How School Apps Can Transform Parent-Teacher Communication

These days, many people turn to an app for almost everything. By offering an app at your school, you can be a part of your families’ daily routine. From streamlined communications to swift notifications, your app can be the key to better transparency and a smooth connection between parents and administrators. But how? Here are three ways your school app can bridge the gap between teachers and families.

Be Always Available

Many parents — especially Gen Z parents—spend a lot of time on their phones. Whether they’re shopping online, looking for directions, or talking to their friends and family, they turn to a mobile app for answers no matter if it’s early in the morning or late at night.

Your school’s app can be there for parents to look at information about what’s happening at school any time, and if they need to send a communication during off hours, they can reach out and receive a reply later, adding to the convenience. This can also help save your school administrators time during the day, as they will spend less time on the phone and more time handling other important matters around the school.

Offer Transparency

Families value transparency and need to know their student’s status at school in a clear and timely manner. Your school app can make the school experience as clear as possible by offering upfront communication and updates in one easy-to-access place.

Allow parents to see grades, assignments, and their completion status simply by logging into the app. Families can also review attendance and reach out when they need to, keeping everything open on both ends.

Communicate Effectively

We’ve talked about keeping open lines of communication for the parents, but what about administrators? With an app, your team can get in touch whenever and however they need to. Whether it’s banners in the app with updates, notifications to families about upcoming events, or push notifications to your families’ devices about their student’s attendance status, your administrators can stay in touch efficiently and effectively with the app and save time doing it.

Introducing an app like FACTS Family Custom App to your school community can be the key to simplifying communication, maximizing transparency, and improving engagement between parents and staff. Share crucial information, videos, and make payments on one easy-to-use platform that shows off who your school really is.

Learn more about FACTS Family Custom App and how it can be your solution to better communications at FACTSmgt.com.

No matter if you’re a public, private, or independent school community, fundraising is something you’ll likely need to do at some point. Fundraising isn’t only about collecting donations, however. It’s also a chance to boost morale and get your students, staff, and families full of school pride and the spirit of giving. But how do you plan the perfect fundraiser? From planning to execution, we’ll show you how to create the best fundraiser to benefit those in and around your community.

What Makes a Good Fundraiser

When planning your next fundraiser, you should consider three things to ensure it’s a success: ease of setup, low costs, and high return.

Choosing an event that is easy and low cost to set up can make fundraising more convenient for your staff, students, and families. With lower stakes, your fundraiser can be more accessible to people who may not have the time or resources for something bigger. A low-cost setup can also lighten the resources your school provides, leaving a smaller gap between money spent and money made.

Choosing the Right Cause

Before starting your fundraiser, you need a cause. Where is this money going, or who is it going to? These are questions donors will need answers to before they decide to give funds. Choosing the right cause is the first and best way to ensure your fundraiser is one that aligns with your school and your community. Whether you’re raising funds to offer scholarships to students or to buy new school supplies and equipment, you need to create a strong cause that people are excited to rally around.

Your fundraising cause can also help emerging causes gain traction. A fundraiser is a great way to kick off a new or special program within the school, from STEM and SEL programs to new language learning or multicultural programs. This is your chance to create an event that highlights who your school is and how you are a solid part of your local community.

Ways to Fundraise at Your School

Make your next fundraiser one to remember no matter how much money you want to raise. Here are some of our favorite ideas for simple fundraisers your school can try:

These options offer a fun, low stakes way for everyone to get involved and give in a way that makes them feel active and committed to the school and community. Pick up litter around the neighborhood, get everyone smiling by showing off your furry friends, or start a little friendly competition with a chili cookoff! Fundraisers can be an annual, semi-annual, or other recurring event that ensures your school can keep getting everyone together, involved, and full of school spirit.

How FACTS Giving Can Help

At FACTS, we understand schools’ needs for a giving solution that makes the process easy, safe, and affordable. That’s where FACTS Giving comes in. With three unique plans offering the best tools for your specific fundraising needs, you can have peace of mind when you plan your next fundraiser. Jump in with no-hassle implementation, simple integration with FACTS SIS, and next-gen features like text-to-give.

Ready to create your next school fundraiser? Learn how FACTS Giving can help set you up for success.

We’re excited to share that FACTS (formerly CD2 Learning) has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Employee LMSs for 2024 by Talented Learning. This recognition, awarded by industry expert John Leh, highlights our ongoing commitment to delivering an effective and user-friendly platform for employee learning, including onboarding, talent development, and upskill training.

FACTS’ LMS goes beyond the basics, offering organizations a flexible solution for training and development that evolves with the needs of their teams. From onboarding new hires to equipping employees with new skills as they progress in their careers, FACTS delivers the tools organizations need to foster ongoing learning and professional growth.

FACTS’ LMS is trusted by organizations across industries for its comprehensive capabilities. The platform simplifies compliance tracking, offers customizable training modules, and provides valuable reporting tools to measure employee progress and development. This versatility ensures that businesses can adapt the platform to their specific needs while supporting their teams’ continuous learning and advancement.

FACTS remains dedicated to helping organizations invest in their workforce, offering the tools necessary to build engaged, high-performing teams. This recognition from Talented Learning further highlights FACTS’ role as a key player in employee learning and development.

Interested in learning more about our award-winning LMS? Visit www.factsmgt.com/markets/corporate-learning-solutions.

From our trusted partner, Dewar.

With school back in session for the 2024-25 academic year, many schools will begin their financial planning for the subsequent academic year. As you begin your preliminary conversations around budgeting, here are some tips for safeguarding your budgeted tuition income.

Private schools rely on student enrollment and tuition income for ongoing expenses such as faculty and staff salaries, campus maintenance, employee benefits, and more. When a student withdraws, the school’s expenses remain unchanged, making it essential to explore solutions that secure tuition commitments and safeguard the financial health of the school.

While student withdrawal experience at your school may vary year to year, we know that no school is immune to mid-year attrition. Each school year, you may experience withdrawals due to a variety of unexpected reasons such as a family move, change in financial circumstances, medical condition(s), or a family simply deciding the school is no longer the best fit for their student.

An annual financial obligation is becoming increasingly common among faith-based schools as the cost of private education rises and the financial impact of student withdrawals is felt more than ever.

Requiring families to commit to the full annual tuition is a best practice among private schools for establishing financial stability and mitigating risk. This policy creates a clearly defined financial commitment, ensuring that families are fully committed to the school. Schools establish a binding date in the enrollment contract (typically sometime between June 1 and July 15) by which families are responsible for the full annual tuition.

While schools may budget for potential losses from student withdrawals or rely on a waitlist to fill open seats mid-year, unforeseen circumstances can still force students to withdraw. However, there will always be unforeseen circumstances that force students to withdraw, and speculating the impact of mid-year withdrawals on tuition income or that a withdrawn student’s seat will be filled often results in significant lost tuition income.

With an annual enrollment contract, schools ensure an accurate budget with tuition income projections based on the number of signed contracts from families regardless of whether a student completes the academic year. In fact, schools without an annual obligation typically experience higher mid-year attrition rates compared to schools with an annual obligation.

More than 1,000 private schools throughout North America utilize The Tuition Refund Plan to refund unused tuition and cover unpaid charges in the event of student separation. When a separation occurs, schools trust tuition insurance to assist those families who pay in installments to fulfill any unpaid balance at the time of withdrawal or dismissal. The Tuition Refund Plan provides benefits for virtually any type of withdrawal or dismissal that occurs during the academic year.

• Zero cost to the school as families pay the premium
• Claim payments made directly to the school for credit to the student’s account
• Allows school to collect tuition income that otherwise may have been lost
• Allows families the ability to withdraw without significant financial impact to themselves or the school

If you are interested in protecting your annual tuition income, experts at Dewar welcome the opportunity to assist you in implementing an annual tuition contract and supplementing it with a tuition insurance plan.

Visit FACTSmgt.com/Partners/Dewar to learn more or contact [email protected].

Corporate training is no longer just about ticking boxes. Organizations need training solutions that equip employees with the skills to stay competitive and ensure customers can maximize the value of the products they use. To meet these demands, companies need adaptable and innovative learning solutions.

FACTS’ Learning Management System (LMS) bridges this gap, offering a platform that supports both employee training and customer education. This unified approach helps organizations foster deeper engagement, drive performance, and support long-term development.

Traditionally, employee training and customer education have been managed separately. However, forward-thinking organizations recognize the need for consistency across all learning experiences. FACTS’ LMS integrates both internal and external learning, offering a cohesive platform for onboarding, compliance, professional development, and customer education.

By streamlining these functions, organizations can offer personalized, role-specific content for all learners, whether it’s a new hire or a long-standing customer.

Learners today expect tailored experiences that align with their goals. FACTS’ LMS allows organizations to customize learning paths based on individual roles, needs, and preferences. This personalized approach ensures that both employees and customers receive relevant, engaging content that supports their growth.

For companies, this personalization helps boost engagement and loyalty, keeping learners invested in their journey.

Gamification is changing how organizations approach learning. FACTS’ LMS incorporates badging systems and progress tracking to motivate learners through visible achievements. This gamified approach encourages continuous learning, giving users tangible goals that keep them engaged, whether they’re gaining new skills or deepening product knowledge.

Learning isn’t just about content delivery—it’s about measuring impact. FACTS’ LMS offers automated real-time analytics that provide insights into learner engagement and course performance. These data-driven insights allow organizations to make informed decisions, identify learning gaps, and continuously improve their training programs.

The future of corporate training is lifelong learning. As organizations adapt to new challenges, they need flexible, scalable solutions to support ongoing growth. FACTS’ LMS is designed to foster a culture of learning, empowering businesses to stay agile and keep pace with change.

FACTS is not just a solution provider—it’s a thought leader in the evolving world of corporate learning. As companies face increasingly complex demands from both their workforce and customers, the ability to offer flexible, personalized, and data-driven learning solutions will be key to success. The shift from rigid, one-size-fits-all training programs to adaptable, learner-centric approaches is already transforming the way businesses operate.

Corporate training is no longer about checking a box. It’s about creating meaningful learning experiences that engage and develop employees while empowering customers to maximize their potential. FACTS’ LMS is at the forefront of this transformation, helping businesses build a more connected, knowledgeable, and future-ready workforce.

Discover how personalized learning with FACTS LMS can transform your training strategy and boost engagement across your organization.

October 20 marks National Youth Confidence Day, a time to reflect on the importance of nurturing self-assurance in young people. Confidence plays a vital role in a student’s academic success and overall development, and schools serve as a critical environment where children can cultivate this essential trait. In the rapidly evolving digital age, edtech solutions are emerging as valuable tools to empower students and enhance their sense of self-belief, too. Here’s how schools and edtech providers like FACTS are working to create strong, confident students.

The Role of Schools in Building Confidence

School is not just a place for academic learning; it’s also where students begin to form their self-image, discover their strengths, and build resilience. Educators play an integral role in helping students build confidence by providing positive reinforcement, fostering a growth mindset, and creating a safe and supportive environment where children feel empowered to take risks and learn from mistakes.

When schools implement inclusive practices that acknowledge individual achievements—both big and small—students start to believe in their capabilities. This belief drives motivation, encouraging students to engage with their education and take charge of their learning experience. As students develop this sense of agency, they’re more likely to push beyond their comfort zones, face challenges head-on, and cultivate a lifelong confidence in their ability to succeed.

How Edtech Can Empower Student Confidence

Technology can further reinforce this process, providing students with access to tools and resources that help them better manage their learning journey. Educational technology allows for personalized learning experiences, offering students the opportunity to work at their own pace and revisit areas where they may need additional support. When students experience success in using technology to navigate challenges and meet goals, it can greatly boost their confidence.

FACTS offers various edtech solutions that support students, families, and educators in staying connected and organized, ultimately contributing to a more confident student body. One key tool is FACTS Student Information System (SIS), which provides a comprehensive platform for managing student data and academic progress. Within the SIS, the FACTS Family Portal enables students and parents to view grades, upcoming assignments, teacher feedback, and more. This transparency helps students feel more in control of their education, fostering independence and confidence as they see their efforts and progress reflected in real time.

The Role of Technology in Student-Teacher-Parent Communication

Clear and consistent communication is another cornerstone of building student confidence. When students and families feel informed and supported, it strengthens the partnership between home and school, ensuring that students receive the encouragement they need to thrive. The FACTS Family Custom App allows schools to provide timely updates, reports, and event reminders directly to families’ smartphones. This convenient, on-the-go access helps families stay connected and ensures that students are always aware of their progress, deadlines, and upcoming school activities. Being informed and engaged in their school life helps students feel more organized and confident in their responsibilities.

How Parents Can Help Build Confidence at Home

Parents play a pivotal role in nurturing their children’s confidence outside of school. Encouraging open communication, celebrating effort rather than just results, and fostering a positive attitude toward challenges can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem. By using tools like those offered by FACTS to stay informed about their child’s progress, parents can offer constructive feedback and recognize achievements at home, creating a strong foundation of support and confidence that complements their child’s school experience.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Confident Learners

National Youth Confidence Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering confidence in young people. By continuing to provide a supportive educational environment, personalized learning opportunities, and clear communication channels, schools can help students develop a strong sense of self-worth and the belief that they can achieve their goals. At FACTS, we are committed to helping schools, students, and families leverage technology to unlock the full potential of every learner and ensure that confidence is a key part of their educational experience.

Let’s celebrate this day by continuing to support and uplift our students, providing them with the tools they need to succeed, both in and out of the classroom.

The inaugural Elevate Guam conference took place September 5 and 6 at the Hyatt Regency Guam, bringing together 80 educators, school leaders, and sponsors from across the island. The conference aimed to foster innovation in K-12 education and provide vital training to schools in Guam, helping them maximize the benefits of FACTS technology and federal funding programs. The beachfront hotel served as the perfect backdrop for an event that was all about building bright futures.

FACTS has a long-standing relationship with Guam, largely thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Toves family. For 17 years, valued added resellers Jesse and Anna Toves introduced and promoted FACTS Student Information System (SIS) to private schools across the island, helping schools transform their administrative processes with new technology. Today, their daughter continues that legacy with JessieMarie Toves leading the charge in connecting schools with FACTS solutions. This conference was a testament to the Toves family’s commitment to advancing education in Guam.

As a U.S. territory, Guam private schools are eligible to receive $5 million in federal funding to provide services to students and teachers. Utilizing these funds responsibly to support student outcomes is a top priority for school leaders across the island, and FACTS Education Services has the expertise and services to support them with these goals.

Before the official start of the conference, FACTS international product manager Aubrey Humm and senior marketing manager Caitlin Miller, alongside JessieMarie, visited local schools that have embraced FACTS technology. Among these was Santa Barbara Catholic School, the first Catholic school on the island to adopt FACTS SIS. iLearn Academy Charter School, emphasizing on STEM and technology, and the admin team from the Office of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Agaña also made time for a FACTS visit.

“It was great connecting in person with the schools who use our services every day to create a better education experience. We often communicate behind computer screens, and while we’re efficient that way, it was an honor to shake hands and hear thoughts from the people regularly supporting students and families with our unique tools,” said Humm.

Day one of Elevate Guam was packed with enriching sessions, including a special track by Dr. Patrick Haggarty, President of FACTS Education Services. Known for his deep knowledge of federal funding programs, Dr. Haggarty provided Guam’s private school educators with essential insights into Title funds and how schools can take full advantage of the financial resources available to enhance student outcomes.

FACTS SIS Admin and Classroom training also took place on day one, along with introductions to FACTS Application & Enrollment and FACTS Family App. The afternoon saw a Modern Classroom Symposium led by Dr. Matthew Murphy, where he used the Design Thinking framework to help educators create more personalized and engaging learning environments for students. This session was widely praised for offering practical strategies that can immediately be applied in classrooms.

The second day began with a keynote panel that tied all the conference themes together. The panel included Dr. Haggarty from FACTS Education Services, Dr. Murphy, and Alex Urrea from Eduscape, alongside Dr. Juan Flores, former superintendent and current board member for a charter school in Guam. The panel addressed pressing issues such as the mental health crisis impacting both students and educators, the growing importance of AI in education, and the critical need for educational leadership that prioritizes student well-being.

Dr. Murphy highlighted the challenges educators face, especially the rising mental health crisis, by saying, “The mental health epidemic of young people is the most significant problem we’re facing as educators.” He emphasized that if students are not mentally well, it becomes difficult for them to engage in the classroom effectively.

Dr. Haggarty brought attention to the importance of elevating the value of education in the eyes of policymakers and said, “One of the biggest challenges is raising the importance of education to our elected leaders. Whether it’s public or private, K-12 is often the last funded area. The way to break the cycle of poverty is education, but we need to educate those in power to make better decisions about funding our schools and students.”

As the panel wrapped up, attendees were given powerful takeaways. Dr. Murphy encouraged educators to stay grounded in their purpose, reminding them, “If you can take just one nugget of wisdom back to the classroom, remember why you became a teacher in the first place. Don’t get overwhelmed. At the core, kids just need…you.”

Urrea inspired attendees to view themselves as more than just teachers by saying, “You’re not just educators. Shift your mindset to be inspirers. Prepare kids for life, not just college. Ask them what they want to solve, not what they want to be when they grow up.”

Dr. Haggarty’s final piece of advice was practical and impactful, saying, “There are opportunities out there, like coupons, from the government that can help fund our schools. We just need to put in a little work to collect those resources for the benefit of our kids, teachers, and families.”

Elevate Guam 2024 was an extraordinary event that provided Guam’s educators with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to elevate the education experience for students across the island. As FACTS continues to support schools in Guam, the future looks brighter than ever, and we look forward to visiting again for Elevate Guam 2026!

From our trusted partner, CampusGuard.

Higher education institutions are not the only targets of ransomware attacks within the education sector. K-12 schools are frequently targeted by ransomware attacks and data breaches aimed at exploiting student and staff data. Between 2022 and 2023, ransomware attacks on K-12 schools surged by 92%, according to Malwarebytes.

To address widespread vulnerabilities and safeguard your school against cyber threats, it’s essential to promote a cybersecurity-conscious community among students, staff, and parents.

We’ve outlined several strategies that can help advance the cybersecurity-minded culture of your school by implementing actionable steps:

Promote Security Awareness Training and Development

Provide Security Awareness training sessions that educate staff on cybersecurity best practices and ways to protect and reduce the risk to sensitive information. At least annually, training should be updated to reflect the latest in emerging risks, industry best practices, and current standards and regulations.

Offer workshops for teachers and administrators, as well as communications like newsletters, to keep them informed about the latest cybersecurity news, trends, and threats, including phishing, ransomware, malware, and social engineering. Provide workshops in different formats such as in-person sessions, webinars, and recorded videos to accommodate different schedules and preferences.

Develop Clear Policies and Procedures
Establish and enforce strong cybersecurity policies for staff to follow. Regularly review and update your cybersecurity policies to address new threats, technologies, and regulatory requirements. Involve cybersecurity experts and legal advisors to ensure that policies remain effective and compliant.

Create a clear protocol for reporting and responding to cybersecurity incidents. Provide clear instructions on how incidents should be reported and specify who employees should contact immediately upon discovering a cybersecurity incident, such as the IT department, a designated security team, or an incident response team.

Promote a Culture of Security
Encourage staff to model good cybersecurity behavior, such as utilizing strong passwords, using multi-factor authentication, keeping their operating systems and anti-virus software updated, and having the ability to recognize and report phishing emails.

Recognize and reward staff who consistently follow and promote cybersecurity practices. Issue top performers a certificate or reward them with a free lunch.

For Students

Integrate Cybersecurity into the Curriculum
Teach basic cybersecurity principles in existing computer science courses at different educational levels. Include topics such as encryption, secure coding practices, network security, and malware detection. Explore hands-on exercises where students practice implementing security measures, such as writing secure code, configuring firewalls, or identifying vulnerabilities.

Use real-world examples and case studies of cybersecurity incidents to illustrate concepts and demonstrate the importance of cybersecurity in everyday technology use.

Incorporate lessons on digital citizenship, online safety, and privacy into various subjects. Encourage critical thinking about online behavior and digital footprints. Demonstrate to students how to evaluate the credibility of online sources and recognize phishing attempts.

Interactive Learning Activities
Use gamified learning tools and cybersecurity simulations to make learning engaging. Develop educational games or use existing cybersecurity games that simulate real-world scenarios, which can reinforce concepts like threat detection, incident response, and secure coding practices in a fun and interactive way.

Organize cybersecurity competitions and hackathons to encourage hands-on learning. These competitions challenge students to solve cybersecurity challenges, including cryptography puzzles, network forensics, and web application security. Hackathons encourage student collaboration in developing innovative solutions to cybersecurity challenges or creating cybersecurity tools and applications, which promotes teamwork, creativity, and practical problem-solving skills. Check out the California Cybersecurity Institute’s past events for inspiration!

Create Student Cyber Clubs
Support the formation of cybersecurity clubs where students can learn and share knowledge. Provide resources and support for students interested in forming cybersecurity clubs at schools. Facilitate connections with cybersecurity professionals who can arrange networking events and introduce them to industry conferences or mentorship programs.

Encourage club activities such as workshops, guest speakers, and projects focused on cybersecurity. Organize workshops on various cybersecurity topics, such as ethical hacking, penetration testing, digital forensics, or secure software development. Guest speakers can share insights into current trends, career paths, and cutting-edge cybersecurity research.

For Parents

Host Educational Workshops and Seminars
Conduct regular workshops and webinars on cybersecurity topics relevant to parents, such as online privacy and data protection, safe social media usage, recognizing and preventing phishing scams, and parental controls and monitoring tools. Ensure that workshops are interactive, with Q&A sessions, demonstrations of cybersecurity tools, and practical tips that parents can implement immediately.

Provide resources and guides on how to discuss cybersecurity and online safety with their children. Create resource kits that include key cybersecurity concepts, tips for fostering open communication with children about their online activities, and recommended cybersecurity tools and apps for family use. If possible, develop an online portal where parents can access these resources, view recorded webinars, and find additional articles/videos on cybersecurity topics. Distribute printed guides and brochures during school events, parent-teacher conferences, and through school newsletters to ensure that all parents have access to these resources.

Parent-Teacher Collaboration
Encourage regular communication between parents and teachers about students’ online activities. Establish clear and consistent communication channels such as emails, newsletters, and parent-teacher meetings to discuss students’ online behavior and cybersecurity education. Create a feedback tool where parents can report concerns or observations about their children’s online activities to teachers through an online form or dedicated email address.

Share updates on school cybersecurity initiatives and how parents can support these efforts at home. Regularly publish updates about the school’s cybersecurity initiatives, upcoming events, and any changes in cybersecurity policies through school newsletters and bulletins. Provide parents with suggested activities and discussions they can have with their children at home to complement what is being taught in school.

Create a Parent Cybersecurity Committee
Form a committee of interested parents to discuss and promote cybersecurity awareness. Recruit interested parents through school communications and during parent-teacher meetings. Set clear goals and objectives for the committee, such as increasing cybersecurity awareness, organizing events, and supporting the school’s cybersecurity curriculum.

Involve the committee in planning cybersecurity-themed events, such as family cybersecurity nights, guest speaker sessions, or community cybersecurity fairs. Leverage the expertise and resources of committee members to develop educational materials, organize workshops, and spread awareness about cybersecurity practices.

By implementing these strategies, schools can build a stronger cybersecurity-focused community that actively participates in maintaining a safe and secure online environment.

CampusGuard can assist by reviewing your school’s security policy and procedures to ensure their effectiveness and offer recommendations to strengthen your security practices.

Ready to boost your school’s security posture? Contact [email protected].

It’s National Family Day, and spending time together can be the perfect chance to reinforce bonds with your student while supporting their educational experience at home. Keeping your whole family a part of the learning experience is one of the best ways to keep your student constantly engaged and elevating.

According to Youth.gov, students whose families are more involved in their education are less likely to drop out once in high school, are more likely to finish school on time, and have higher grades. Here are some of the ways you can keep your whole family engaged and continuously support your student through their educational journey.

Families can also make a difference at school by showing their support at school events, volunteer opportunities, and by keeping regular communication between parents and teachers or school staff.

Building a connection between your student’s school and home life is crucial to keep them on a constant path of growth and recognizing the importance of school in their everyday life. Family members can create a connection with the school, teachers, and other school staff by attending parent-teacher conferences, joining parent-led organizations, and volunteering for school events like dances or fundraisers. This can also establish parents as a stable and reliable source of support on the teacher’s end.

Taking the family on a new journey can open the door for unexpected or unique learning experiences. Learn more about a new place, check out local experiences or cuisine outside of the norm, and give your student access to learning beyond their everyday life.

Taking a journey into new territory doesn’t have to mean going far. Staycations are also an option. Visit a local park or check out a library in a new neighborhood. The goal is to get your family engaged with something new or unfamiliar to spark questions, imagination, and cravings for more information.

Maybe finding time to take the family out isn’t so easy. You can still create memorable and engaging experiences right at home for everyone to enjoy. Schedule movie nights, game nights, or other times to get together and create memories while learning and having fun.

Get creative with your time together and leverage it to introduce untraditional lessons your student can take with them back to school. On our blog, we show you even more ways you can keep your student engaged when they’re at home.

An important part of learning is having a safe space where students can feel confident, heard, and supported. This takes effective communication from every angle, starting at home. Talk to your student about what they’re learning, and work with them through their challenges to give them the confidence to keep looking for learning opportunities everywhere.

When your student learns how to communicate effectively and engage in conversation that leads down the learning path, they can use their new skills in the classroom to build relationships, communicate their needs, and get the most of their classroom learning.

Learning is not linear, and there is no one way for your student to get the most of their educational experience. From the home to the classroom, there are ways you can be a part of their educational journey and guide them toward even greater classroom success.

As we celebrate National Online Learning Day on September 15th, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of digital learning and the innovative solutions that are shaping the future of education. At FACTS, we are committed to supporting schools and educators with cutting-edge tools that enhance teaching and professional development experiences. Our Learning Management System (LMS) and Professional Development products are designed to meet the evolving needs of educators and adult learners alike.

Online learning has seen exponential growth in recent years, particularly in adult education and professional development. According to a report by Research and Markets, the global corporate e-learning market is expected to reach $764 billion by 2030. This trend highlights the increasing reliance on online platforms like FACTS LMS for delivering effective job training, talent development, and compliance training.

Additionally, studies show that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. This statistic underscores the importance of continuous professional development, which FACTS Professional Development programs are designed to support. By providing educators with the tools they need to grow and improve, schools and organizations can not only enhance job satisfaction but also improve overall educational outcomes.

The FACTS Learning Management System (LMS) is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline employee onboarding, talent development, and compliance tracking. Our LMS provides a robust platform for creating, delivering, and managing instructional content, ensuring that organizations can focus on delivering high-quality training and development programs.

Key Features of FACTS LMS:

• Interactive Content: Our LMS supports a variety of content formats, including videos, quizzes, and interactive assignments, making learning engaging and dynamic.
• Customization and Flexibility: Trainers can tailor courses to meet the unique needs of their learners, providing a personalized learning experience.
• Seamless Communication: The built-in communication tools facilitate real-time interaction between trainers and learners, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Performance Tracking: Advanced analytics and reporting features help trainers monitor learner progress and identify areas for improvement.

Professional development is crucial for educators to stay updated with the latest teaching strategies and technological advancements. FACTS offers a range of professional development services that empower educators to enhance their skills and improve educational outcomes.

Benefits of FACTS Professional Development:

• Expert-Led Training: Our professional development programs are led by experienced educators and industry experts who provide practical insights and actionable strategies.
• Flexible Learning Options: We offer both in-person and online training sessions, ensuring that educators can learn at their convenience.
• Comprehensive Resources: From workshops to webinars, our professional development offerings cover a wide range of topics, including classroom management, instructional technology, and curriculum development.
• Ongoing Support FACTS recommends continuous support to educators, helping them implement new strategies and technologies effectively in their classrooms.

As Dr. John Hattie, a prominent researcher in education, notes, “The biggest effects on student learning occur when teachers become learners of their own teaching.” Investing in professional development not only enhances teaching skills but also directly impacts student success.

As we celebrate National Online Learning Day, we acknowledge the remarkable progress made in the field of education technology. FACTS is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, providing innovative solutions that empower educators and enhance learning experiences. Our Learning Management System and Professional Development products are designed to support schools and organizations in delivering high-quality education and training, regardless of the learning environment.

Join us in celebrating National Online Learning Day by exploring the possibilities of online education with FACTS. Together, we can continue to transform education and create a brighter future for all learners.

Learn more about FACTS Learning Management System and Professional Development services.

In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, keeping employees engaged and ensuring they retain essential training material is a significant challenge. Traditional learning methods, with their lengthy modules and extensive training sessions, often fail to meet the needs of modern professionals who juggle multiple tasks throughout their workday.

Enter microlearning—a game-changing approach that delivers bite-sized, easily digestible training modules tailored to the needs of busy professionals.

Microlearning is a training method that breaks down information into small, focused chunks, typically delivered in short lessons of 5-10 minutes. Unlike traditional training sessions that can be overwhelming and hard to retain, microlearning is easy to digest, understand, and apply immediately. This approach caters perfectly to the modern workforce, where time is at a premium and attention spans are stretched thin.

Research shows that people forget up to 70% of new information within 24 hours of a traditional training session. This phenomenon, known as the “forgetting curve,” highlights the inefficiency of long-form training in today’s workplace.

Employees are often unable to recall or apply what they’ve learned, leading to wasted time and resources. Microlearning addresses this issue by offering training in small bursts, which makes it easier for employees to retain and apply new information in real time

1. Easier to Produce

   Microlearning modules are quicker to create and update compared to traditional training programs. This flexibility allows businesses to respond rapidly to changing industry trends or company needs.

2. Fits Into the Workday

   Employees can complete microlearning sessions during short breaks, eliminating the need for them to step away from their tasks for extended periods. This integration into the flow of work ensures continuous learning without disrupting productivity.

3. Keeps Pace With Emerging Trends

   With the rapid pace of technological advancements and industry changes, businesses need to update training content frequently. Microlearning allows for faster content updates, ensuring that employees are always equipped with the latest knowledge.

4. Boosts Employee Retention and Engagement

   Microlearning’s interactive, bite-sized approach keeps employees engaged and invested in their development, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention. Studies, such as one from the Journal of Applied Psychology, show that microlearning can improve job performance by 17% compared to traditional training methods.

5. Solves Specific Problems Quickly

   Microlearning can be tailored to address specific skills or compliance requirements. This targeted approach ensures that employees receive the exact training they need, when they need it, resulting in more effective outcomes.

An LMS is an invaluable tool for implementing microlearning in the workplace, allowing businesses to develop smaller, more focused courses that employees can access anytime, anywhere.

FACTS Learning Management System is specifically designed to support microlearning by offering a range of corporate learning solutions tailored to the needs of modern businesses. FACTS Learning Courses, delivered through the LMS, allow organizations to choose from off-the-shelf content or create custom-designed modules that align with their unique requirements.

By leveraging FACTS LMS and FACTS Learning Courses, companies can seamlessly integrate microlearning into their training strategy, empowering their workforce with the flexibility and adaptability they need to succeed.

Microlearning is not just a trend—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to keep their workforce engaged, informed, and adaptable. By delivering training in manageable, bite-sized pieces, companies can ensure that their employees retain the information they need to excel in their roles, all while fitting learning into the natural flow of their workday. The result? A more confident, productive, and satisfied workforce that’s ready to tackle any challenge.

Learn more about how microlearning with FACTS LMS can transform your organization’s training strategy.

From our trusted partner, Reach.

In the fast-paced world of modern technology, where innovation and efficiency are key, having quick access to support is a big deal. This is especially true for institutions that prioritize student safety, wellness, and effective communication. Imagine running a school without a safety net, where every glitch in the system sends ripples of chaos through your meticulously crafted student life program. At Reach Student Life Management, we recognize the pivotal importance of a robust support system—both within the software and in the support services we provide.

Reach is not just a software company; it’s a partner in your school’s wellness, safety, and security journey. The stakes are high when you’re responsible for the well-being of students across continents, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. At the heart of our commitment lies an unwavering dedication to providing top-notch support, ensuring that administrators, staff, parents, and students can navigate the digital landscape with both confidence and ease.

So, why is quick access to support crucial in the realm of Student Life Management software? Let’s break it down.

The Need for Speed

In the dynamic world of student life management, time is of the essence. When a software hiccup occurs, waiting for assistance can feel like an eternity. With Reach’s regional, responsive, and concierge-level support, help is never far away. Whether you’re in Canada, the United States, Australia, the UK, Europe or Asia, our support teams and developers are strategically positioned to ensure that your school’s operations remain seamless. We’re always here to help!

A Support System with a Human Touch

It’s not just about solving tech problems; it’s about understanding the unique challenges of schools. Reach goes beyond generic tech support with a team made up of former school administrators, deans, dorm parents, admission directors, industry experts, and advancement professionals. We don’t just know software; we intimately understand the intricacies of school life. This blend of technological expertise and educational pedigree ensures that the support you receive is swift and deeply insightful. We understand your position because we’ve lived it.

The Reach Support Hub: Your Digital Lifesaver

Reach doesn’t just provide support; we offer a comprehensive support hub at support.reach.cloud. Here, you can find a wealth of training resources, videos, tutorials, and essential setup information. It’s your one-stop shop for launching support tickets, engaging in live chats with the support team, finding solutions to challenges, and even submitting suggestions for improvements. Your feedback is crucial to the ongoing innovation of our product and in adapting to the ever-changing landscape of student care.

Laughter in the Face of Tech Troubles

Picture this: a stressed-out administrator grappling with a software glitch, desperately searching for a solution. Enter Reach’s support team, not with just technical prowess but a sprinkle of levity. Because, let’s face it, laughter is the best medicine, even for digital hiccups. A supportive and understanding team can transform what might have been a frustrating nightmare into a collective moment of relief, lightening the mood and encouraging a spirit of collaboration.

A Global Family of Support

Schools are unique organizations, each with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Reach recognizes this diversity, and we ensure that our support adapts to the specific needs of your institution. It’s like having a global family of support, where your concerns are understood, addressed, and, when appropriate, met with a friendly chuckle. After all, school life is an adventure, and every adventure benefits from a reliable companion!

At the end of the school day, the importance of quick access to support in the realm of modern tech and software cannot be overstated. Reach stands out not just for our cutting-edge software but for the unwavering support system that accompanies it. With a team that understands the nuances of school life, a support hub that’s a digital lifesaver, and a touch of warmth to alleviate the tech troubles, you know that you’re not navigating this journey alone.

We ensure that your journey through the digital landscape is not just efficient but enjoyable. When you choose Reach, you’re not just choosing software; you’re choosing a partner dedicated to the well-being and success of your school community. As believers in the transformative power of schools, we don’t just understand them – we’ve lived and loved the unique culture they foster. Our commitment is driven by the desire to see your school community not just survive but thrive!

Contact Reach to learn more about the Student Life Management system and FACTS partnership.

Keeping employees engaged and motivated in today’s fast-paced work environment is paramount. To promote engagement, reduce turnover, and aid in knowledge retention many companies are introducing gamification into their e-learning programs, often through a learning management system (LMS).

What is gamification? According to researcher Karl Kapp, “gamification is an emergent approach to instruction. It facilitates learning and encourages motivation using game elements, mechanics and game-based thinking.”

In an LMS, gamification can take many forms. There are a few common game elements used in employee learning and development.

• Points and Badges: Employees earn points for completing tasks and can receive badges for reaching certain milestones.
• Leaderboards: Participants can see how they rank compared to their peers, fostering a sense of competition.
• Challenges and Quests: Training modules can be structured as challenges or quests employees must complete.
• Levels and Progress Bars: Visual progress indicators can motivate employees to continue learning and advancing.
• Rewards and Incentives: Tangible rewards such as certificates can be offered for achieving certain goals.

These common game elements make an even stronger impact on employee development when paired with interactive learning content that’s custom-designed for your business. Custom learning content can include interactive modules, engaging simulations, scenario-based exercises, and more.

But why should you incorporate gamification into your employee development program? Let’s explore the top three benefits for your employees and your business.

Having motivated and engaged employees is essential to a business’s success. With the rise of remote work over the last few years, keeping engagement levels high has become increasingly difficult as existing strategies no longer work. This is where e-learning and gamification come in. Gamification engages employees by activating three core elements of their motivational system: 1) the desire to direct their own life, 2) the desire to be demonstrably effective, and 3) the desire to connect with others.

A study found that 70% of participating employees agreed that gamification helped them feel competent and successful. “Participants in the game design element condition with badges, leaderboards, and performance graphs had significantly higher levels of competence need satisfaction.”

Combining these gamification elements with custom-designed learning modules or interactive scenario-based exercises further enhances engagement and helps employees feel accomplished.

This sense of accomplishment is crucial for maintaining motivation and engagement in the workplace. Another study came to the same conclusion. They stated that “gamification positively predicts workplace thriving, as employees who engage in gamified activities are expected to exhibit higher levels of motivation, engagement, and overall thriving in the workplace.”

Using gamification doesn’t stop at enhancing employee engagement, it also increases knowledge retention and makes employees more likely to apply what they’ve learned. Simply stated, the more engaged an employee feels, the more likely they are to perform better.

Implementing game elements like points and badges into your training program reinforces desired behaviors and positively impacts learning outcomes. Receiving badges or points enhances employees’ personal feelings of success and publicly displays their skills, expertise, and accomplishments to coworkers. This type of reward system is highly motivating and influences employees to continue performing well in the future.

For example, a fully remote software company introduces gamification into its e-learning program. Each time an employee gets a high score on a training module, they receive a badge with labels like “Product Expert,” “Sales Master,” and “Customer Service Guru.” With each badge, employees feel motivated to continue excelling in the future. Publicly displaying the badges on their profiles fosters a spirit of friendly competition and a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging everyone to strive for excellence.

Employees who feel engaged, motivated, supported, and successful in their roles stick around for the long term. On the contrary, employees who feel disconnected and unsupported are more likely to resign. If this problem becomes widespread, it results in high turnover, which is not great for your business’s bottom line.

Gamification and custom-designed learning content are fantastic tools to improve employee retention and combat turnover. A study on the impacts of gamification on learning and development found that 60% of participants agreed that gamification made them feel like they were part of a team. This sense of belonging contributes to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.

Ultimately, the key to retaining employees is listening and responding to their needs. As this article from Forbes points out, “If workers say they want to be engaged, then engage them. If they want to feel part of a culture, then invest in your culture. If they want training so they can do their job better, then create training that works.”

Building custom, interactive learning content and incorporating gamification into your development program is key to supporting employees in the ways they need most so your business can retain top talent.

At FACTS, we are dedicated to helping businesses create and scale an engaging and impactful e-learning program. Our Learning Management System includes features and native authoring tools to help you build a custom program suited to your business goals. Gamification is built into our platform, and we’ll partner with you to implement game elements that best meet your employees’ needs.

Additionally, we’ll work with you to develop custom Learning Courses that support an engaged, motivated, and tenured workforce. Connect with our team to learn more.

When it comes to awarding financial aid, having a clear and complete understanding of a family’s financial situation is crucial. With FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment you gain a comprehensive view of finances, even for self-employed families, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.

Conducting a thorough financial review ensures the accurate awarding of financial aid to the families who need it most.

FACTS conducts a thorough and detailed financial analysis, empowering your school to make data-driven award decisions with confidence. Our approach goes beyond the basics to ensure the most accurate assessment:

• Holistic Financial Understanding: We look beyond the standard 1040 form to get a complete picture of a family’s financial situation.
• Detailed Tax Form Review: Our process includes a thorough examination of all applicable tax forms, such as forms 8829 and 4506-T.
• In-Depth Business Analysis: We conduct comprehensive reviews of business schedules and sub-schedules.
• Quality Assurance: All reviews are conducted in-house, ensuring the highest quality and cost-efficiency.

FACTS offers unmatched customization to meet your school’s unique needs. With our flexible application process, you can:

• Personalize Questions: Tailor the application to gather the information most relevant to your school.
• Conditional Logic: Use conditional questions to streamline the application for families, showing only what’s applicable.
• Customizable Allocation: Adjust expense types and caps to align perfectly with your school’s financial aid goals.

FACTS Grant & Aid is designed with families in mind, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience that simplifies the financial aid process:

• Single Login: Manage tuition, incidental fees, and financial aid all in one place.
• Mobile-Responsive Application: Families can easily apply and upload documents from any device, making the process simple and accessible.
• Centralized Application: Families can apply to multiple schools with one application, streamlining their efforts with just one fee per household.
• Spanish Translation: With a single click, the entire application is available in Spanish, ensuring accessibility for all.

At FACTS, we’re committed to continuously improving the user experience for both schools and families. Thanks to the valuable feedback from our customers, we’re excited to announce several new features that will streamline financial aid management:

• IRS Integration: Soon, families can simplify the application process by allowing FACTS to automatically receive tax transcripts directly from the IRS, reducing the need for manual document submission while still ensuring a thorough financial review.
• Automatic Enrollment Status Updates: Administrators will save time with automatic syncing between FACTS Application & Enrollment and FACTS Grant & Aid. Changes in a student’s enrollment status will be automatically reflected, making reporting easier.
• Smart Tags in Award Notifications: Schools will be able to streamline award notifications by automatically including internal tracking fields—such as denial reasons or monthly payment amounts—within emails, helping schools send award decisions more efficiently.

These upcoming enhancements reflect our ongoing dedication to providing the best possible experience for schools and families.

Want to learn more about FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment?

Managing forms and payments throughout the school year can be a daunting task. FACTS Payment Forms are here to streamline these processes, making it easier for both families and administrators.

By simplifying payment collection, offering real-time reporting, and ensuring convenience for families, FACTS Payment Forms provide a comprehensive solution that integrates seamlessly with other financial tools. With enhanced security measures, you can manage your school’s forms in one place with confidence. Here is how FACTS Payment Forms can simplify collecting payments and completed forms at your school.

Simplified Payment Collection

FACTS Payment Forms allow you to create and manage forms for a variety of school activities such as event registrations, permission slips, apparel orders, and more. This streamlined process eliminates the need for paper forms and cash/check payments, reducing security risks and administrative workload.

You can also track forms and payments across different classrooms and departments, making administrative tasks simpler. The system supports inventory countdowns for items or events with limited availability, ensuring accurate tracking and management. By simplifying these routine tasks, FACTS Payment Forms save time and reduce administrative workloads, allowing you to focus more on enhancing the overall educational experience for your students.

Instant, Real-Time Reporting

With access to real-time reports on payments and transactions, you have access to up-to-date information at any time. This ensures that you have a clear, transparent view of all financial activities, making it easier to make data-driven decisions for your school.

Detailed reports can be generated to track items sold, money collected, and even inventory levels for events or merchandise. This comprehensive insight helps you manage your school’s finances more efficiently. By having instant access to financial data, you can improve budgeting, forecasting, and overall financial planning, ultimately enhancing the operational efficiency of your school.

Anytime, Anywhere Access

Families can complete forms and make payments anytime, anywhere, using their preferred device so they never miss important deadlines. Whether it’s registering for a school event, submitting a permission slip, or ordering school apparel, families can do it all from their phone, tablet, or desktop. Give parents a way to manage their children’s school-related activities with ease.

Enhanced Security

FACTS Payment Forms significantly reduce security risks by minimizing or even eliminating the use of paper forms and cash/check payments, better protecting financial and demographic information. Our system adheres to industry-leading security standards and is PCI DSS Level 1 Compliant, providing the highest level of security for handling payment data. This robust security framework not only safeguards your school’s financial transactions but also instills confidence in families, knowing that their information is secure.

Conclusion

FACTS Payment Forms are designed to simplify the collection and management of payments and forms in your school, enhancing efficiency, security, and convenience for everyone involved. Discover how FACTS Payment Forms can transform your school’s payment processes.

Learn more about FACTS Payment Forms and how they can elevate the payments and forms processes at your school.

Throughout the year, your school is bound to receive plenty of forms and payments from your families, and to manage them, you’ll want to reassess your systems and processes to ensure you’re ready to stay organized and productive.

So, how do you make these processes as efficient as possible? With FACTS Payment Forms, you can simplify collecting payments and completing forms at your school. Here are five ways you can leverage FACTS Payment Plans to benefit your school all year long.

Streamlined Payment Collection

Providing paperwork to parents, receiving completed documents, and filing away your school’s valuable information doesn’t have to be as daunting as it may seem. FACTS Payment Forms allows you to seamlessly collect payments from your students and families for events, school activities, and more. Make it easy for parents to pay for field trip admissions or buy tickets to the next big event.

Administrators can also reap the benefits of more efficiency and better organization with a paperless process. Say goodbye to paper forms and cash or check payments, giving your families more convenient ways to pay with credit/debit cards or ACH options and making it easier for your administrative team to handle records with less of a workload and fewer errors.

Real-Time Reporting and Insights

Staying on top of your school’s data and information is important. That’s why FACTS Payment Forms makes it easy to get immediate access to your school’s data and use that information to make decisions that make sense for your community.

With real-time reports on payments and transactions, your team can always be current on financial matters. Staying aware of payments and transactions is critical to ensuring your team knows how to proceed, whether it’s knowing how many students purchased tickets for the next dance or the number of families expected at your next school ceremony.

Increased Convenience for Families

On top of the added convenience for your staff, your families can also reap the benefits of using FACTS Payment Forms.

FACTS Payment Forms offers a responsive design, making it possible for your families to make payments anytime, anywhere. Whether on their phone, tablet, or desktop, your families can use their credit/debit card, or ACH payments to make payments, and your team can see the records on one secure system. Offering the most convenient options to your families without sacrificing efficiency for your team ensures everyone can effectively do their part without missing dates, deadlines, or mismanaging loads of paperwork.

Comprehensive Integration with FACTS Systems

Combined with the other tools in the FACTS suite, FACTS Payment Forms works seamlessly to help your staff see all the financial information they need in one place. With one unified system, accounting and financial tracking can be a breeze for your entire school.

Payment Forms works alongside FACTS Remittance, and if you use Advanced Accounting and Journal Entry, you can streamline recordkeeping for your school’s financial data, making organization easier than ever.

Enhanced Security

When it comes to tracking financial data, keeping everyone’s information secure is a top priority. FACTS Payment Forms considers this with PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance and industry-leading standards to protect everyone’s data and demographic information. Everyone in your school can enjoy complete peace of mind supported by top-tier security.

Conclusion

The days of overwhelming paper forms and complicated financial tracking are over. FACTS Payment Forms is the solution to simplify organizing your school’s data for a more convenient and efficient future.

Learn more about FACTS Payment Forms and how they can elevate the payments and forms processes at your school.

Thousands of FACTS users from across the country joined us July 8-11 in Atlanta, GA to journey into possibilities at Elevate 2024. We connected, collaborated, and created well-rounded relationships between teachers, administrators, and more.

Inspired by the gorgeous Georgia Aquarium and our Atlanta location, our theme “Journey Into Possibilities” perfectly encapsulated our experience at this year’s conference. Elevate is a place to get inspired by a world of possibilities, make new memories, and build upon our own experiences, and this year was no exception for our guests.

A major highlight was undoubtedly the three keynote speakers who shared their wisdom and experience over the course of the conference. Erin Gruwell, author of The Freedom Writers Diary and founder of The Freedom Writers Foundation, moved attendees Tuesday morning as she discussed how educators can inspire their students further and develop an environment filled with trust and communication.

Jeremy Penner, Director of Product Strategy at FACTS, joined us later in the day to share insights and future plans for FACTS products, highlighting the ways in which FACTS constantly try to improve our solutions to help users with the work they do every day. We also heard from FACTS President Scott Spethman, who shared important information on the future of FACTS, our company roadmap, and what keeps him and our associates motivated to keep developing new solutions.

We hope these sessions not only provided attendees with a closer look into the FACTS team, but also inspired them to keep building in their own schools and look forward to what’s next in edtech.

On top of our incredible keynote speakers, we offered over 200 sessions for attendees to explore. Whether they decided to follow one of our career tracks and focus on sessions that were specifically aimed at their field or wanted to explore other sessions for a breath of fresh air, we made it easy for attendees to create the agenda that best served them. Sessions tackled topics in Advancement and Development, Enrollment and Marketing, School Leadership, and much more.

We also offered new ways to connect with our Fireside Chats, more intimate conversations with the FACTS team to get answers to attendees’ questions and FACTS Product Trivia. In this lively game, top FACTS users competed to show off their FACTS product knowledge, winning fun FACTS branded gifts like Stanley cups. The grand prize winner even took home a free trip to Elevate 2025!

Of course, a visit to Atlanta calls for a trip to the biggest aquarium in the country and a taste of some great food. We had an amazing reception at the Georgia Aquarium, surrounding our guests with incredible animals like whale sharks, octopi, and more while enjoying a chance to connect with their peers in a serene environment.

We also led our attendees on a food tour throughout Atlanta, recommending unique restaurants and bars to get their fill. Atlanta is known as a diverse city with something for everyone, and we’re glad we were able to showcase that on this one-of-a-kind tour through the city.

Elevate 2024 was the best yet, and we can’t wait to see everyone again next year! Visit our website to learn more about Elevate and jump on our Super Early Bird Registration for Elevate 2025 in Salt Lake City!

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major part of today’s cultural conversation. But what exactly is AI? According to a report by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), “[AI] functions in a manner similar to humans in that it can sense, learn, reason, and then take actions. However, unlike humans, AI is comprised of algorithms, rules, and data sets that operate within a specific domain.”

You’ve probably used AI for years without realizing it. When you search for something on Google or ask Siri, Alexa, or any other virtual assistant a question, you’re using AI. But as technology rapidly evolves, it feels like more AI programs pop up every day.

The evolution of AI is changing the game for K-12 schools, giving teachers and administrators new tools to manage daily tasks more efficiently. In this blog post, we’ll cover the benefits of AI for K-12 schools as well as potential challenges and tips for creating a well-rounded AI policy.

There are many AI tools out there that can help teachers reduce hours spent after school preparing for the next day and free up time to focus on student outcomes and professional development. A study by McKinsey & Company found that “existing technology can help teachers reallocate 20 to 40 percent of their time to activities that support student learning.”

Here are some examples of AI tools that can benefit classroom teachers.

AI can streamline lesson planning and assist with the creation of supporting materials like writing prompts, handouts, project outlines, and more. McKinsey & Company estimates that AI technology can reduce time spent on preparation activities from 11 hours to six hours per week.

There are currently several tools on the market that support lesson planning. These include Education Copilot, Google Gemini, MagicSchool, and more.

Grading is another task that can take up significant time, causing teachers to work extensive hours outside of school. Tools like Gradescope and Essay Grader can speed up the grading process for a variety of assignment types including essays, worksheets, and exams.

Not only can AI help teachers become more efficient, but it can save time for school administrators as well. Many schools have a small team of administrators, requiring each person to wear multiple hats. This can make it difficult to keep up with daily workloads. Here are some examples of AI tools that can help school administrators do more with the resources they have.

Effective marketing is essential to a school’s success. But many schools only have the budget to hire one or two marketing professionals, if any at all. AI can help schools with limited resources enhance their marketing.

Graphic design tools like Canva offer AI features that make it easy for anyone to create social media images, event flyers, or presentations. Writing assistants like Grammarly and ChatGPT can help you craft blog posts, social media posts, and marketing emails faster, so you have more time to focus on your other responsibilities.

AI can save time for school staff by automating many tedious administrative tasks. Here are a few examples.

• An AI chatbot can assist parents with questions, reducing call volume to the front office.
• Built-in, automated reporting features in tools like your student information system reduce manual work.
• A tool that sends automated alerts and reminders to parents reduces the need for paper notices that get lost in backpacks.

With any new technology comes its challenges. AI is rapidly evolving, which brings concern for ethics, privacy and security, and improving AI literacy. Understanding potential challenges is an important first step when implementing AI at your school.

As AI becomes more popular, many are concerned that it will eliminate jobs. However, in their recent report CoSN said, “Though some narratives around AI leave teachers fearing for their jobs, both economists and education experts argue the opposite. The real potential for education lies in how AI augments what teachers and leaders do in schools, allowing them to be more adaptive.”

Plagiarism is another potential ethical concern. Training students, teachers, and staff on the appropriate use of AI is essential to avoid plagiarism. For example, rather than a student writing an essay without human involvement or an administrator creating a blog post with AI and publishing it without making any changes, use AI as a resource for brainstorming and generating ideas.

With new AI tools popping up every day, assessing the security of the programs your school uses is paramount. Some tools are built specifically for school environments with student privacy laws in mind, but others are less secure. Evaluating the privacy and security of AI tools on a case-by-case basis is a best practice for schools experimenting with AI.

To avoid ethical and security-related problems, improving AI literacy among your teachers, administrators, and students is important. To help schools better frame the role of AI in K-12, researchers with the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) identified Five “Big Ideas” for AI in K-12.

1. Perception: Computers perceive the world using sensors.
2. Reasoning: AI systems maintain representations of the world and use them for reasoning.
3. Learning: Computers can learn from data.
4. Human Interaction: Making AI systems interact comfortably with humans is a substantial challenge for AI developers.
5. Societal Impact: AI can impact society in both positive and negative ways.

Now that you’ve considered possible challenges related to AI and tools that can save time for your teachers and administrators, it’s important to establish an AI policy for your school. Here are some steps to help you build one.

1. Create guidelines for school personnel. What types of actions are teachers and administrators allowed to complete using AI? What is off-limits?
2. Decide if students are allowed to use AI. If they are allowed to use it, how? Is AI use by students limited to in-class activities or can they also use it for take-home assignments?
3. Determine which AI tools are approved for use by teachers, administrators, and students. Implement security restrictions on school computers that limit the use of unapproved technology.
4. Remain flexible. AI is constantly changing. Schools need to be ready to adapt as existing tools evolve and new tools are introduced.

At FACTS, we are committed to innovation. We use AI regularly to analyze data and improve our products. Our New Ventures team is specifically dedicated to seeking innovative solutions. This team continuously assesses opportunities to introduce new AI features into current and future products, creating efficiencies for FACTS customers.

Want to learn more about how FACTS solutions can make your school more efficient? Let’s chat!

Learning doesn’t only happen at school, and teachers need to work with parents to ensure students are learning and reinforcing material when they’re outside the classroom. That’s why building strong relationships between parents and teachers from the start is crucial.

Before the new school year begins, consider new strategies to make the most of parent-teacher relationships and use them to navigate classroom success all year round.

Establish Effective Channels of Communication

Keeping parents and teachers connected requires effective and convenient communication channels. From discussing the students’ needs to coordinating a success plan, managing an open line of communication is the key to creating a relationship that lasts.

Keep communication open between parents and teachers regarding student attendance, behavior, and educational achievements. Start with an introductory meeting to meet parents and establish a bond from the start of the year until the end and build on that connection with regular student teacher conferences or communications home via letters or emails. You can also leverage communication technology to help families stay connected, enhance their experience, and lean more on teachers.

Encourage Feedback on Both Sides

Like any relationship, giving and receiving feedback is important to ensure expectations are understood and met. It’s also important to keep feedback open to encourage growth on both ends.

In situations where students may be missing homework or showing misbehavior in class, being able to communicate with parents is crucial. This also goes for the parents in cases where maybe their student isn’t gaining or retaining information as expected or they have misunderstandings and questions parents can’t answer for them.

On the other hand, teachers can greatly benefit from hearing praise from parents on how well they are guiding students and teachers can feel welcome to reach out to parents and thank them for their support. Being open to receiving feedback on both ends can encourage trust and build bonds between parents and teachers that only deepens the relationship.

Get Involved

Getting involved outside of the classroom creates even more opportunities for teachers and parents to build on their relationship. At parent teacher conferences, communicate about the students’ behavior, progress, and goals to give each side motivation to keep talking.

Parents can also attend or volunteer to help with school events like dances or book fairs. Spending time together can help strengthen your connection with parents and even with students as you all engage with each other at school events.

Celebrate Together

Of course, coming together to celebrate your students’ wins is a big part of maintaining parent and teacher relationships. Aside from graduation and moving up ceremonies, celebrating the end of a successful year or an exciting beginning can motivate teachers, parents, and students to stay connected and maintain their bond.

The fun and excitement of celebrating every success shows how teachers are invested in students, building more trust with parents and students and making themselves a part of it all.

By working together and establishing bonds between parents, students, and teachers, lasting relationships can be the norm for everyone at your school. Keep parents and teachers in touch with the FACTS Family App and make it easy to keep relationships between them blossoming from one year to the next.

Summer is here, and for many students, this can mean a big potential for learning loss. This is the perfect opportunity for teachers to introduce new ways to keep students engaged and learning all year long, and what better way than taking students on virtual field trips? Explore new sights and experiences from anywhere and make learning something your students never miss out on.  

What is a Virtual Field Trip?  

Field trips are something every teacher is familiar with. It can be both fun and educational to bring together your whole class and explore museums, exhibits, or unique locations around your area. However, for some students and staff, it can be inconvenient or impossible to get together in person.  

With virtual field trips, teachers can bring their class together anytime and almost anywhere to gain experience and explore without the constraints of a physical meeting location. Field trips have long been a way to get students out of the classroom while still gaining valuable learning opportunities and this online option can be the solution to prevent learning loss or students forgetting material they may have learned over the school year.  

Virtual Field Trip Destinations 

Going virtual doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself when it comes to the experiences you can enjoy with your students. From museums to attractions around the world, there are almost no limits to the things your students can experience with virtual field trips.  

Many popular museums such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offer virtual tours, allowing your group to navigate various rooms and exhibits on your own time. Get a close-up view of unique artifacts and learn more about them with in-depth descriptions minus the crowds and distractions you may expect on an in-person field trip.  

Museums aren’t the only virtual experiences you can bring your students to either. Explore other unique virtual destinations, like a digital trip to national parks or video tours in cities around the world. 

Keeping Kids Active in the Digital World 

Over the summer, you probably expect your students to spend more time playing and less time learning, but with virtual field trips, you can perfectly meet them in the middle. Adding these experiences to your summer learning plan can both combat learning loss and reinforce the things your students are learning in every lesson. Bring your students on a virtual trip to the Louvre and combine it with a thoughtful lesson in classical art. The options for keeping students engaged and entertained all summer long are almost limitless. 

Summer learning and fun can go hand-in-hand. FACTS values making it easy for you to challenge your students all summer while still staying prepared, organized, and supported, letting you enjoy the fun too.  Learn more about FACTS education services to discover how you can leverage these tools to make learning fun and engaging for your students all year round.  

For both parents and schools, the well-being of children is the top priority. No matter how hard we try to create safe environments, accidents can happen. From playground falls to sports injuries and car accidents, the potential for unexpected incidents is a reality that can come with hefty medical bills. So, what is the best way to reduce anxiety and keep families financially protected? Consider student accident insurance. Keep reading to see the unexpected benefits of this coverage.

 

Understanding Student Accident Insurance

Student accident insurance may be used for expenses that arise from accidents in sports and on playgrounds and covers accidents incurred off school grounds, too. This cost-effective supplemental insurance pays a benefit due to a covered accident or sports injury, ensuring that parents are not burdened by out-of-pocket medical costs.

 

The Unexpected Benefits

With rising medical costs, it makes sense that the financial protection of student accident insurance is the most obvious draw of this supplemental coverage. While this is incredibly important, there are many more reasons why student accident insurance can benefit both families and schools – and help them feel confident both on and off campus. Here are just a few of these many benefits.

Decreases Parental Stress 

When a child is injured, it can be a stressful time for parents, and getting the care they need is the top priority. Having student accident insurance allows families to focus more on their children rather than the additional costs associated with injuries during this stressful time.

Supports Academic Performance

Even though most parents strive to keep their children away from the stresses of daily life, the financial burden of an unexpected sports injury can affect the entire family. With student accident insurance in place, families can remove a possible disruption to their student’s academic focus. This financial security provides the stability necessary for maintaining academic performance and educational continuity.

Backs Evolving Interests

Students are constantly discovering new activities and interests both on and off school grounds. While families can’t predict what’s next, they can be prepared with student accident insurance covering any injuries from a covered accident without interruption.

Protection from Costly Common Injuries

It’s not uncommon for young students to get into accidents. Falling, mishaps with items like scissors, or being struck by a ball in P.E. are all injuries most people expect, but even these small accidents can end up being costly instances that insurance can help make more manageable.

Facilitates Future Planning

24/7 student accident insurance can help make families’ future goals possible by shielding them from unexpected expenses that can completely disrupt a planned budget. This allows families to better plan for future financial needs, including education costs and other long-term goals.

Student accident insurance is an act of foresight. By offering families this coverage, schools demonstrate their commitment to the complete care of their students. At the same time, families that sign up gain confidence, a sense of financial security, and so much more.

 

To learn more about how easy and beneficial student accident insurance can be for your school and its families, explore Assurity’s reliable and comprehensive coverage.