Smore logo
remove_red_eye 2.3K
page background

The K12 Zone Report

September 17th

The K12 Zone Report September 17th
The K12 Zone ReportSeptember 17th
Want this newsletter sent directly to you? Teachers, click here to subscribe!

๐ŸŽฅ Pro Tip: How to Add Videos to Your Zone ๐ŸŽฅ ๐ŸŽฅ Pro Tip: How to Add Videos to Your Zone ๐ŸŽฅ

One of the most common questions we hear is: โ€œHow do I add videos to my Zone?โ€ The good news is โ€” there are three simple ways to do it:

1๏ธโƒฃ Media Tab โ€“ Add a direct video link (or audio only) to an asset.
2๏ธโƒฃ Links Tab โ€“ Use an embed link from YouTube or another source and choose how it opens (modal, drawer, or new tab).
3๏ธโƒฃ Video Player Asset โ€“ Drop in a video screen from the Scene Library, resize it, and upload or select an MP4 file to play.

With these options, you can embed walkthroughs, lessons, music, or announcements directly into your Zone โ€” making it more engaging and interactive for students.

๐ŸŽฅ Watch the quick video below for a step-by-step walkthrough!

All the Ways to Add Video Content to a Zone

๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿ’ƒ Encourage Your Students to Join the K12 Zone Dance Team! ๐ŸŽถ ๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿ’ƒ Encourage Your Students to Join the K12 Zone Dance Team! ๐ŸŽถ

This October, the K12 Zone is bringing all Kโ€“12 students from every K12 school together for a Thriller Dance performance during the Esports Homecoming Halftime Show โ€” and we need your help spreading the word!

Please share this opportunity with your students and families:

โœจ No experience required โ€” just energy and excitement!
โœจ Students will learn the moves in practice sessions inside the Zone.
โœจ Theyโ€™ll submit a short video and be featured in the big Homecoming video premiere.

๐Ÿ“… Practice Schedule

  • Tuesday, Sept. 30 @ 4:00 PM ET

  • Thursday, Oct. 2

  • Tuesday, Oct. 7

  • Thursday, Oct. 9

๐Ÿ“น Video Submission Window: Oct. 13โ€“15
๐ŸŽฅ Final Video Premiere: Esports Homecoming Halftime Show

๐Ÿ‘‰ Please encourage students to sign up here: Dance Team Registration

๐Ÿ‚ Help Us Spread the Word: Fall Festival in the K12 Zone! ๐Ÿ‚ ๐Ÿ‚ Help Us Spread the Word: Fall Festival in the K12 Zone! ๐Ÿ‚

Big things are coming to the National K12 Zones this October โ€” and we need your help making sure students and families know about it!

Throughout October, the Zones will feature new games, fresh activities, and surprise events designed to keep students engaged and connected.

๐ŸŽ‰ The celebration builds all month and culminates in Homecoming Spirit Week starting October 20th, featuring:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ An Esports live broadcast

  • ๐ŸŽค Halftime entertainment

  • ๐ŸŽจ Daily theme days

  • ๐ŸŽ Special prizes and surprises

๐Ÿ‘‰ Please begin sharing this with your students and families so they can mark their calendars and join in the fun. Letโ€™s make October unforgettable in the K12 Zone!

๐Ÿš€ Whatโ€™s New in the K12 Zone ๐Ÿš€ Whatโ€™s New in the K12 Zone

Big updates have just landed in the Zone โ€” hereโ€™s whatโ€™s new for teachers and moderators:

๐ŸŽฅ Welcome Videos
Managers can now upload a short welcome video to any world. Students will see it the first time they enter, setting the tone and expectations right away.

๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Screen Share Request Queue
Students can now request permission to share their screen. Teachers can approve or deny each request and even stop a screen share at any time โ€” giving you more control and flexibility.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Gather Group Feature
Need to bring everyone together? You can now select students from the user list and instantly teleport them to your location or a specific landmark zone.

These new tools make it easier than ever to welcome students, manage classroom activities, and keep everyone connected in the Zone.

K12 Zone Updates: Welcome Video, Screen Share, and Gather Group

โœจ Bring Your Passions to Life in the National Zone! โœจ โœจ Bring Your Passions to Life in the National Zone! โœจ

Do you have a talent, hobby, or favorite activity that lights you up? Imagine sharing that joy with students across the country! Weโ€™re inviting K12 staff to lead weekly clubs in the National Zone โ€” a fun way to inspire, connect, and build community around the things you love most.

๐ŸŽถ A few ideas to spark inspiration:
โ€ข Cheerleading Club
โ€ข Band or Music Jam
โ€ข Book Club
โ€ข Art Studio
โ€ข Chess or Strategy Games
โ€ข Fitness or Yoga
โ€ข Dance (and so much more!)

๐ŸŒŸ October Highlight: Weโ€™re looking for a leader for a Thriller Dance Club! Students will learn the iconic moves together and perform in a special end-of-October Zone event.

๐Ÿ’ก While these are volunteer opportunities, theyโ€™re an amazing way to boost school spirit, connect with students, and make the Zone truly magical.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Ready to share your passion? Email nhoover@k12.com with the club idea youโ€™d like to lead and which grade band(s) youโ€™d like to host โ€” or open it up to everyone!

โœจ Classroom Spotlight: Ms. Huffman (OVCA) โœจ โœจ Classroom Spotlight: Ms. Huffman (OVCA) โœจ

Exploring Oklahoma Through a Classroom Zone

Stephanie Huffman (2nd Grade, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy) has transformed her classroom zone into a vibrant celebration of Oklahomaโ€™s state symbols and landmarks. Her creative space includes themed areas like a music lab, art room, reading tents, and an outdoor theater โ€” all filled with interactive games, audio, and videos.

Students can even embark on a scavenger hunt of Oklahoma landmarks, making learning both fun and immersive. This unique design shows how classroom zones can bring lessons to life while keeping students engaged and excited to learn.

๐ŸŽฅ Watch the video below to see Ms. Huffmanโ€™s classroom in action!

Inspired? Our K12 Classroom Showcase is your chance to share how you use your classroom zone. If you already have a Zone and are open to a short walkthrough or lesson being filmed, weโ€™d love to spotlight your creativity and impact. As a thank-you, selected teachers will also receive a $50 gift card.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Sign up here to be spotlighted: Classroom Showcase Sign-Up Form

OVCA 2nd Grade Classroom Zone Overview

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Zone Pro Tip of the Week ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Zone Pro Tip of the Week ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

How to Use the New Notification App

Need to get everyoneโ€™s attention at once? The new Notification App makes it easy!

๐Ÿ”” Drop the Notification App (look for the bell icon in the Scene Library) into your Zone.
๐Ÿ’ฌ Type your message in the drawer โ€” for example: โ€œClass is ending, please be ready to leave in 5 minutes.โ€
๐Ÿ“ข Hit Send and a โ€œtoast notificationโ€ instantly appears on every studentโ€™s screen.

Itโ€™s a quick way to send reminders, transition cues, or important announcements without interrupting the flow of your Zone activities.


Check out the video linked below!

K12 Zone - Testing Prod - 6 August 2025

launch loom.com

MORE RESOURCES MORE RESOURCES

K12 Zone How-To Guide
K12 Zone Editing Smore
K12 Zone POC Smore
K12 Zone Guide
K12 Zone Sharepoint
K12 Zone Updates
K12 Zone 101 Training for Teachers
If youโ€™re unable to attend the K12 Zone 101 Training for Teachers, no worries! You can catch up anytime by watching the recording linked below.
K12 Zone 101 Training for Teachers
K12 Zone Editor Practice

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out: nhoover@k12.com If you have any questions, feel free to reach out: nhoover@k12.com

Nick Hoover
Nick is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter