The web tool writes full units against three instructional frameworks at once and cuts district spending on outside curriculum software and consultants

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) has released the ACES Curriculum Studio, a web application that helps Connecticut K-12 educators design standards-based curriculum in a fraction of the usual time.

Every unit is built through three frameworks at once: Connecticut’s K-12 Universal Curriculum Design Principles, Understanding by Design (UbD), and CAST’s Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines. The tool guides teachers from learning outcomes and assessments through instructional sequencing and supports for diverse learners.

“Teachers spend nights and weekends building units from scratch,” said Bob Hutchins, Ph.D., AI Literacy Advisor at ACES and the tool’s creator. “This does the structural work and gives the judgment back to them.”

A teacher can generate transfer goals, essential questions, performance tasks checked against the 6 Facets of Understanding, standards-aligned rubrics, and lesson-level material such as warm-ups, exit tickets, guided notes, and formative assessments. Facilitation tips are detailed enough for a substitute to teach from.

Every element draws on a built-in database of 3,451 Connecticut standards across 21 content areas, from ELA and math to personal finance, SEL, and AI literacy.

“Educators spend less time formatting documents and more time making instructional decisions,” said Dr. Jessica White, Assistant Director of the ACES Center for AI. “Teachers stay in control.”

Finished work exports as editable Word files, PDF lesson plans, and PowerPoint decks. Courses move through a submit, review, and publish workflow, and a shared catalog lets districts adopt, clone, rate, and give feedback on each other’s units.

Most districts pay for curriculum twice, through software licenses and outside consultants. The Curriculum Studio covers both. Curriculum platforms commonly run $50,000 to $200,000 or more on multiyear contracts, and consultants charge roughly $800 to $2,500 a day.

“One tool now does work that 25 districts were paying for separately,” said Tim Howes, Deputy Executive Director at ACES. “The savings can stay in classrooms.”

Learn More at – https://www.acespdsi.org/curriculum-creator.

Media Contact:
Jessica White
(860) 834-6147
426002@email4pr.com 

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SOURCE ACES Center For AI

BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “I’ll know it when I see it” is a common and challenging starting point for many custom jewelry commissions. Custom jeweler Olertis has introduced a free AI Jewelry Design Studio, an online tool that allows users to visualize their jewelry ideas without any drawing or design experience. By simply describing a concept in everyday language, users can generate photorealistic jewelry images and explore different creative directions.

To mark the launch, Olertis is offering 10% off all custom jewelry orders placed during the one-month promotional period.

For example, a couple designing wedding bands may want a shared visual element while keeping each band distinct. One partner may wish for a simple, clean-lined band, while another may desire a more ornate band. Using the AI studio, they can explore a shared motif or pattern for both bands while keeping each distinct.

Users of the AI jewelry generator can upload images of finished jewelry and experiment with the changes they would like to see (e.g., a different type of stone or setting). In addition, an image could serve as a reference point for creating a completely new piece: for example, a design element from a family heirloom ring could be used in a pendant. Comparing images of previous designs helps users decide which elements to keep and which to change before sharing their ideas with Olertis’ designers.

Having freedom to experiment also allows users to test out an idea they may be unsure about. Once a concept takes form, they can then determine if they like the direction the design is headed, or if they would rather go back to the drawing board and try again. This gives users time to consider their ideas before commissioning a piece.

“Good design conversations always start by asking ‘what does your jewelry need to say about you?’ It can be subtle and unobtrusive or bold and sculptural. It can even represent something that only you understand. As designers, we’re tasked with listening carefully and translating that intention into a wearable work of art. By providing customers with time to explore concepts first, we help them take a more active role in shaping their piece,” said Natalie Richard, designer and customer support manager at Olertis.

Turning an AI-generated concept into a finished piece requires practical decisions about size, materials and construction.

Users who wish to bring their ideas to life can submit their preferred designs directly through the AI Jewelry Design Studio to request a complimentary initial consultation and production cost estimate. Olertis’ designers work closely with customers to review the details and ensure the final design is both stunning and practical to wear.

All custom pieces at Olertis are made in solid gold or platinum, with 3D CAD software used for custom jewelry design. Prices for custom pieces begin at $1,800.

The AI Jewelry Design Studio is available free of charge at https://olertis.com/ai-jewelry-design-studio/ .

Media Contact
Rebecca Martinez
603-416-4448
426004@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Olertis, LLC

Valmet Oyj’s stock exchange release on October 30, 2026 at 13:30 p.m. EET

ESPOO, Finland, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Valmet announced on October 15, 2024, that Metsä Fibre had filed a request for arbitration against Valmet concerning Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproduct mill in Finland, claiming approximately EUR 47 million. Metsä Fibre also indicated potential additional claims, then estimated at approximately EUR 65 million. Valmet disputed the claims and pursued claims of its own against Metsä Fibre. At the end of the third quarter 2026, the open claim against Valmet amounted to approximately EUR 33.5 million.

The parties have now reached an agreement to settle the dispute, whereby the arbitration proceedings have been closed. The settlement also covers certain other claims and reservations between the parties. The details of the settlement remain confidential.

The settlement impact will be recorded in Valmet’s fourth-quarter 2026 results and will be reported as an item affecting comparability.

Further information:
Rasmus Oksala, General Counsel, Valmet, tel. +358 50 3173 830
Pekka Rouhiainen, VP, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020

VALMET

Niklas Nylund
Interim CFO

Pekka Rouhiainen
VP, Investor Relations

DISTRIBUTION:
Nasdaq Helsinki
Major media

www.valmet.com

Valmet is a global technology leader in serving process industries. We work with our customers throughout the lifecycle, delivering cutting-edge technologies and services, as well as mission-critical automation and flow control solutions. Backed by more than 225 years of industrial experience and a global team of 18,500 professionals close to customers, we are uniquely positioned to transform industries toward a regenerative tomorrow.

In 2025, Valmet’s net sales totaled approximately EUR 5.2 billion. Our head office is in Espoo, Finland, and we have experts in approximately 40 countries around the world. Valmet’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

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