I access my account?

After you receive your username and password Click here! to access your email account. Before logging on, add this site to your favorites, or "Right Click" in the blue area and choose "Create Shortcut". This will create a shortcut to the site on your desktop.

What should I do First?

   The first thing you should do after logging on to your account is
CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD!


How do I change my password?

   NO ONE SHOULD EVER KNOW YOUR PASSWORD!!! YOU SHOULD NEVER SET YOUR COMPUTER TO SAVE ANY OF YOUR PASSWORDS!!! If someone has your password, or if you have selected to have Internet Explorer save your passwords, anyone can access your email account and send an email on YOUR behalf. It is always good practice to not save passwords.

To change your password.
1) Click "Options" in the lower left corner of the screen.
2) Scroll to the bottom of the Options Screen and click on the "Change Password" button.



3) After clicking the "Change Password" button, a second window is opened.



3a) Domain... Do Not Change This Field!

3b) Username... Type your username in this field.

3c) Old Password... Type your current password in this field.

3d) New Password... Type your new password in this field. Note: New passwords MUST be at least 6 charterers long and are case sensitive.

3e) Confirm New Password... Re-Type your new password and click OK.

3f) After clicking OK, click on " Back to "https://mail.mctns.net/exchange/username/?Cmd=close

3g) Logoff and log back on with your new password.


I have New Mail but I can't see it?

   Your OWA screen is slipt into 3 sections. The far left is your Folders screen, the middle lists all your mail and the far right is the reading pane. OWA will only "Refresh" the folders section automatically. You might see something like this >, but you might not see the new message listed in your middle section. If this happens, simply click ONE on the icon to refresh your middle section.


When I refresh my screen, all I see is the login page.

   OWA is scheduled to automatically log you off after 1 hour of inactivity. This is setup to help secure your account if your leave your office or classroom or if you accidentally forget to logoff at the end of the day.

Simply enter your username and password and log back in.


What do the Toolbar buttons do?



The Help button on the toolbar is a great way to learn more about OWA. It describes in detail all the features of OWA.


Should I close Internet Explored or Log Off?

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS LOG OFF!!!

You should NEVER close Internet Explorer to exit OWA.
ALWAYS click on the "Log Off" button in the upper right hand corner to exit OWA. If you close IE instead of Loggin Off, someone could come in right behind you, start IE, go to the email website and access your account. They would not receive a prompt for a username and password.


My emails will not print right?

   Before you can print your emails, and make them look correct, you have to open them in a new window. Instead of clicking on them one time and reading them in the "Reading Pane", double clicking them will open them in a new windows. Then you can click the printer icon on the toolbar. After you print, just click on the X to close the message window.

Reset your mouse curser over the image to see a larger picture of the message screen.



What about K12TN.net E-Mail Lists I'm subscribed to?

   We can not have all the lists your are currently subscribed to be automatically forwarded to your new email address. To subscribe to the lists hosted at lists.k12tn.net, Click here, choose the lists you want to be added to and submit your information.

   Most list require you to "Confirm" your email address. After you submit your new email address, your will receive an email asking you to either Reply or Click on a link inside the email to confirm your new address.