ACME - Advanced Customizations Made for Everyone
A Hands-On PowerSchool Plugin Development Workshop with Collaborative Mentoring
May 1-3, 2026
Myrtle Beach, SC
https://easyregpro.com/e/2026-acme-psug-event/home
What is ACME?
ACME brings together PowerSchool customizers for an intensive, collaborative workshop where participants work in teams to build, enhance, and debug real-world plugins for the PowerSchool community. Think of it as a coding sprint meets mentorship program - you'll leave with practical experience and contributions to actual production-ready tools.
Who Should Attend?
You're ready for ACME if you have:
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Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and SQL
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Basic experience with JavaScript/jQuery and PSHTML
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Created at least one PowerSchool customization or plugin (even a simple one!)
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Enthusiasm for collaborative problem-solving and learning from peers
Don't worry if you haven't mastered every advanced technique - our veteran mentors will help you level up your skills through hands-on project work. First-time attendees are paired with ACME veterans to ensure everyone feels supported.
Prerequisites Checklist
Self-assess your readiness:
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[ ] I can write basic SQL queries
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[ ] I've modified PowerSchool pages with HTML/CSS
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[ ] I understand the basics of JavaScript/jQuery
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[ ] I've created or modified at least one PowerSchool customization
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[ ] I'm comfortable learning by doing rather than through formal instruction
What We'll Build Together
Recent projects have included:
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Test Score Display Plugin - Enhanced test results visualization across admin, teacher, and parent portals
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ACME Tools - Administrative utilities for security analysis, permissions management, and system configuration
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Extracurricular Activities Tracker - Comprehensive student activity participation management
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Maintaining Excellence - Bug fixes and enhancements to existing ACME-developed plugins
We typically launch new projects each year while continuing to refine and improve our existing toolkit. Projects are chosen collaboratively based on attendee surveys and pre-event planning meetings.
How It Works
Pre-Event (Virtual)
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Survey to gather project ideas and skill levels
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1-2 planning meetings to form teams and select projects
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Access to prep resources and recommended tutorials
During the Event
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Small teams (4-8 people) work intensively on assigned projects
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Daily full-group check-ins for progress updates and networking
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Targeted mini-lessons on specific skills as needed (e.g., JavaScript, AngularJS, Advanced SQL)
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Dedicated office hours with expert mentors for individual questions
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Goal: Ship working code by event conclusion!
Typical Daily Schedule
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7:00 AM - Breakfast
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8:00 AM - Morning standup & team sync
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8:30 AM - Project work time
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10:30 AM - Optional mini-lesson (based on team needs)
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12:00 PM - Working lunch (continue collaborating)
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1:00 PM - Project work time
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3:00 PM - Mentor office hours
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5:00 PM - Daily wrap-up & progress share
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Evening - Optional continued work, mentor time, & networking
Format Note: This is NOT a traditional training conference with scheduled sessions and PowerPoints. It's a working session where you'll be coding, debugging, and problem-solving alongside your team for most of the event.
All Skill Levels Can Contribute
While ACME focuses on hands-on coding, we welcome attendees at varying skill levels who want to learn through observation and collaboration. You don't need to be writing code every minute to be valuable - contributing to design discussions, testing, documentation, UI/UX decisions, and asking thoughtful questions all make projects better. Some of our best insights come from fresh perspectives! If you're eager to learn and willing to engage with the team, you'll find ways to contribute regardless of your current coding proficiency.
What You'll Take Away
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Production-ready code samples for your own district
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New techniques you can immediately apply to your customizations
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Direct contacts with go-to experts for future questions
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Contributor credit on published community plugins
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Deep understanding of PowerSchool's architecture and best practices
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Hands-on experience with advanced debugging and development tools
Why Attend?
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Accelerate Your Skills - Learn advanced techniques by doing, with immediate feedback from experts
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Build Your Portfolio - Contribute to real plugins used by districts nationwide
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Expand Your Network - Connect with the most skilled PowerSchool customizers in the community
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Give Back - Everything created becomes free, open-source tools for all PowerSchool users
Success Stories
Previous ACME projects now serve thousands of districts worldwide. These collaborative efforts have saved countless hours of administrative time and improved data accessibility for students, parents, and staff. Every plugin developed at ACME continues to evolve through community contributions, creating lasting value for the entire PowerSchool ecosystem.
Important Notes
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All plugins created at ACME are public domain and FREE to the community
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These creations may NOT be sold by anyone
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In-person attendance required for the collaborative experience
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Consider attending the main PSUG conference immediately following ACME for additional learning opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I get stuck during the event? A: That's expected! You'll have your team, veteran mentors, and dedicated office hours for help.
Q: What should I bring/install beforehand? A: A laptop with your preferred code editor. Specific requirements sent after registration.
Q: Can I switch teams if needed? A: We'll work with you to find the best fit, especially on the first day.
Q: What if my skill level doesn't match my team? A: Teams are balanced with various skill levels intentionally - everyone teaches and learns.
Not Sure You're Ready?
If you're comfortable with basic customizations but want to level up, ACME is perfect for you! Our mentorship model means you'll have support when you need it. For absolute beginners, we recommend attending customization sessions at other PSUG events first to build foundational skills.
Questions about whether ACME is right for you? Contact [Joe Miller] and he can refer you to someone that actually knows how to do customizations for more info! lolPAYMENT MUST ME MADE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION!!!
Registration Info:
Registration includes: ($599 for ACME Only or a $199 add on if you are attending the National PSUG Myrtle Beach too!
PLEASE NOTE: If attending BOTH the National PSUG Event AND ACME, please register for the National PSUG Event separately and then choose the "PSUG Event- ACME Add On as your registration type when you register for the ACME event!
- 3 days of advanced customization group work
- *Breakfast & lunch each day. (How and where we eat may be determined by you as a group at or prior to the event) The conference center doesn't normally take care of smaller groups like this so we get creative and have fun meals together!
- On your own working dinners (you purchase your own dinners and then go back to the group)
- Abundant networking opportunities with PS users from all over!
- We are working on a special Networking Dinner/Event for Sunday night before to kickoff the event. *Extra fee may apply for this networking opportunity.
Please note:
- Details of conference are subject to change up until the time we get there. We will do what we can to bring you the best possible PSUG event and to provide you with as many fun networking opportunities as we can!
- No Refunds. Substitutions will be allowed!
- Please be sure to include a cell phone number, if possible, on your registration in case we need to contact you
- PSUG Planners may substitute, modify, add or drop sessions at any time up until the time we all get to the event.
- http://easyregpro.com/psugevents will have the most up to date conference information so check there often for conference updates.
- Please get payment in to us in a timely manner
SPONSORED BY: