Cold Spring School District logoCold Spring Innovation Plan

2026–2027 AI Implementation & Innovation Plan

Five focus areas, one shared belief: every child, every day.

Our approach touches five connected parts of school life. Together, they help us bring AI into Cold Spring classrooms without ever losing sight of the people at the center — our students, our teachers, and our families.

01

AI-Enhanced Teaching & Learning

Carefully chosen tools that help teachers plan lessons, differentiate for every learner, and give students new ways to create.

For students (via Clever)

  • Khanmigo — AI-powered tutoring
  • Freckle & Next Gen Math — adaptive math practice
  • Canva, Adobe Express, Suno AI & Imagi — creative content
  • imagi (Grade 3–6) — learn Python and use AI to design websites and apps

For teachers

  • ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude — writing & ideas
  • Perplexity, Gamma, NotebookLM & Lovable — research & presentation
  • Google Workspace — lesson planning & differentiation

Example projects

  • Journalism with AI using Adobe Express
  • STEAM design-thinking for community challenges
  • Differentiated reading companions
  • Personalized math support
  • Website and app design
02

AI Literacy, Independent Thinking & Judgment

Just as we teach digital citizenship, we're teaching AI citizenship — with warmth and honesty.

What students will learn

  • AI Fundamentals — what it is, what it can and can't do
  • Effective Prompting — asking clear, specific questions
  • Critical Evaluation — checking outputs for bias and accuracy
  • Ethical Use — attribution, and knowing when to think for themselves

How we teach it

  • "AI Detectives" program
  • Writing comparison activities
  • Research challenges

Common Sense Media curriculum

03

Professional Learning & Empowerment

Our educators deserve full support as they explore this new frontier. Our approach has three layers.

Foundation

  • Twice-monthly professional learning for all staff to explore, ask, and share in a low-pressure space.

Application

  • Workshops focused on specific subjects and grades, with ready-to-use lesson plans.

Innovation

  • Advanced coaching for teacher-leaders to build custom applications and mentor peers.
04

Parent Communication & Community

Families are partners in this. We'll keep the door — and the conversation — open.

What families can expect

  • Updated Acceptable Use Policy with clear guidelines
  • Interactive parent AI workshops (hands-on!)
  • Regular board, Parent Club, newsletter & forum updates
05

Responsible Use & Governance

Clear boundaries, teacher-controlled access, and an annual review — so trust is earned every year.

The commitments

  • Current Acceptable Use Policy plus AI-specific guidance under review
  • Teacher-controlled access to AI tools
  • Structured annual review of tools and practices
  • Digital citizenship integration using ISTE & Common Sense Media

Want to see the specific tools?

Every tool we're using — for students, teachers, and creative work — in one place.

Browse the toolkit →