The K12 Zone Report

We’ve just added three powerful updates to help you manage your classroom zones more smoothly:

🎬 Welcome Video

• Zone managers can now upload a custom welcome video for their world.

• Students will automatically see it the first time they enter — making it a great way to set expectations, give directions, or spark excitement.

🖥 Screen Share Request Queue

• A new setting gives teachers full control over who can share screens.

• Students can now request screen share access, which you can approve or deny in real time.

• Permissions are one-time only, keeping things safe and structured.

• Teachers can also stop a student’s screen share instantly if needed.

👥 Gather Group

• In the User Drawer, you can now select multiple students and instantly teleport them.

• Options include “Teleport to Me” or moving students to specific landmark zones.

• Perfect for regrouping after activities or transitioning between lessons.

🎥 Watch the walkthrough video below:

We need your help to keep Zones clear and easy for students to navigate! Please make sure your open/close times are always posted and scheduled.

📝 Post Your Hours on the Closed Zone Sign

• Use the World Settings > Open/Close World panel to add a message (e.g., “This Zone is open Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM CST”).

• ⚠️ Glitch Alert: If your Zone has never been closed/opened before, you’ll need to do that once manually before the message will save to your closed sign.

📅 Use the Scheduler

• The Scheduler makes it easy to set recurring open/close times for your Zone.

• Students will know exactly when they can enter, and you don’t have to remember to open or close manually.

🔒 What if a Zone is left open?

• Don’t worry — if no admin is present, the Zone automatically switches into Silent Mode (students can still explore, but they can’t talk, chat, or turn on video).

🚨 Holiday Reminder

• The Scheduler doesn’t know about school holidays.

• Please turn off your schedule for Monday, September 1st (Labor Day) or your Zone will open as usual.

🎥 Watch the video walkthrough here:

One of the best ways to kick off the year in the Zone is by encouraging students to edit their profiles. This small step unlocks big opportunities for connection.

✨ Why Profiles Matter

• Students can add interests, moods, and personalize their profile.

• The system then helps them find and connect with peers who share similar hobbies and passions.

• It’s a simple, safe way to spark friendships right from the start.

📌 Activity Idea: Have your students edit their profile together as a class during the first week. Then, show them how to use those profiles to connect with new friends.

🎥 Videos to Share with Students:

• How to Edit Your Profile

• How to Find New Friends in the Zone

📘 Student How-To Smore
We’ve also created a student-facing Smore packed with quick videos and guides. Please share this with your students and Learning Coaches so they always know how to get help in the Zone.

K12 Zone Student How-To Smore

📚 80 Back-to-School Zone Activities — Ready to Use!
It’s never too early to start planning your first-week fun in the Zone! We’ve created a list of 80 ready-to-go activities, organized by grade band — 20 for each (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12).

💡 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.

👉 Use the tabs at the bottom of the doc to explore by grade level — and start planning now!

Teachers and staff can now build and run their own zones instantly — no form required! 🎉

✅ Create Your Zone:
Click the orange ➕ button → choose a template → name your world → assign your students.

✅ Find Your Zone Anytime:

• Favorite or bookmark your Zone link.

• Or log into any Zone → My Account > Worlds > My Worlds > View All to see all you’ve created.

✅ Update Student Access:
Need to adjust which students can enter? Use Managed User Groups to add or change access with just a few clicks.

🌐 Access the K12 Zone:
Students and staff can reach the Available Worlds page two ways:

• 🔗 Direct Link: zone.k12.com/t/auth/sso-worlds?autosso=true

• 📚 Via Canvas: Login → Canvas Dashboard → Resources > K12 Zone

📅 New! Schedule a Class in Canvas:
Teachers can now create calendar events in Canvas and link them directly to their Zone. (Full PowerSchool + Canvas integration coming this fall!)

Check out the videos below:

The Social Hub has moved — and teachers now have access to a powerful new User Drawer, your one-stop shop for managing your classroom in the Zone.

Here’s what you can do directly from the new drawer:

• 👥 See who’s in your world — get a quick headcount at a glance.

• 🎯 Spotlight a student or yourself — keep the focus exactly where it needs to be.

• 🎙 Control mics & cameras — grant or revoke access for everyone or just one student.

• 👯 Manage breakouts — launch and control small group sessions in seconds.

• 🚨 Take safety actions — remove or ban users quickly if needed.

In short: the User Drawer puts all your classroom tools in one place, making it faster and easier to manage your Zone.

🎥 Watch the walkthrough video below to see the new User Drawer in action!

Want to see how other teachers are setting up their Classroom Zones? Jessica Bishop, an amazing POC at OVCA, shared a presentation full of real classroom examples to spark ideas and show the many different ways a Zone can look.

Inside you’ll find:

• Snapshots of drafted classroom worlds from OVCA teachers

• Notes on each slide explaining why that design stood out and how you might adapt the idea for your own classroom

• Things to consider as you design (instruction vs. free time, group work, adding games, linking Canvas resources, fostering community, etc.)

• Tips for visiting other classrooms and collaborating with peers

We’ve streamlined how parents give consent for students under 13 to access the National K12 Zone.

What’s new?

• Consent is now collected directly during the K12 enrollment process—no more third-party sites or extra steps for new families.

• Parents create an account in the Enrollment Portal and complete consent as part of enrollment.

• Existing families can update or provide consent anytime by logging into www.consent.k12.com using their enrollment credentials.

• The process is simple: Parents go to My Account > Student Consent, select their student, and save changes.

This easier process helps ensure students get timely access to safe, social learning environments in the Zone

Our K12 Classroom Showcase is back! This is your chance to inspire other educators by sharing how you use your classroom zone.

We’re looking for teachers who already have a classroom zone and are open to letting us visit and film a short walkthrough or lesson. Your example could help others see what’s possible — and as a thank-you, you’ll receive a $50 gift card if selected.

✅ Requirements:

• Must have an existing classroom zone

• Be willing to allow a short virtual walkthrough/filming session

👉 Interested? Fill out the form below to apply!

Mark your calendars! The next National Zone Game Jam is set for Wednesday, August 27th, and it's going to be another epic after-school event packed with games, fun, and friendly competition.

📍 Where: 6–8 National Zone
📅 When: Wednesday, August 27
🕓 Event Begins: 4:00 PM EST
⏰ Login by 3:30 PM to ensure students are ready

🕹️ This interactive experience is all about building community and connection in a fun, game-filled space. Make sure students register ahead of time! Registration Link

⚠️ Note: Students age 12 or under must have a signed parent consent form on file to participate.

👇 Check out the flyer below for full details:

If you’re unable to attend the K12 Zone 101 Training for Teachers, no worries! You can catch up anytime by watching the recording linked below.