...
A: Yes, set the date in the past, publish the assignment, and give yourself an extension. Then toggle over to student in the upper right hand corner and you will have student view of the assignment without any other active students in your class seeing it.
(current)
(forthcoming ~3/26/~ May 20)
Note: as the primary instructor you are automatically enrolled in your own class as a student. Your TA's and other listed instructors are not–they will need to be added as students as well.
...