CONNECTING EDUCATORS

Science came to life in Heidi Cobb’s classroom! Using our Maker/STEM Checkout egg incubator and brooder kit, students got a front-row seat to the final stages of development. The room was filled with anticipation as the class observed the very first "pip" of the shells and welcomed their new feathered friends into the world. Want to hatch some excitement in your room? Explore our available kits on the TeamJXN EdTech Website!

Ready to make professional learning fun? Join us for Invent-tory Playground, a high-energy STEAM open house for educators! Drop in anytime between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM to "test-drive" new tech tools, master gadgets, and brainstorm with peers. You’ll earn SCECHs, get a chance to win prizes, and enjoy our complimentary coffee and yogurt parfait bar.

The Essentials:

• What: Hands-on STEAM exploration.

• Perks: SCECHs, prizes, and free breakfast/coffee.

• When: July 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Drop-in)

• Where: Kratz Education Center

• Register at bit.ly/invent-tory

Join Team JXN on August 5th at 10:00 AM for a FREE and exclusive virtual session with Eric Curts, the creator of Control Alt Achieve.

In this deep dive, Eric will share his hand-picked "AI Toolbox", a practical tools and strategies designed to boost teacher productivity and spark student creativity. Don’t miss this chance to "reboot" your classroom with insights from a global leader in EdTech!

• 📅 When: August 5th @ 10:00 AM

• 📍 Where: Virtual Session

• 🔗 Register: bit.ly/ai-toolbox-curts

This isn't your typical sit-and-get professional development! It’s a "sandbox" style workshop, meaning less lecture and more playing with cool tools.

• Quick & Convenient: One-hour sessions running throughout June and July.

• Limited Space: Only 20 spots are available for each session, so grab yours before they're gone!

• Earn While You Learn: Free SCECHs and FREE summer goodies included - appetizers, ice cream, coffee, and more!

• Explore the Sessions: bit.ly/4srTyC6

• Secure Your Spot: bit.ly/SummerAISeries

Join us for a free, one-day workshop to become a Google Certified Educator Level 1, no prior experience needed! Learn essential skills, take the exam, and earn your certification, all in one day.

• When: June 18th from 8:30 AM -2:45 PM
• Where: JCISD KEC Building
• Food: Lunch will be included
• SCECH's: 5.25 SCECHs for free
• Register at: bit.ly/jcisd-google

Ready to level up your classroom materials? Join our FREE STEM & Lit Summer Design Series starting July 1st! This hands-on series empowers you to bridge the gap between literacy and STEM exploration.

In this series, you will:

• Design a custom lesson plan around a REMC Promoting STEM Through Literature book.

• Curate your very own "Lit Box" filled with STEM and literacy materials.

• Receive a $100–$150 budget to help cover your project supplies!

• Earn up to 6 SCECHs throughout the summer and school year phases.

Don't wait, only 2 seats remain! 👉 Learn More & Register at bit.ly/LitBoxDesign

There are two primary ways to request technical support:

1. Submit an Online Ticket: Visit the JCISD support portal at https://support.jcisd.org/. Click on "Submit a JCISD Technology Ticket" and log in with your district Google Account. Once logged in, you will be able to select the appropriate issue category and specific service before submitting your request.

2. Call the Service Desk: Create a support ticket by calling the Technology Service Desk directly at 517-768-5299.

Our tech team has been busy keeping everything running smoothly! We are thrilled to share that for the month of April, we successfully closed 1329 Tickets! From hardware fixes to software troubleshooting, our goal is to ensure that technology remains a powerful tool for learning rather than a distraction.

Need assistance? Don't forget, you can always reach out via the JCISD Support Portal or by calling the Service Desk at 517-768-5299.

As part of the JCISD Technology Services team, Jacob Anderson plays a vital role in ensuring that technology runs smoothly for the students and staff at Northwest Community Schools. Whether it’s troubleshooting hardware, assisting with network stability, or assisting with software integration, Jacob is a key face of the JCISD Tech Services Team. Thank you, Jacob, for all your hard work at Northwest!

Haley Lemle - Vandercook Lake

• From Esports to pilates, MACUL 2026 was a blast! I was hesitant to apply for MACUL because I wasn’t sure it would apply to my classroom. When I thought of a technology based conference I pictured a small event with people trying to sell tech that would be costly and impractical. I was blown away by MACUL and how different it was! I attended several sessions with well versed speakers who were informative and engaging. One session was on ESports and it was great to get more information about how the program works and can be realistically applied. The end session keynote speaker was very immersive and brought thought provoking ideas about AI. She offered simplified analogies on topics such as data mining and bias in regards to AI that I would love to share with my students. Aside from the sessions and speakers the trade floor was huge! I was able to explore programs that my school could purchase along with free tools and materials I can start applying this week! There were also many events to socialize and network with peers. I was able to attend several “fun” events like pilates in the presidential suite of the hotel and visit adoptable puppies. Everyone was friendly, helpful and very passionate about what they were there for. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend this event.

Dan Flack - East Jackson

• Thank you to REMC/Team JXN for the amazing adventure to MACUL 2026! This was my first time visiting downtown Grand Rapids. The excitement started when the Amway Grand Hotel assigned my wife and I a beautiful suite on Wednesday evening. The following day, the unique keynote "speech" given by Jordyn Zimmerman reminded us of why we entered the education field. I learned so much from sessions on virtual makerspace, micropodcasting, stop-motion animation, and STEAM design. Having my daughters visit from GVSU completed the trip. Thank you again for this scholarship that allowed me to become a better educator at East Jackson Community Schools.

Are you in charge of purchasing? The latest Spring 2026 Contract Updates video is now available, providing essential insights into REMC Save. Whether you are looking to optimize your budget or streamline your purchasing process, this session covers the critical changes you need to know. Watch the full update on MiStreamNet to ensure your organization is taking full advantage of the newest contracts and local resources.

Because AI can now mimic professional tone and branding perfectly, experts suggest leaning into human-only trust signals:

• Establish "Out-of-Band" Verification: If you receive an unusual request, verify it through a different channel, such as a quick phone call or an in-person conversation.

• Use Shared Passphrases: Create unique, offline phrases with your team to verify identity during sensitive digital requests.

• Enforce Strong MFA: Always enable Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) on all accounts to ensure a stolen password isn't enough to grant access.

• Set Data Guardrails: Be cautious about what information is entered into AI tools; avoid sharing personally identifiable information (PII) that could lead to data leakage.

Build K-12 cyber resilience with REMC’s free, four-part webinar series starting this May! Led by expert John McCarthy, these 75-minute virtual sessions offer practical strategies for teachers, IT staff, and administrators.

• Earn Credits: Each session is eligible for 1.5 SCECHs.

• Flexible: Attend one or all four to gain actionable security skills.

• Who: Ideal for anyone handling student data or school devices.

Webinar dates and topics: All sessions are 4:00–5:15 PM (Virtual).

• Malware Mayhem: Defend Your Devices from Hidden Threats - May 19, 2026
  

• Phishing 101: How Cybercriminals Trick You and How to NOT Take the Bait - May 26, 2026
  

• More Than a Password: Safeguarding Your Identity in a Digital World - June 2, 2026
  

• What’s Your Info Worth? Keeping Student and Personal Data Secure - June 9, 2026

• Ready to register? Visit the Cybersecurity & K-12 Education event page to select your date(s) and sign up..
  

Teachers, you can now record lessons and feedback without leaving your browser! The Google Vids Screen Recorder is a simple Chrome extension designed for quick, effective classroom content.

Key Features:

• One-Click Recording: Capture your screen, camera, or both from your toolbar.

• 30-Minute Limit: Plenty of time for full lesson walkthroughs or tutorials.

• Easy Sharing: Finished videos open instantly in Google Vids for quick editing and link sharing.

Try it out: Put in a tech ticket to have the extension installed from the Chrome Web Store.

Educators are finding brilliant ways to use AI as more than just a shortcut. In the Ditch That Textbook community, teachers are using NotebookLM to:

• Analyze Data: Spotting hidden trends in student testing results.

• Simplify Curriculum: Navigating dense packages to find what matters most.

• Engage Students: Using AI-generated audio "podcasts" as unit hooks.

• Deepen Literacy: Having students "chat" with novels to find evidence.

• Create Content: Turning research into instructional videos via Google Vids.

Whether it’s anticipating misconceptions or validating student creativity, this tool is transforming how we teach and learn. For more information, check out the blog.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has recently launched a comprehensive suite of resources to help districts navigate the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. Whether you are just starting the conversation or looking to integrate AI into your Computer Science curriculum, MDE’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Starter Guide for Districts and Learning Alignment Framework provide the roadmap needed to ensure safe and effective implementation.

A new trend called "AI Slop" is filling social media feeds with low-quality, AI-generated content. While these videos often feature cute animals or animations that look kid-friendly, they can be deceptive.

The Basics:

• Deceptive Content: Videos may appear educational but often contain incorrect information or inappropriate themes.

• The Risks: Because they are easy to mass-produce, kids can quickly stumble upon "brainrot" content or even slander pages that use AI to create false posts about students and teachers.

• Watch Closely: The best protection is active supervision and teaching kids media literacy so they can spot "hallucinations" or errors.

Resources:

• AI Toolkit for Families: A guide to navigating AI with your children.

• Media Literacy Basics: Help kids tell the difference between fact and fiction.

Bring movie magic to your classroom! Student-created stop-motion films help learners visualize complex concepts like symmetry and measurement by turning abstract ideas into "math stories." This hands-on approach sparks deep engagement and collaborative problem-solving.

• Ready to animate your next lesson? Contact your EdTech Consultant to brainstorm a project, borrow gear, or get a quick tutorial. We have the tools and apps ready for you!

• Need an example? Check out this YouTube Video showing fractions - https://youtu.be/-QVJord2JP8?si=dPeHTp1AqfqQZtYo

Ready to turn your classroom into a digital laboratory? In the recent Edutopia article, 7 Digital Resources to Add to Your Elementary Science Tool Kit, educators are discovering new ways to bring the wonders of the natural world to life through technology. This guide breaks down high-quality, student-friendly tools, ranging from virtual microscopes to interactive weather trackers, that empower elementary learners to observe, hypothesize, and record their discoveries like professionals. Upgrade your science block with these teacher-vetted resources that make "doing science" accessible for every student, whether they are exploring the stars or the soil.

• What: Professional learning with a rustic twist. Includes lodging, dinner, and breakfast.

• When: June 6–7, 2026

• Where: Hartley Outdoor Education Center

• Spaces are limited, so grab your bunk early!
• 👉 Register at bit.ly/outsideclassroom26

Malware and ransomware can strike anytime - locking down files and stealing sensitive data. Join REMC for Malware Mayhem: Defending Devices from Hidden Threats to learn how to prevent attacks and keep your personal and professional devices safe from cybercriminals.

• When: May 19 | 4:00–5:15 p.m.
• Sign up via the link - https://www.solutionwhere.com/WW/Aspx/Public/Search/ShowSession.aspx?sessionId=3mec2c0bx4cojx1mnnww2d2x2%2f26%2f20261%3a50%3a55+PM989&cId=47&pCId=0

Ready to see how generative AI can elevate teaching, learning, and school operations? The REMC Association of Michigan is continuing its Generative AI Webinar Series - virtual sessions designed for everyone, from AI beginners to those ready for advanced applications.

• Practical strategies you can use right away.
• Tools and ideas to integrate AI responsibly and effectively.
• FREE SCECH credits while you learn.
• If you’ve been curious about AI (or want to go deeper), this is your sign. Register today: bit.ly/remcai2026

Join REMC for a collaborative learning experience using the Modern Classrooms Project’s free course. You’ll pause, reset, and build a local support system while designing a blended, self-paced, and mastery-based classroom that centers student growth and connection. Grounded in a proven instructional framework, this opportunity helps you leverage technology to support authentic learning and social-emotional development.

• Registration closes June 10th — don’t miss it!
• Sign up at https://www.solutionwhere.com/WW/Aspx/Public/Search/ShowSession.aspx?sessionId=3mec2c0bx4cojx1mnnww2d2x1%2f31%2f20269%3a09%3a53+AM768&cId=47&pCId=0

With the help of an AI bot, Glint takes your prompt and creates visuals that you can then hear spoken aloud. Think of an AAC (communication) app but for visuals. Create schedules, first/then boards, social stories, checklists, and more! Glint uses Symbol Stix symbols which is the same set you see across JCISD, but can also be personalized using Google images. Share visuals easily with parents and fellow educators as well! Make 8 boards each month for free or purchase a monthly subscription or annual plan. Glint https://nerchat.com/

Unsure about assistive technology and what tools and devices we offer for trials? Check out our AT Inventory Catalog on our AT website! This doc lists just about everything we have, from low-tech to high-tech.

• AT Loans Due Back Soon! If you have an AT loan, it needs to be returned by Friday, May 29, 2026 at the latest. Due to the construction at North Campus, please return your loan to JCISD Central Campus’s main office. Contact your AT Coordinator if you have any questions or to make other arrangements!

TeamJXN Disclaimer: Information and resources shared in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement. While we strive for accuracy, it's always a good idea to verify details, especially those related to specific systems or processes, by submitting a support ticket or contacting the technology department. Please use discretion when implementing suggestions.

Email:

• kellie.delossantos@jcisd.org
• paul.smith@jcisd.org
• jeanelle.wonders@jcisd.org

Instagram: @edtechteamjxn

Bluesky: @edtechteamjxn.bsky.social