Home Resources Blog

The Lightspeed Blog

Learn about upcoming events, K-12 edtech insights, back-to-school tips, student mental health resources, software implementation and utilization, and more, from the experts at Lightspeed on the Lightspeed Systems® blog.

Filter by Product:

Filter by Topic:

Too Many Tools? Spring Cleaning for Your EdTech Stack

After years of rapid adoption and emergency funding, many districts are realizing they have too many tools — and not enough clarity on what’s actually being used. Add budget deficits, rising software costs, and stricter privacy mandates to the mix, and it’s clear: a spring cleaning is overdue.

We Can’t Count on Metal Detectors to Prevent School Shootings

While metal detectors, door locks, and bulletproof glass serve as important safety measures, they are ultimately a last line of defense. If we find ourselves depending on these tools to protect lives, we are already in a state of crisis – we’re reacting rather than preventing.

Why Parent Transparency Matters More Than Ever in K–12 Edtech

There’s a new reminder from the top: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently sent a Dear Colleague letter to K–12 schools across the country. The message? Schools must take parent transparency seriously—especially when it comes to student digital activity and the digital tools kids are using every day.

Turn Your FCC Cybersecurity Grant Into Powerful Protection with Lightspeed Systems

Lightspeed Systems offers education-focused cybersecurity solutions that directly align with the FCC’s eligible services categories. As a proud supporter of educational institutions, Lightspeed Systems is here to assist awardees in effectively utilizing these funds to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure.

What NY Schools Need to Know About Google Restrictions and How to Stay Compliant Without Losing Momentum

In early 2025, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) restricted student access to several Google services, including YouTube, Google Translate, Google Earth, and Google Photos.

The Game of Distraction: How Schools Can Take Back the Digital Classroom

Digital learning has opened incredible doors in education — access to resources, personalized learning, and new ways to connect. But let’s be honest: it’s also opened a giant window for distraction. And for many schools, that window has been left wide open.

Digital Red Flags: Lessons from the Covenant School Shooting

The findings underscore a critical truth: many school threats leave a digital activity trail before becoming real-world violence. By recognizing and acting on these warning signs, schools may be able to intervene before tragedy strikes.

From Safe AI to Safer AI: Google Gemini + Lightspeed Alert

Artificial intelligence isn’t a “next big thing” — it’s a now thing. Students across the country are using tools like Google Gemini to learn faster, explore deeper, and ask bigger questions. And that includes questions about mental health, self-harm, and violence.

Lightspeed Alert Drives Life-Saving Interventions in Southeast School District

A Southeast school district is crediting Lightspeed with helping to prevent multiple student imminent self-harm and violence threats—intervening in moments when students were in crisis and actively searching for ways to harm themselves or others. Staff estimate the district has been able to save at least ten students who were in the act of planning to self-harm.

From Awareness to Action: A Closer Look at Rosedale Union School District’s Approach to Student Safety

Today, Lightspeed Systems had the privilege of hosting a webinar with Rosedale Union School District, where we explored proactive strategies to enhance student safety. The session, titled From Awareness to Action, provided an in-depth discussion on actionable steps schools can take to address safety challenges.

10 Things Parents Need to Know About Student Safety Monitoring

If you're a parent reading headlines about AI scanning your child's screen, you're probably feeling a mix of concern, confusion, and maybe even frustration. That’s totally fair. But here's the truth: today’s students are growing up in a world where their biggest struggles don’t always show up in person — they show up online.

Safer Internet Centre for 2025 Reaccreditation

At Lightspeed Systems, safeguarding students and ensuring a secure online environment for schools is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to announce that we have been re-accredited with the 2025 UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) Filtering Accreditation, reaffirming our commitment to providing schools with trusted, effective, and compliant filtering solutions.

What does Oklahoma HB 2371 represent for student safety?

Senate Bill S5025, currently under legislative review, introduces new provisions focused on student safety and digital threat management, reinforcing schools’ responsibilities in protecting students from cyber threats and online harassment.

Stay Ahead of New DASA Compliance Requirements

New York schools must prepare for the latest compliance updates under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). Senate Bill S5025, currently under legislative review, introduces new provisions focused on student safety and digital threat management, reinforcing schools’ responsibilities in protecting students from cyber threats and online harassment.

What Student Safety Monitoring Tools Don’t Do (And Why That Matters)

Schools are increasingly turning to student safety monitoring tools to help protect students from online threats, self-harm, cyberbullying, and other digital dangers. While these tools play a crucial role in creating a safer learning environment, there are still plenty of misconceptions about what they actually do—and what they don’t do.

5 Key Reports Every Curriculum & Instruction Leader Needs

Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) leaders aim to ensure that instructional strategies and materials—both digital and traditional—are effective and aligned with district instructional and compliance standards. Within are five essential reports that an advanced K12 platform can provide.

5 Key Reports Every K-12 Finance Leader Needs

Today, K-12 finance leaders are tasked with balancing tight budgets, maximizing returns on technology investments, and ensuring transparency for stakeholders. Having the right data at the right time is crucial.

5 Must-Have Reports for School Board Decision-Making

School board members face a monumental task: steering the district toward academic excellence while ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance, and overall student well-being. In a landscape where technology permeates every classroom, data and reporting have become essential tools for making informed decisions.

5 Essential Reports for K-12 IT Admins

K-12 technology administrators are the unsung heroes of today’s digital classrooms, juggling everything from device rollouts and network security to software updates and user support. A key part of this role is having clear, actionable data that informs everything from budgeting to bandwidth allocation.

5 Essential Reports for K-12 Safety and Student Services Teams

Student safety is a top priority for K-12 schools, and data plays a crucial role in identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and supporting well-being. With the right reports, safety and student services teams can proactively address concerns and create a secure learning environment.

How 7 Critical K-12 IT Challenges Sparked Lightspeed Signal’s Creation

K12 IT leaders have a tall order: keep devices secure and compliant, manage assets effectively, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and respond to outages before chaos erupts—all with limited time and resources. Rather than guess what districts need, we asked them directly.

Great Debate: Monitoring Student Online Activity — Safety Net or Invasive Surveillance?

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?

Quicker Incident Responses: A Real-Time Saver for K-12 Admin

The Complex Challenge of Managing Student Safety What happens when you receive an urgent alert about cyberbullying targeting a student or a concerning message about potential self-harm? For scho...

Is Everyone Too Freaked Out About Student Screen Time?

Just two words, and yet they spark debates in school board meetings, parent forums, and education conferences across the country. The concern is understandable—parents, educators, and policymakers all want what's best for students. But like most hot-button topics, the conversation around screen time in schools often lacks nuance.

Webinar Recap: Lightspeed Classroom 2025 Roadmap – What’s New, What’s Coming, and Your Questions Answered

Yesterday, the product team hosted an engaging webinar to share the latest updates, upcoming features, and future plans for Lightspeed Classroom. The session, led by Charlotte Lescroart, Strategic Account Manager, and Mike Ruby, Director of Product Management for Classroom, provided valuable insights into how Lightspeed is addressing challenges in digital learning and empowering educators with innovative tools.

Great Debate: Sending Devices Home — Essential for Connectivity or Asking for Trouble?

As schools aim to close the digital divide, many districts are grappling with a tough question: Should students take school-provided devices home, or is it safer and more cost-effective to keep them at school? Here’s why this decision matters—and what schools need to weigh before deciding.

5 Key Reports Your Superintendent Wants

Superintendents carry the vital responsibility of setting the vision and strategic direction for their entire school district. From overseeing academic performance to ensuring financial accountability and efficiency, data is central to making informed decisions that positively impact students and staff.

Moving Beyond Reactive Student Safety to Proactive Early Detection & Intervention

Traditional security measures—such as metal detectors, surveillance cameras, fences, and door locks—serve as essential components of school safety protocols. However, these measures often act as reactive solutions, addressing threats only after they have materialized.

Proactive School Safety: How SROs and K-12 Safety Professionals Can Collaborate for a Safer, Healthier Campus

School safety demands more than just emergency drills and secure entries. From preventing potential threats to nurturing mental well-being, School Resource Officers (SROs) and other K-12 safety professionals play a critical role in creating a holistic environment where students can thrive.

A New Chapter in Proactive Student Safety: Lightspeed Systems + STOPit Solutions

We’re not just merging companies. We’re merging missions. And we’re just getting started. Learn more about how Lightspeed Alert + STOPit can help enhance safety at your school.

Building Resilience in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

The Lightspeed Platform