The Lightspeed Blog

Learn about upcoming events, edtech insights, back-to-school tips, student mental health resources, software implementation and utilisation, and more, from the experts at Lightspeed on the Lightspeed Systems® blog.

From Overlooked to Optimized: How Lightspeed Signal™ Enhances Off-Campus Internet Visibility

As districts strive to close the homework gap, ensuring every student has dependable home connectivity outside of school hours is critical. However, many schools face challenges in understanding how well their off-campus internet solutions, like LTE hotspots, are actually performing. That's where Lightspeed Signal steps in.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: What the Data Tells Us About Student Struggles

Behind nearly every tragic story of student suicide is a pattern: unreported bullying, ignored warning signs, and silent suffering. The numbers back this up, but, more importantly, they paint a path forward. As bullying and mental health struggles continue to rise, K–12 schools need tools to detect early warning signs before a crisis occurs.

When the Questions Come, Will Your Data Deliver? 

Principals want proof a digital tool is helping students. Finance wants to know whether licenses are being fully used. IT is asked to monitor rogue and noncompliant apps, while curriculum leaders need evidence of instructional impact. Those questions come quickly — and the leaders who can answer them with clarity are the ones who build trust and guide the conversation forward.

From Awareness to Action: K-12 Suicide Prevention Beyond September

September arrives each year carrying both the promise of new academic beginnings and the sobering reminder that we're entering National Suicide Prevention Month. For educators and school administrators, this convergence creates a critical opportunity to move from awareness into action, turning the month's focus into concrete steps that protect student lives throughout the entire school year.

Back to School: Navigating the Hidden Risks of the Post-Summer Violence Spike

As the school bells ring and students flood back into classrooms after a long summer break, excitement fills the air. New backpacks, fresh supplies, and the promise of a new year. But beneath the surface, a concerning trend emerges: an uptick in school violence and threats as students readjust to the structure of school life.

The Real Cost of Inaction in UK Schools

Today, having a proactive approach to school safety isn't optional. It's essential. While most schools have safety plans in place, the biggest risks often emerge when early warning signs are missed or unreported.

Keeping K-12 Schools Safe from Phishing: Takeaways from Lightning Chat Episode 6

Phishing is is a major threat to K-12 schools, especially since many don’t have the budget or staff to tackle it head-on. In Lightning Chat Episode 6, John Genter, Chief Information Security Officer at Lightspeed Systems, and Brad White, Principal Applications Security Architect, sat down to talk about this.

Enhancing K-12 School Safety: Why Prevention, Detection, and Containment Matter

School safety isn't just about having the right security cameras or a solid emergency plan (though those are important pieces of the puzzle). Today's educational leaders understand that creating truly safe learning environments requires a multi-layered approach that addresses potential issues before they escalate into crises.

Cyberbullying in 2025: How to Combat the Growing Threat In Your School

Digital platforms have significantly transformed how students learn, connect, and communicate in the past decade. But alongside the benefits of this technology comes an unavoidable dark reality: cyberbullying has become one of the most pressing challenges facing schools today. Unlike the physical bullying that stays within school walls, cyberbullying follows students home.

From Uncertainty to Understanding: How Lightspeed Signal Detects Network Issues in Schools

A slow internet connection can bring learning to a frustrating halt. Yet, when users complain about network issues and slow speeds, IT teams often face the challenge of pinpointing the root cause. Is it the network itself, a particular device, the access point, or even external interference?

10 Lightspeed Classroom Features for Back-to-School That’ll Make You Say “Where Has This Been All My Life?”

Teaching in a digital classroom sometimes feels like playing Whac-A-Mole with student tabs. One second they’re on Google Docs… the next they’ve discovered the entire internet. That’s where Lightspeed Classroom steps in as the sidekick you didn’t know you needed. Here are the Top 10 features that make teaching with devices feel a little more manageable (and maybe even fun).

Understanding The Uvalde Strong Act: Strengthening Texas School Safety

The Uvalde Strong Act, more officially known as House Bill 33 (HB 33) from the 89th Texas Legislature, is a vital law aimed at strengthening emergency response protocols for active shooter incidents and other crises in K-12 schools.

From Reaction to Prevention – UK School Safety Measures

The focus in education is shifting. It's no longer just about responding after a crisis—today, UK schools are expected to spot the warning signs and act before harm occurs. This is the essence of proactive safeguarding intelligence: using real-time digital insights and student input to detect concerning behaviour early, so schools can intervene quickly and appropriately.

Devices in the Classroom: From Novelty to Necessity

Laptops and tablets are now essential in UK classrooms—but managing them at scale requires the right strategy. From GDPR compliance to real-time device insights, see how schools are improving learning outcomes while staying secure and efficient. Learn how smart edtech management is shaping future-ready education.

Great Debate: ID Requirements for Web Access – Safety Nuisance or Necessity?

With school safety incidents and mental health crises on the rise, monitoring student online activity is becoming a critical issue. But there’s tension between the need for proactive protection and concerns about student privacy. Is digital monitoring essential to keep students safe—or a step too far?

What Happens When Your Learning Management System Goes Down the First Week of School?

The first week of school is chaos enough. It’s the worst possible time for your Learning Management System (LMS) to go down. But that’s exactly what happened this fall. And here’s the kicker: the district’s IT team knew before the LMS vendor did.

Lightspeed Insight Webinar Recap: Your VIP Pass to What’s New!

Hey everyone! I’m Charlotte Lescroart and I am thrilled to have partnered with my colleague Mike Ruby to share all things new with Lightspeed Insight. As a Strategic Account Manager here at Lightspeed Systems, I get so excited about these sessions because they let me connect with educators and district leaders like you.

How Tennessee Schools Can Tap $20M in Safety Funding from TDOE

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is investing $20 million in one-time, reimbursement-based funding through the FY 2026 School Security Grant to strengthen school safety across the state. Applications are due September 30, 2025, via the ePlan portal.

A Guide for Creating a Safe and Supportive K-12 Classroom Environment

When students feel safe and supported in their classroom environment, everything else falls into place. Academic achievements improve, behavioral issues decrease, and young people begin to learn important life lessons. But creating this atmosphere of safety and support isn't always straightforward.

From Confusion to Clarity: How Lightspeed Signal Addresses Device Swapping and Shared Use in K-12 Schools

The practice of students sharing or swapping devices is becoming increasingly common in K-12 schools, bringing some serious challenges to IT departments. Keeping track of who has what device and ensuring everything runs smoothly can quickly turn into a logistics nightmare.

Streamline your EdTech: Cut Costs and Clutter from Unused Apps and Bloated Devices

As UK schools are preparing for the new academic year, IT teams are gearing up behind the scenes – provisioning devices, reviewing software, and making sure everything runs smoothly from day one. But while you’re getting everything ready for students and staff, it’s worth taking a moment to consider: what apps and software are being used – and what’s just taking up valuable space?

Developing Supportive Peer Networks to Nurture Student Wellness

Peer support serves as one of the most authentic and effective approaches to creating safer, more supportive school environments. When students learn to recognize signs of distress in their friends and understand how to respond appropriately, they become the first line of defense in protecting one another's wellbeing.

Tackling Cyberbullying: What UK Schools Can Do Today to Keep Students Safe

Cyberbullying has been prevalent for young people and schools over the last 20 years. An increase in screen-time and overall use of tech and internet has caused an increase in incidents of cyberbullying and harassment too. What does this look like for students?

From Overload to Order: How Lightspeed Signal Reduces Helpdesk Tickets by Detecting Performance Issues Early

Technology plays a pivotal role in delivering lessons and managing classrooms. But what happens when an essential app suddenly goes down? Often, teachers are the first to notice performance issues, and the ripple effects can disrupt learning and overwhelm IT support teams.

Student Safety in Action: Webinar Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined our recent “Student Safety in Action” webinar, and for leaning into this critical conversation. After 23 years in education, I know school safety isn’t optional, it’s essential, and it belongs to all of us. Our collective responsibility is to protect every student, every day.

AI Is Supercharging Cyberattacks on Schools. Here’s How to Fight Back

Ransomware attacks against K–12 schools are rising fast, and getting smarter. According to Comparitech, ransomware incidents in education jumped 23% in the first half of 2025, with an average ransom demand of $556,000. Semperis reports that 61% of IT and security leaders in education say their organizations were targeted in the past year.

Protecting Students in a Digital Age: Why Safety and Privacy Must Go Hand in Hand 

We appreciate the Associated Press for shining a light on the rising use of safety monitoring technology in schools. These are complex, emotional topics and they deserve open, honest discussion... This isn’t just a product line for us, it’s a mission. And it’s one we take seriously.

The Real-World Impact of Anonymous Reporting: How Lightspeed StopIt™ is Changing School Safety 

Ultimately, the power of anonymous reporting, and therefore of Lightspeed StopIt, goes beyond compliance or technology. When students know their voices matter, when staff feel supported, and when parents trust that their concerns will be heard, we create a community where everyone can thrive.

From Anonymity to Accountability: How Lightspeed Signal Tackles VPNs and Proxies

Students are increasingly finding ways to bypass web filters using VPNs, proxies, and anonymizers on school-issued devices. This trend poses significant risks to network security and compliance, making it a pressing concern for IT leaders in K-12 schools.

The 2025 State of Student Safety Deep Dive Webinar Recap

During yesterday’s webinar, product managers Gregory Artzt and Jennifer Duer shared not only a data-driven overview of current challenges in K-12 safety, but also real-world stories and actionable strategies for early intervention.
Load More