CONNECTING EDUCATORS

Bring your curriculum to life with the Maker-STEAM Checkout’s kit of 12 Meta Quest 3S VR Headsets. Designed for students ages 10+, this kit allows your class to explore 3D environments, historical landmarks, and biological structures, in a way that is hands-on and memorable.

Ready to dive in? Reserve the Meta Quest 3S VR Kit here!

✅TeamJXN's checkout and website will only be available to those using their school profile.

We all love a budget-friendly tool, but in EdTech, "free" often means the student is the product. Before you introduce a new app to your classroom, consider these hidden risks:

• Security & Data Loss: Free apps often lack the "enterprise-grade" backups and security of paid tools, leaving student work vulnerable.

• Ad Disruptions: Constant pop-ups don't just distract, they can lead students to inappropriate content.

• Privacy Compliance: Many free tools monetize student data or tracking, which can trigger FERPA/COPPA violations.

The Takeaway: Before you sign up, ask: How is this company making money? If the answer is ads or data, it might be worth a second thought.

We are excited to spotlight Austin Boyce, our Region 2 Technician for Napoleon, Michigan Center, and Davinci. Austin is a key part of our team, ensuring technology in our schools runs smoothly every day. Whether he's troubleshooting hardware or supporting our network, he is a dedicated professional who works hard to make sure technology is always an asset to learning. Next time you see Austin in your building, please join us in thanking him for all he does to keep us connected!

March was a high-speed month for the JCISD Technology Services team! Our techs have been crisscrossing the county to keep your classrooms connected and your hardware humming.

• 1365 Tickets Resolved! Tackling everything from login issues to network upgrades across our partner districts.

A huge thank you to our dedicated team for their hard work in keeping our schools running smoothly!

Ready to level up your classroom materials? Join our 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, seats are limited! 👉 Learn More & Register at bit.ly/LitBoxDesign

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

What if your lesson plans wrote themselves while you enjoyed the summer sun? (Okay, almost!) Our Summer AI Series is taking over local community favorites to show you the ropes of prompt engineering and time management. It’s a "sandbox" style workshop, meaning less lecture, more playing with cool tools. Come discover how to automate the "busy work" and keep the creative spark alive!

• 20 Spots Available for each session
• One-Hour Sessions will run June-July
• More information about each session can be found at bit.ly/4srTyC6
• Registration at bit.ly/SummerAISeries

Jennifer Hicks - Arnold Elementary - Michigan Center

• Attending the MACUL 2026 conference provided a transformative look into the intersection of innovation and the classroom, with a heavy emphasis on the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence. From prompt engineering to building custom Gems for productivity, to leveraging Google tools and Canva’s AI suite for streamlined lesson planning, the sessions highlighted how technology reduce teacher workloads while enhancing student engagement. Beyond AI, hands-on workshops featuring 3D printing and LEGO® Education underscored the importance of fostering computational thinking and tangible problem-solving skills in early elementary education. Ultimately, these tools serve to amplify human curiosity, and I am excited to bring these creative and high-tech strategies to my 2nd-grade students at Arnold Elementary.

Jessica Mejia - East Jackson Elementary

• I have been to MACUL numerous times but the energy at this year's golden anniversary was unmatched, especially seeing how far we've come from the early days of "computer users" to the cutting-edge AI-powered instruction discussed in so many sessions. Exploring Mission.io was a clear highlight; its ability to turn standard-aligned STEM and literacy lessons into immersive, collaborative "missions" is going to be a game-changer for student engagement and real-time skill tracking in my classroom. When paired with the latest online math tools like GeoGebra and Ampilfy, these resources provide a powerful toolkit for personalizing learning and fostering critical thinking. This conference wasn't just a look back at the last 50 years—it was a definitive launchpad for the future of Michigan education.

As we embrace the power of AI to help with lesson planning and drafting IEP goals, it is vital to remember that data privacy is our first priority. While AI tools can save us hours of work, they are only as safe as the information we give them.

To stay compliant with FERPA and protect our students, follow these essential guidelines:

• No PII (Personally Identifiable Information): Never type names, birthdates, or student ID numbers into an AI prompt.

• Anonymize Your Data: Instead of "Marcus Johnson," use "Student A" or "a fourth-grade student."

• The "Desk Rule": Before hitting send, ask yourself: Could someone use what I just typed to identify a specific student? If the answer is maybe, rewrite it.

• Use the Persona Method: You can get high-quality drafts by describing the need (e.g., "a student who struggles with auditory processing") rather than the person.

AI is a draft-builder; you are the professional of record. Use these tools responsibly to keep our students' sensitive information secure.

Nowadays, scammers are becoming increasingly creative in how they attempt to take people’s money. Calls, emails, websites, and advertisements are all common methods used to target individuals. However, there is another issue that can be even more serious than financial loss: personal information theft.

• Companies and data brokers collect personal information in many simple ways. For example, when a website asks for your age or location, that is considered personal data. While this may seem harmless, over time this information can be combined to determine your interests, predict your behavior, and influence the advertisements you see.
• Social media is another major source of personal information exposure. For instance, posting about being at a specific location, such as a beach or restaurant, can lead to targeted advertising. More importantly, it can also unintentionally reveal your location to others. Repeatedly sharing posts from the same places can make it easier for someone to track patterns in your activity.
• In addition, data breaches remain a significant concern. When companies are hacked and their data is leaked online, personal information can become accessible to a wide audience.

There are several steps individuals can take to better protect their personal information.

• Avoid providing unnecessary information when prompted by websites.
• Be mindful of what is shared on social media, as limiting personal information online can reduce potential risks.
• Additionally, tools such as pop-up blockers and data removal services can help manage and reduce your digital footprint.
• Taking these precautions can help improve both online safety and overall personal security.

Sports betting ads are everywhere these days. Between fake apps, deepfake endorsements, and "guaranteed win" schemes, the scams ramp up around big sporting events. Here's how to get ahead of it even in the midst of March Madness. Know the signs and learn more from this Common Sense Media article.

Looking for a quick "brain break"? Google has hidden several interactive surprises, or Easter Eggs, directly in its search results.

According to the TCEA TechNotes Blog, here are a few to try:

• Quick, Draw!: A fast-paced AI sketching game.

• Blob Opera: Create real-time opera harmonies by dragging animated characters.

• Built-in Tools: Search "Spinner" for a digital wheel or "Metronome" to keep a steady beat.

• Animal Sounds: Search "Lion sound" or "Tiger sound" for instant high-quality audio.

• 6 7: Go to Google and type 6 7 and press enter. See what happens!

• Whether for a classroom hook or a moment of digital joy, these hidden gems are just a search away!

Have you noticed the "Ask Gemini" button in the top right corner of your Chrome browser? Gemini in Chrome is a built-in AI assistant that lives in a side panel. How can teachers use it?

• Instant Summaries: Open a long educational article or a dense research paper and ask Gemini to "Summarize this page into five bullet points" for a quick lesson hook.

• "Auto-Browse" Tasks: Use it to help automate the "busy work," like drafting emails to parents based on a school calendar or researching local venues for an upcoming field trip.

• Lesson Brainstorming: Keep your curriculum standards open in one tab and ask Gemini to "Suggest three creative activities based on this page."

How to get started:

1. Click the Ask Gemini button in the top right of your Chrome window.

2. Type a question or a request related to the page you are currently viewing. Click the + to add other tabs to your request.

3. Watch it work its magic!

Day of AI and Common Sense Media have teamed up to release a free AI Literacy Family Toolkit. This resource is designed to help educators and parents navigate the world of artificial intelligence together through a "human-first" lens.

Why it’s worth a look:

• Ready-to-Go: Includes Presentation Slides and an Implementation Guide for hosting family workshops.

• Bite-Sized Learning: Features three short videos and discussion guides that break down AI ethics, privacy, and school use.

• Conversation Starters: Practical tools to help students use AI thoughtfully and responsibly.

• Explore the full resource: Day of AI | Family Resources

Stop chasing every new app and start using technology with purpose. Edutopia’s latest "playbook" is a curated collection of teacher-tested strategies designed to help you manage tech routines, navigate generative AI, and—most importantly—know when to unplug to keep human connection at the center of your classroom.

What’s inside:

• Smart Selection: How to choose tools that actually amplify learning.

• Skill Building: Filling the gaps in students' foundational tech skills.

• Accessibility: Making digital content inclusive for all learners.

• Creation: Moving students from passive consumers to creative makers.

Ready to swap lesson plans for starlight? Join us for 2026 Outside The Classroom, an exclusive 24-hour overnight retreat for educators to unplug and reconnect.

• 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

Ready to boost digital literacy in your classroom? Join our FREE, hands-on webinar series designed for grades 5–9! Whether you’re a tech pro or just starting out, these sessions offer practical strategies to make digital learning meaningful and fun.

Webinar Schedule (4:30 – 5:30 PM):

• April 22: Computational Thinking

• May 6: Interactives

Each session includes a curriculum walkthrough, an interactive tool demo, and ready-to-use resources. Register now to secure your spot!

Spring is a great time to learn new skills! REMC courses can help you enhance student engagement and technology integration skills immediately into your classroom. Our courses provide innovative, practical strategies to enhance your teaching practice. Courses are self-paced and offer 10 FREE SCECHs. REMC instructors offer multiple live support sessions to help you get the most out of your learning and set you up for success. You must attend one and may attend more depending on your availability and needs.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 29th, each course begins on Monday, May 4th. Through the support of REMC SAVE’s vendor partners, all courses are FREE and there are no SCECH fees. Don’t miss out on these informative learning opportunities!

Check out May 2026 courses here:

• AI Prompting Essentials for Teaching

• Cybersecurity Practices

• Educational Technology: Strategic Leadership

• Engage, Create, Collaborate: Digital Tools for Today’s Learners

• Ignite Learning Through Media Creation

• Integrating Technology Into Your K-5 Classroom

• Make It Stick: Presenting for Adult Learners

• OER to Support Michigan’s Literacy Essentials

• Power Up: Meaningful Data

• Storytelling to Enhance Teaching

• Student-Centered Personalized Learning

• Using Universal Design for Learning and AI to Reach All Students

Register by Wednesday, Wednesday, April 29th. You will receive a welcome email with the course information prior to the course start date. If you have questions or need further assistance with your course registration, please email Sue Schwartz - sueschwartz@remc.org.

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

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..
  

If you missed one of our newsletters, you can access them from our website. Browse past editions at https://sites.google.com/jcisd.org/edtech/newsletter

Need to create a social story for a student? Struggling to find a story that holds interest for a student? Have someone who just loves a particular topic? Create a storybook using Google Gemini Storybook!

These stories can also be read aloud!

• Check out this quick tutorial: Create AI Storybooks with Google Gemini
• Remember, be specific! The better the prompt, the better the outcome!

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.

• Check it out: AT Inventory Catalog

Our last AT Live! Training sessions will be hosted on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Please see WisdomWhere for more information!

Need help? Did your printer stop working? Can't login? The Internet broke? 😉 Contact the tech department by putting in a ticket at Tech Support!

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.

Want to try something you see here or have questions? Please feel free to connect with our team anytime!

Email:

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

Website: edtech.jcisd.org
Location: 6700 Browns Lake Road, Jackson, MI, United States
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Twitter: @edtechjxn

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Bluesky: @edtechteamjxn.bsky.social