Group Buys for Keystone Area Schools

Schools may begin ordering group buys for the 2023-2024 school year on April 1.

Application involves filling out a one-page form, signed by the principal. Some group buys may require documentation.
You may purchase licenses for all programs at any time throughout the year. However, pricing increases after June 15 and again after September 15 for some products.
Informational flyers and group buy order forms are available below.

For ordering information email Amy Brincks or Tesha Moser-Zimmerman

Products Available

Gizmos

Virtual Simulations, Gr 3-12
$690.00/teacher
Contact: Sarah Sieck 800-632-5918

2022-23 Licenses (19 teachers within Keystone AEA; 7 teachers in schools across Iowa)

Keystone AEA is pleased to announce reduced pricing for Gizmos from ExploreLearning.com. Gizmos are virtual simulations aligned to the Iowa Core that promote inquiry and exploration of both science and mathematics for grades 3 through 12. For more information on Gizmos go to www.explorelearning.com/

ExploreLearning, the creators of Gizmos, uses a tiered purchasing system based on the number of teachers per building. Because most of our buildings would be unable to meet the number of teachers required to receive the lowest price, ExploreLearning will allow Keystone to be the "building" and purchase the teacher licenses using the group-buy system. Keystone would then bill back the cost to the school districts.

If interested in purchasing Gizmos please complete the application form and return by June 15th. You can access the application form using the following link:

Order Form

Related Information:

Explore Learning Blog: Keep up-to-date on the latest information on Gizmos!!!
Gizmos in the classroom- Best Practice
Planning Whole Group Instruction with Gizmos

KnowBe4

Contact: Karen Randall - Keystone AEA Network Specialist

Description: KnowBe4 is the world’s first and largest New-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform that helps our Districts and schools manage the ongoing problem of social engineering.

Pricing is for a 3-year contract at $16/user ($5.33/user/year) billed yearly for the KnowBe4 Diamond level (PhishER not included in this price). There is also a $300 initial configuration charge from the reseller.

NoRedInk

Writing Composition, Gr 5-12

Contact: Sarah Brincks 800-632-5918 ext. 1238

NoRedInk is an on-line comprehensive writing program that can provide students with the practice they need to improve their writing skills and meet students at their individual writing levels. Students will do hands-on exercises use a variety of question types to guide students from the sentence level to the paragraph level to the passage level. In adaptive with NoRedInk, students will see hints, lessons, and additional questions when they are struggling and be challenged more when they are getting things right.

Per NoRedInk, there is a 100-license minimum requirement. If your school is anticipating fewer than 100 licenses, please reach out to Keystone. The license rate varies based on the number of students; please reference the chart below.

Student and School Licensing Price Chart

Keystone AEA will subsidize the program at a reimbursement of $6 per student license if the application is submitted by June 15, 2023

NoRedInk Application

School Systems Conference Calendar

Scheduling Program for Parent/Teacher Conferences
$150/building
Contact: Bev Berns 800-632-5918

Conference Calendar is an easy to use online parent/teacher conference scheduling program. Just set up your building schedule, share with parents and let them schedule conferences with teachers that works for them. It works on any mobile device!

Conference Calendar now interfaces with three video conferencing platforms: Google Meet, Zoom, and Jitsi Meet. There is also a telephone option. If enabled, parents will have a field where they can enter the best phone number to reach them and the teacher will see that number on their schedule.

Order Form

Getting Started Video

Company Website

Please contact My School Systems for specific questions about the program: info@mySchoolSystems.com or call (319) 560-1336

Pear Deck

Iowa Area Education Agencies are now offering a partnership with Pear Deck to provide districts and schools at a reduced annual subscription rate, running from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. This agreement has ensured districts throughout Iowa have access to Pear Deck at the same per-student price, no matter the size of student enrollments.

Please see this informational document for more details.

Seesaw

Digital Learning Platform, Student Engagement PK-12

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are renewing the partnership with Seesaw to offer districts and schools a reduced annual subscription rate, running from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. This agreement has ensured districts throughout Iowa have access to Seesaw at the same per-student price, no matter the size of student enrollments.

Questions? Contact: Mindy Reimer

SEESAW for SCHOOLS / AEA PARTNERSHIP DETAILS