This week, we are joining schools around the world to celebrate the Hour of AI! You may be hearing the term "Artificial Intelligence" everywhere, but what does it really mean for our students? The "Hour of AI" is a global movement designed to demystify artificial intelligence and introduce students to how machine learning works.
We believe that when used appropriately, AI is not just a shortcut, but a creative co-pilot. It can help brainstorm ideas for stories, explain complex math problems, or even help us learn new languages. However, just like any tool, it requires responsibility. As we emphasize in our "News & Media Literacy" curriculum, students must be "critical thinkers and creators" rather than just passive consumers. Understanding AI helps students recognize bias, verify facts, and protect their digital footprint.
📊 Did You Know?
As we introduce these new tools, maintaining balance is key. According to a widespread study by Common Sense Media, teenagers (ages 13-18) use an average of 8 hours and 39 minutes of screen media per day for entertainment alone. As we explore AI, let's remember to use technology with purpose!
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Are you ready to become an AI expert? We have created a special Choice Board filled with engaging "Hour of AI" activities suitable for middle schoolers. But that's not all—we are launching the official Simmons AI Academy!
How to Earn Your Graduate Action Figure:
We want you to learn how to use these powerful tools safely. Follow these steps to join the "Graduate Wall":
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Train: Complete the "Intro to MagicStudent" course (linked below). This short course will teach you the specific tools available in MagicSchool.
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Learn: Enter the MagicStudent Room titled "AI Literacy & Digital Citizenship" (room linked below) to practice engaging with AI responsibly.
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Reflect: After exploring the tools in the MagicStudent room, complete the AI Academy Google Form (form linked below) to review what you learned and how the tools can be used for schoolwork.
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Certify: Once you finish the course, save your Certificate of Completion.
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Submit: Email your certificate to the Technology Coach, Ms. Smith - thersmith@hoover.k12.al.us
🏆 The Reward: Once you have completed these steps, you will receive an official Simmons AI Academy Certificate and be invited to design a custom Action Figure to be displayed on our "Simmons AI Academy Graduate Wall" in the hallway and online!
You can also find this information and the links in your Techy Tidbits Google Classroom.
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Just as we teach students to "Pause Before You Click" to avoid phishing and scams, we must apply similar caution to AI.
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Privacy First: Remind your child never to put personal identifying information (full name, address, etc.) into an AI chatbot. We care about everyone's privacy.
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Critical Thinking: AI can sometimes "hallucinate" or give incorrect facts. Encourage your child to always cross-check AI answers with reliable sources.
Let's make this a great week of learning and discovery!
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Happy holidays! While you're hunting for gifts on Etsy, streaming festive movies, or finding recipe inspiration on social media, don’t forget—cyber criminals are working overtime too!
Online scams spike during the holidays as fraudsters exploit our distraction and the shopping rush. Watch out for too-good-to-be-true deals, fake payment alerts, phishing emails, and fraudulent shopping sites.
The best defense? Slow down and think before you click.
That's why Common Sense Media and Take 9 are encouraging young people, parents, and educators to pause—for just nine seconds—before clicking, sharing, or downloading.
Nine seconds can be all it takes to keep you and your family safe from scams, data theft, and phishing attacks. In our hurry-up, do-it-now lifestyle, we can all benefit from taking a few seconds before we click.
- Make it a habit. Encourage your kids and yourself to pause for nine seconds before clicking, downloading, or sharing online.
- Share this resource (pausetake9.org) with family, friends, students, and colleagues as a trusted guide for online safety.
- Talk about it with your family. What made you pause, and how did it feel? Was it a strange link, an unfamiliar sender, or a deal that looked too good to be true?
Learn more and find easy-to-use resources at pausetake9.org, and be sure to make this holiday season meaningful, happy—and safe!
Tip provided by Danny Weiss, Common Sense Media's Chief Advocacy Officer
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What are Cache and Cookies?
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Cache: Think of the cache as your browser's short-term memory. When you visit a website, your browser saves temporary copies of elements like images, logos, and other files. This way, the next time you visit the same site, it can load much faster because it doesn't have to download everything again.
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Cookies: Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device. They remember information about you to personalize your experience. This is why a website remembers your login information, shopping cart items, or language preferences.
Why Clearing Them is Important
- Improves Performance and Speed
- Fixes Website and Login Issues
- Enhances Privacy and Security.
When Should You Clear Them?
Clearing your cache and cookies is a great first step in troubleshooting any browser-related issues. It's also a good practice to do periodically—perhaps once every few months—to keep your device in top shape.
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Welcome back, middle schoolers and families! 🎒 My name is Ms. Smith and I am the Technology Coach at Simmons Middle School. I am so excited to start a new school year with you! The Technology Department is here to support you with your HCS issued device and online learning tools. Let's make this a great year of learning and discovery! 🚀💻 |
The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a cornerstone of responsible Chromebook use. Upon receipt of the HCS device, you have agreed to the HCS Acceptable Use Policy. "Acceptable Use" means using the privileges given in a responsible and ethical manner. Remember these important details:
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No Expectation of Privacy: The Chromebook and HCS Google accounts are property of Hoover City Schools, and all activity can be reviewed.
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Rules Apply Everywhere: All filters and acceptable use rules apply whether your student is at school or at home.
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Consequences: Improper use can lead to suspended privileges or device revocation.
Please click HERE to review the HCS Middle School Chromebook Acceptable Use slidedeck. Click HERE to review the HCS Acceptable Use Policy in full.
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As a reminder, each device is owned, labeled, and inventoried by Hoover City Schools. Chromebooks have a clear case that should not be removed or the warranty will be voided.
To ensure the longevity and proper use of your HCS Chromebook, please keep these guidelines in mind:
Care & Handling:
- Keep food/drinks away and avoid extreme temperatures.
- Report damages or lost/stolen devices immediately.
- Bring a charged device to school daily.
- Do not add personal stickers or drawings.
Home Use:
- You and your student are responsible for device activity outside of school.
- Discuss where the device will be stored, used, and charged at home, ideally outside the student's room for monitoring.
- Establish family rules for at-home use.
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Protection Plan: An optional Protection Plan is available annually at myschoolfees.com for unforeseen damages.
Please click HERE to review the HCS Parent Chromebook Guidelines For more tips on device usage and digital citizenship, visit www.commonsensemedia.org.
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Please check your Chromebooks for an update on a weekly basis, especially when preparing for assessments like iReady or ACAP. It's a great idea to check to see if your Chromebook needs an update every Monday morning. |
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Additional settings for Safari Browser.
