Screenagers
This week in 7th and 8th Grade Access classes, your student will be watching “Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age.” Screenagers is an excellent and well-researched documentary exploring the impact of phones and technology on family life and student mental health. It is entertaining as well as informative, and will provide students with the background they need to begin to articulate how technology impacts their own lives. It will also give them a good understanding on why we have a “no phone” policy and how it benefits them as students.
As many of you know by now, especially those who came to our viewing of Screenagers back in November, researching the impact of technology on our youth is a passion of mine. It’s essential for all of us to know the impact that mobile phones, screen time, and social media have on our kids so that we can moderate the significantly negative effects of them, while harnessing the positive aspects in intentional ways. As Jonathon Haidt, author of The Coddling of the American Mind and Anxious Generation says, childhood has been “rewired” by technology, and the effects have been disastrous. Whether you agree with Haidt’s extreme assessment or not, the fact remains that all of us in our educational community need to know the facts about technology for the benefit of our kids and families. Our hope is that you will discuss Screenagers with your students as a catalyst to help your kids develop a healthy relationship with their technology throughout school and their lives.
I have an extensive list of resources regarding this topic that I would be happy to share with you. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime if you’d like to talk more about this vital issue.
CMAS
CMAS testing is coming up, and I’m challenging our kids to make history as the highest achieving class in PRA history. CMAS testing is beneficial in so many ways, and we’re encouraging our kids to approach the test with a growth mindset for maximum benefit. I’ve written and spoken a number of times about the benefits of testing. You can watch our testing culture video or contact me for more detail if you have any questions.
CMAS Testing is as follows:
Friday, April 12, 8th Grade Science
Monday, April 15, 6th - 8th Language Arts
Tuesday, April 16, 6th - 8th Math
Please encourage your students to take the test and to participate with their full effort, as it is a big part of our academic mission here at Prospect Ridge Academy.
Thank you for supporting your student’s success at PRA.
Steve Thygesen, Principal