Qmlativ Migration Overview

Our district has been gearing up for a major information system upgrade: transitioning from Skyward SMS 2.0 to Skyward Qmlativ in July 2025. This move promises enhanced functionality across key areas of student information, payroll, finance, and human resources.

To facilitate this transition, we're rolling out specialized training for Qmlativ, complete with a Training Learning Account (TLA) for hands-on experience with the new software. These training modules are assigned according to different employee groups, ensuring tailored learning experiences.

This project represents a significant undertaking for our district. Departments, including Payroll and Benefits, Business Services, Teaching and Learning Services, Technology, and Human Resources Services, have been involved in the planning and implementation stages. This includes meticulous migration planning, data refinement, and configuring training access to the Knowledge Hub Professional Development Center (PDC), and user security access to the TLA.

As with any major technology upgrade, there will be obstacles along the way. Your patience and flexibility are appreciated as we all endure the growing pains before experiencing the benefits that will come with Skyward Qmlativ.

Staff training and resources

March 2025 - Most district user groups, including counselors, psychologists, registrars, administrative assistants, administrators, bookkeepers, payroll, human resource services, and other office staff now have access to the TLA, which is the "sandbox" with our district data that staff can explore and experiment in without causing any damage to our real data.
May 2025- Basic Navigation training was provided to building staff.
August 2025- In-depth training will be provided to office staff and teachers. Employee Access training will also be provided to the remaining staff.

FAQs

What is Skyward Qmlativ and why is it so important?

Skyward Qmlativ is the latest iteration of Skyward SMS, an information system Medical Lake School District uses for data management of student, staff, and financial information, grades, scheduling, attendance, and all business services. Skyward SMS allows for the creation of reports our schools and departments rely on, while also offering important internal uses like payroll, tracking time off, billing and invoice payments, and numerous other uses. Nearly every staff member in the Medical Lake School District utilizes this system as part of their work each day, and some staff members in our school offices and central office use the tool multiple times per day.

Why change?

What does the transition to Skyward Qmlativ involve?

When does Skyward Qmlativ go live in the Medical Lake School District?

What are the "dark days" I am reading and/or hearing about?

“Dark days” refers to the period during migration when Skyward and Skyward Qmlativ will not be available. This signifies the final stages of the migration process and is expected to occur from July 16-July 30.

July 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. - All processes in SMS Completed.

Low balance alerts for food service accounts will also be temporarily unavailable.
InTouch payment system will be locked.
Existing Skyward mobile app will be unavailable.

July 16- 31, 2025 - Migration “Dark Days.” Data Migration, Database System Setup and Configuration, and 3rd Party Integrations.

In addition to "dark days," are there additional dates I need to be aware of?

Yes.

June 18, 2025 - Skyward Student Management will be unavailable for approximately 5 hours for year-end processing.
August 1, 2025 - Go Live for all Users Processing Begins
August 4-12 - Office Staff end user training
August 21, 2025- Teacher Training
In addition, during the “dark days” period, all account balance adjustments and changes to new and existing student information will be updated approximately two to three weeks after Skyward Qmlativ goes live.

What factored into the decision to roll this out?

When NEWESD is working with districts on a migration plan, they consider the size of the district they are working with, the software support team’s schedule and capacity to provide necessary support to migrating districts, as well as the impact on district processes (i.e., payroll, grading, student data, employee information, etc.). Districts also make internal plans to best assess when they will be prepared and best equipped to move forward with migration. Medical Lake School District began planning this migration in 2024 and was added to the July 2025 cohort by NEWESD when all factors were considered.

Is Skyward Qmlativ available as a mobile app?

As a parent/guardian, how does migrating to Skyward Qmlativ impact me?

For now, there are no changes. In July 2025, Skyward SMS will go dark for approximately two weeks as the database goes through the data migration tool. During this time, Skyward SMS will be inaccessible to everyone except those on the Qmlativ migration team. When Skyward Qmlativ is launched, the parent/guardian experience should be seamless, with information available to parents/guardians just as before, existing within a new interface and platform.

After Aug 1, 2025, you will be able to access the new system using your existing login credentials. The Annual Student Verification process will be available at this time. Please make sure that your student’s health and contact information are accurate and current.

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Parents / Families

Teachers

Employees