Find Tech-Free resources as district prepares to observe Tech-Free Friday on Oct. 25
District hopes Tech-Free Friday will start conversations about screen time
Kenilworth Public Schools will drop screens for a day to offer a window into the power of real-life connections – and the drawbacks of too much technology.
On Oct. 25, the district will observe Tech-Free Friday. Teachers will not use computers or other technology during instruction.
Instead, classes will include activities such as gallery creations and walks, role-playing and debates, silent writing conversations, collaborative learning stations and more.
The district is encouraging parents to join the tech-free effort at home, and is sharing resources and ideas for old-school fun on the Parent Resources section of its website.
Superintendent Jeremy Davies talked about the reasons behind Tech-Free Friday in a recent video update. Students in DBHS’ Peer Advisory class led the way with a tech-free trial run earlier this month, and shared their insightful observations.
Tech-Free Friday is just one day, but we think it will be just the start of considering how to find balance between screen time and personal interaction. Thanks for joining us in this important initiative!
Rationale and supporting resources from Mr. Davies
At our school year launch meeting on September 3, one of the points I shared about my belief system is that our students need more time with books and with note-taking; that we've allowed the pendulum to swing to too much screen time in schools at a time when young people have too much screen time in general.
Society needs to find the right balance for the health and well-being of our youngsters. Schools play a role in this.
My perspective is informed by observation and experience working with young people for 23 years and seeing a decline in focus and attention as well as a dramatic mental health crisis (and many other unfortunate symptoms of screen-based childhoods). There is a growing body of research, government positions, and professional literature:
- In July of 2024, school districts and even some states began announcing smartphone bans in schools across the country.