December 2023 National News

Registration for the 2024 Innovation Challenge is now open!

Students in grades K-5 (Elementary) and 6-12 (Middle/High School) are invited to submit creative solutions for safeguarding our delicate ecosystems in one of the following categories:

• Habitat Restoration
• Ocean Vitality
• Future Farm
• Endangered Species
• Animal Welfare & Rescue
• Community Engagement

PRIZES will be awarded to top proposals from each grade band.

Submit your proposal by January 16th, 2024.

Click here to register and to learn more!

Registration is now closed for the 2024 K12 Robotics League.

Students are getting ready for the first virtual Initial Friendly Challenge on January 24, 2024

1st-Round Qualifier - March 11-15, 2024

2nd-Round Qualifier - April 8-12, 2024

In person Final Round in June, 2024

Learn more about K12 Robotics League! 🎉

https://enrichment.k12.com/robotics-competition/

Learn all about the Florida state marine mammal – the manatee! Discover the role CMA plays in the rescue and protection of this majestic species.

WHEN: 12/6/23 at 1:30pm ET

Click here to register!

Join the Nashville Zoo for a Super Snake filled Zooventure where we learn more about our reptile friends and what it takes to care for them!

WHEN: 12/8/23 at 2:00pm ET

Click here to register!

Alysa McCall is a conservation biologist specializing in polar bears; she is based out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada but spends every fall and part of every summer in Churchill, Manitoba, sometimes called the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Alysa has been studying Canadian polar bears for seven years, focusing largely on the western Hudson Bay subpopulation, one of the first to show impacts of climate change. She currently works for Polar Bears International, supporting research and directing conservation outreach programs, all with a mission to protect the polar bear and its sea ice home for future generations. Alysa loves speaking to people across the world about polar bears and their unique lifestyle, and is passionate about helping students feel empowered to take action on climate change.

WHEN: 12/14/23 at 2:00pm ET

Click here to register!

The 2023 K12 In-Focus Photography Competitions is now closed! Thank you, students, for all of your great submissions!

Public Voting for the 2023 K12 In-Focus Photography is now closed! Thank you all for casting your votes!

Mark your calendars for the 2023 In-Focus K12 Photography Winner Reveal on January 27th, 2024

We've teamed up with the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to bring you the in-person reveal of the In-Focus Photography Competition winners on January 27th, 2024. Streaming live from Facebook, it's an event you won't want to miss!

Sign up for our 12 Days of Gaming here: https://sway.office.com/5TYmlXLtC9gWf1LB?ref=Link

Check out the December edition of our esports and video game newsletter! It has information on how to sign up for the Stride Video Game Club and to the esports email list.

Sign up to the email list and use the esports newsletter to keep an eye out for all of the exciting esports and video game events the esports staff have coming your way!

Stride Esports Newsletter

The Stride Minecraft Network is now live! Join using the IP address mc.stride.gg and experience minigames, build challenges, and a multiplayer survival experience like no other!

Note: this server is publicly available and is not exclusive to students in a K12-powered school.

https://stride.gg/minecraft/mini_games/clumsy_crew/

Create within Minecraft a case of biodiversity!

Click here to enter and vote for your favorite entry!

Creating your version of Sail Away using LEGOs!

The Minecraft and LEGO Challenges are open to any K12-powered school students in Kindergarten through 12th grade! Students who are 13 years of age or younger will need their parent or guardian to submit on their behalf. See full terms and conditions for eligibility and contest details.

Each month’s challenge opens the first day of the calendar month at 9:00am ET and ends 4:59pm ET on the last day of the calendar month.

All entries eligible for the Contest will be prescreened within five business days of submission prior to posting in the gallery.

Click here to enter and vote for your favorite entry!

New Sign-In Page

K12 is making some changes to make logging into your O365 account even easier. Starting Dec 10th, when signing in to your 0365 account directly you will now be asked for your Stride Username as opposed to using your school email as the username. This will be the same username and password you log into the online school. This change will only affect when logging into O365 directly. If you access your inbox/outbox from a quick link in the OLS or OMHS, you will automatically be taken to your O365 account still.

1. Register for career prep webinars with our certified coaches to learn about resumes, interviewing, internships and more!

2. Compete in NCDA’s 58th annual Poetry & Art Contest and represent K12!

3. Learn about career skills in videos put together by Stride Success Coaches:

· “Fastfood & Future Career Have In Common”

· “How To Support Your Student Through Career Exploration”

· “10 First jobs ideas for Teen that are not in retail”

Plus, get more ways to engage students in National Career Development Month with this interactive flyer you can share with your students!

The online Career Services Center is now virtually OPEN! Get ahead with our brand-new Career Services Center! Discover a world of career options, learn how to secure internships, and access career prep resources for your high school student. Connect with knowledgeable career & college prep success coaches who can guide you in preparing your students to make informed decisions.

What else can you expect?!

· Student Career Assessment

· Internship and job search tools

· Resume tips and resources

· Career related articles

· And so much more right at your fingertips!

VISIT THE CAREER SERVICES NOW!

Title: The Future of Work: Hottest Tech Jobs for Gen Z

Date: Friday, January 26, 2024

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Ever wondered what it's like to work in IT? Get ready for an eye-opening experience! Join our webinar, "The Future of Work: Hottest Tech Jobs for Gen Z," where we'll have an expert speaker spill the secrets on the hottest careers in tech. From cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, discover the diverse and exciting paths that await you in the ever-evolving world of technology.

Don't miss out on this invaluable insight as you chart your course for a future in the tech industry! Share with your squad! Secure your spot NOW for this exclusive career accelerator!

Attendees who register and view the entire event have a chance to win a $25 Gift Card! One winner will be chosen each Event.

We are so excited to announce we have a Stride K12 Student Engagement Instagram Channel! You can find us @k12.student

This channel is meant to share about student engagement opportunities, as well as showcase student talent and elevate student voices to feel seen and heard! This channel is for our students to follow and connect with one another, as well as see what fun things we have happening!

K12 has teamed up with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) on a 20% tuition scholarship discount from SNHU to eligible high school graduates of Stride K12-powered schools.

To learn more about the K12 to SNHU program, visit www.snhu.edu/stridek12

Flyer for Students

Join Learning Coach Social Sessions every Tuesday on Zoom to socialize with other Learning Coaches, ask for or offer advice, and simply chat with other adults. Register today in the National Learning Coach Community.

LC Mental Health Series continues the second Wednesday of every month @ 3:00-4:00PM ET, followed by a guest moderator session in the National Learning Coach community in the k12 app. Designed for Learning Coaches, Parents, and Guardians, staff are welcomed to register and join as well.

• November 8th Emotional Regulation: Interrupting Negative Emotions https://cookcenter.info/StrideNov8
• January 10th De-escalating Cycles of Conflict https://cookcenter.info/StrideJan10
• February 14th Compassionate Parenting & Self-Compassion https://cookcenter.info/StrideFeb14
• March 13th Mindfulness for Improved Mental Health https://cookcenter.info/StrideMarch13

My #LearningCoachLife Today The Learning Coach Community is a place we want to feel real, authentic, and connected. Once a week, members are notified to capture and share a photo in the National LC Community as a way to connect and share real experiences with other Learning Coaches.

Community Matters

Make the most of your #LearningCoachLife and join us in Communities built for Learning Coaches. Learning Coach Communities are a safe and caring online space where you can:

· Access resources and information to help you navigate all things #LearningCoachLife

· Find, connect, and develop relationships with other Learning Coaches

· Learn from and encourage other Learning Coaches

· Engage in discussion boards and direct message other Learning Coaches

Join your school’s LC Community:

· Find school-specific information and resources

· Develop relationships with other families at your school

· Be in the know about what is happening at your school

Join the K12 National Community:

· Premier access to updates, info, and exclusive content

· Expert-moderated discussion boards

· Social sessions for Learning Coaches

· Dedicated Customer Support Champions

· Ways to connect students with other students

You can access the Learning Coach Community in the Online School or K12 App by simply logging in with your Learning Coach credentials and clicking ‘Community’.

Download the K12 app, log in using your Learning Coach credentials and join the National LC Community. #learningcoachlife

Learn more at www.learningcoachlife.com

RECEIVE SUPPORT AS A NEW LEARNING COACH!

We are honored you chose a K12-powered school for your student(s)! We strive to provide you with helpful content, resources, and connections to be successful in your important role as a Learning Coach.

Please visit our K12 National Learning Coach Programming Newsletter frequently to view the latest Learning Coach sessions and information.

Explore K12 on your smartphone or tablet! And stay tuned, we're continually adding new app features.

The K12 app is a great resource for parents and legal guardians, keeping you in the loop starting with your online school search to completing the enrollment process to the last day of the school year and beyond!

With the K12 app, you'll have the power to:

• Start and complete enrollment
• Track your student's progress†
• View your schedule†
• Log daily attendance†
• Receive instant notifications
• Communicate your plans for future school years

The K12 app experience may vary by school. If you have questions, call 866.571.4316 for information.

†This feature is only applicable in some schools.