The K12 Zone Report
July 23rd

๐ New Moderator Pop-Up Settings โ Hereโs What Youโre Seeing
To make it easier to manage your Zone before entry, moderators will now see a pop-up labeled โUpdate World Settings?โ when entering a world. This modal gives you quick control over student access and communication features.
๐ ๏ธ You may see some or all of the following options, depending on your worldโs status:
๐ This world is currently closed.
Check this box to open the world for students.
๐ก Youโll only see this option if the world is currently closed.
๐ Silent Mode is currently on.
Check this box to turn Silent Mode off, which allows video, audio, and chat.
โ
Box is checked by default.
๐ก Youโll only see this if Silent Mode is currently on.
๐ค Microphone Access is currently off.
Check this box to allow students to unmute and use their microphones.
๐ก Youโll only see this if mic access is currently turned off.
๐ท Camera Access is off.
Check this box to allow students to turn on their cameras.
๐ก Youโll only see this if camera access is currently turned off.
๐ What Students See: โBefore You Enterโฆโ Pop-Up
When students (non-admins) enter a world, they now get a quick overview of what to expect. This helps avoid confusion when certain features are restricted.
Hereโs what might appear:
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๐ค Microphones are off โ Their mic is off. They can raise their hand to ask for permission to speak.
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๐ท Cameras are off โ Camera is disabled. They can use "Audio Mode" to see more of the world.
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๐ฆ Spotlight is on โ Their movement and access to tools are limited while someone is presenting.
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๐ฅ Breakout Mode is on โ Students can only interact with others in their small group.
๐ This screen updates automatically based on which settings are active.
๐ Smarter, Smoother Classroom Zones โ Watch Whatโs New!
Big news for teachers: your Classroom Zone just got a major upgrade! These new tools make it easier than ever to manage, engage, and connect with students โ all without breaking your flow.
๐งฐ Whatโs New:
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Breakout Groups โ Instantly split students into small groups, no teleporting required.
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Spotlight Mode โ Lock the focus on your screen for presentations or performances.
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Raise Hand โ Students can now signal you with a click โ plus sound alerts in the Social Hub!
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Mic & Camera Control โ Toggle everyoneโs access in real time โ or turn off just one studentโs cam.
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Broadcast Recording โ Record your lesson while live broadcasting.
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Direct Message & Ban Tools โ Turn DMs on/off and apply platform-level bans from your dashboard.
๐ฅ See it all in action below!
๐ The K12 Zone Knowledge Base Is Now Live!
Whether you're brand-new to the Zone or a seasoned builder, weโve got great news:
The K12 Zone Knowledge Base is now live โ and itโs packed with step-by-step guides, visuals, and videos to help you make the most of your Zone.
๐ What youโll find inside:
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What is the K12 Zone?
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How to navigate and use student tools
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Creating, editing, and customizing your own classroom world
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Plus loads of tips, videos, and examples!
๐ฏ How to log in:
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Go to stridepdcenter.com/login
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Donโt know your credentials? Click โLost your password?โ
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Check your inbox for a password reset email from Stride Professional Development
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Set a new password and log in!
โ๏ธ Not in the system yet?
Fill out this quick form to get access.
โ Need help? Email:
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Stacy Kirshner: skirschner@k12.com
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Patricia (Trish) McShea: pmcshea@k12.com
๐๏ธ Build & Design Your Own Classroom Zone โ No Form Needed!
You can now create your own custom classroom, club, or event space directly in the K12 Zone โ instantly! ๐
Just click the orange โ button, choose a template, name your world, and assign your students. Itโs that simple. (How-To Video Below)
Once your space is live, level it up with Zone Design 101 โ a live, weekly training that covers:
โ
Layouts & object placement
โ
Interactive tools & student-friendly design
โ
Creative best practices
๐ [Register here for 2:00 PM CST]
๐ [Register here for 3:00 PM CST]
๐ฅ Zone Design Training Recording
If you can't wait for the next live training, feel free to watch the past recording below!
โฉ Catch up with these helpful recordings:
๐ฅ Tour a real classroom Zone โ see how one teacher brings her virtual room to life
๐ค Design with ChatGPT โ use AI to spark creative ideas and build faster
๐ฉ Have questions or need help? Feel free to email Nick Hoover at nhoover@k12.com.
๐ผ NEW DATE: Career Pathways in the K12 Zone โ Live Info Session
๐ Now happening Wednesday, July 30th at 1:00 PM ET
Curious how the K12 Zone can support career readiness and CTE goals? Join us for an updated info session packed with new ideas and real examples!
We'll explore:
๐ Creative ways to bring CTE programs into virtual spaces
๐ Best practices for implementing student leadership & workplace skills
๐ฌ A live Q&A for your school-specific questions
Whether you're a CRE Coordinator, counselor, or admin, this is your chance to reimagine what's possible for career pathways in the Zone.
โจ Letโs turn virtual space into real-world preparation!
๐ 80 Back-to-School Zone Activities โ Ready to Use!
Itโs never too early to start planning your first-week fun in the Zone! Weโve created a list of 80 ready-to-go activities, organized by grade band โ 20 for each (Kโ2, 3โ5, 6โ8, and 9โ12).
๐ก From emote games and classroom scavenger hunts to virtual murals and Connect 4 tournaments, this collection makes it easy to build excitement and connection right from day one.
๐ Use the tabs at the bottom of the doc to explore by grade level โ and start planning now!
๐จ Still Time to Host in the K12 Zone!
Summerโs flying, but itโs not too late to run a one-time activity โ and earn a $50 gift card when it runs in all 4 Zones!
๐ค Karaoke or trivia
๐ฎ Game tournament
๐ Read-aloud or story sketch
๐จ Art class or DIY craft
๐ง Snack demo
๐ Talent show or pet parade
๐ก We handle logistics โ you just show up!
๐ Got an idea? Send it in and weโll help make it happen.
๐ข National Zones Are Back โ And Ready for New Students!
๐ After a short break last week, the K12 National Zones are now open again โ Monday through Friday, 11 AMโ7 PM ET โ and newly enrolled students should now have access.
๐ Reminder: Students age 12 or under must have parent consent completed before they can enter.
๐ Weโve added a new walkthrough video to help parents through the consent process. Please feel free to share it with families to ensure a smooth login experience.
๐ Helpful Links:
โ
Available Worlds (Zone Login): zone.k12.com
โ
Zone Consent Site: www.consent.k12.com
๐ฅ Parent Consent Walkthrough Video โ See Below
Thanks for spreading the word โ weโre excited to welcome even more students into the Zone this summer!
๐ฎ National Zone Game Jam โ July 23!
Get ready for an epic after-school gaming event! The National Zone Game Jam is back and better than ever โ and this time weโre diving into Roblox favorites like:
๐ต๏ธ Mega Hide and Seek
๐ช๏ธ Natural Disaster Survival
๐ผ Adopt Me
๐ Color Block Bridge
๐ Where: 6โ8 National Zone
๐
When: Wednesday, July 23
๐ Event Starts at 4:00 PM EST
โฐ Please log in by 3:30 PM to get set up
This fun, interactive experience is all about community, connection, and friendly competition. ๐
๐ Register here!
Note: Students age 12 or under must have a signed parent consent form on file to participate.
Let the games begin!