May 22, 2024 Newsletter
In This Edition:
1.InauguralAPE Exchangea Success
2.Arlington Libraries Ask for Feedback
3.APS Needs to Take Action on Cell Phones in School
4.APS Policies Open for Public Comment
5.May 16th School Board Meeting Recap
6.Happening Soon
Inaugural APE Exchange:
A Thoughtful Discussion on Devices and Education
Our first APE Exchange – this one on Devices and EdTech – was a success! We hosted a group of parents and other community members (researchers, a former SB candidate, a teacher, etc.) and had a wide-ranging discussion about personal devices in school, school-issued devices and their pros/cons, and how both of these types of screens have impacted the school experience. Conversation included concerns that screen-based instruction could be displacing direct instruction from teachers and writing opportunities, and reducing time kids spend developing social and communication skills, that we may be replacing effective pedagogy with screen-based tools that have less efficacy. Participants also discussed the the disruptive nature of devices and their impact on attention spans and skill retention.
Parents at the meeting shared a desire for their children to be using more hands-on methods at school, including more paper-pencil workbooks, cursive writing training, and math manipulatives, because these methods are known to increase retention of abstract concepts. Research showsthat materials which engage multiple senses at once, called "multisensory," are most effectively coded into one's memory. Finally, participants said they were concerned that social opportunities both inside and outside of class have been hindered by both personal technology and EdTech applications, which are isolating; parents would like their children to participate in collaborative in-person discussions and group projects so they can learn conflict resolution and communications skills.
We agreed that the issue of screens is unique in its cross-sectional nature, interacting with many different aspects of education, school policy, and personal preferences, which makes it hard to address directly. Participants agreed that the issue presents a collective action problem for those interested in limiting screen time for their children; children and families seeking more in-person interaction can have hard time finding a community of like-minded people who are also limiting screen time. Finally, participants shared a variety of resources and advocacy groups focused on the issue of screens:
Screen Schooled, a book written by two former FCPS teachers about how the overuse of technology in schools is hurting education.
The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt, about how the play-based childhood has been replaced with a phone-based childhood and the negative impacts of this change on kids.
Sapien Labs, which has a Schools for Strong Minds program to enable school leaders to make policies and decisions to help the educational environment, including pilot programs to help schools measure policy impacts.
Screen Time Action Network which is an advocacy network supporting play-based childhood and reduced exposure to screens in childhood.
Osprey Kids, a network of families focused on limiting social media in favor of traditional human communication and activities for children.
Let Grow, an advocacy group which emphasizes the important of independence in childhood.
Are You a Teacher? We’ve spoken with several teachers about their frustrations with personal devices in the classroom. We’d like to speak with more teachers who can provide insights into how screens have impacted the classroom. Please email us if you're interested in sharing your experience. Also, thanks to this fruitful discussion, the APE book club will be reading Screen Schooled, please consider joining us!
What's Next? We’ll continue to advocate for a better instructional environment, and for school technology to follow the principle "right tool at the right time," as well as considering what is appropriate at "the right age."
Please email us if you are interested in getting involved; it will take a lot of voices to bring forward a conversation on how to approach this challenging and pervasive issue.
Additionally, the APS Ed Tech Committee is now accepting applications for the coming year. Learn more.
Make Your Voice Heard: The Future of Arlington's Libraries
Arlington Public Library is surveying the community through May 31st on twelve ideas for the future of Arlington’s libraries. Given the strong ties between libraries, reading, and education, we encourage readers to complete the survey and provide feedback to the Library system. One idea we are offering in the comment section is for the Libraries to host a tutoring or reading program in partnership with APS to help the significant numbers of struggling readers in the County, or to expand on its summer Reading Buddy initiative. Applications for 1st-3rd graders interested in participating in the Reading Buddy program are due May 31st and can be found here.
Read more about our advocacy with Arlington's libraries.
APS Needs to Take Action on Cell Phones in School
The Issue: APS does not have a district-wide policy prohibiting the usage of personal smart devices like cell phones and smart watches in schools.
Background: A system-wide Away for the Day policy, requiring that cell phones be off and away during the school day, has been recommended by the School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) since 2019; per SHAB, Away for the Day has been a unanimous recommendation by the committee three different times. Unfortunately, APS has not acted on this recommendation, although it did launch a pilot program at Wakefield this past fall, requiring all students' cell phones be away during instructional time only (data from that pilot is not yet public). Several middle schools have also established their own "Away for the Day" policies since approximately 2017, but adherence to and enforcement of these policies differs significantly from school to school, reportedly because principals cannot refer to district-level policy in their enforcement measures. Without a formal division-wide APS policy establishing clear boundaries for personal device usage, teachers and principals have little recourse. Away for the day is in place across Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), but due to a lack of student adherence to the policy its School Board recently directed FCPS to enact a stricter Away for the Day policy.
Why It Matters: Mounting evidence shows that cell phones and access to social media during the school day can cause harm to children: soaring mental health issues, increased likelihood of online bullying, reduced socialization skill-building, reduced comprehension and distraction during class time, and more.
A 2023 survey of Middle School principals performed by SHAB supports the benefit to the students and staff of having an “Away for the Day” cell phone policy. The five schools unanimously responded that the policy has had a positive impact on students. In cities where Away for the Day is in place and enforced, it has been met with great success:
In Pittsburgh, the superintendent said post-ban that “the majority of our teachers would say that it is much better. There are fewer distractions.”
In Philadelphia, 27 public schools ban cell phone usage, with Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Brown saying “It’s completely changed the tone of the hallways.” He also added that there is more student engagement, fewer fights, calmer hallways, even a decrease in parents coming to school and threatening teachers.
VA Beach schools also banned cell phones with the Chief Schools Officer saying the district has “seen some great strides” in reduced disciplinary incidents.
In Colorado, where a district banned phones, the superintendent said he sees more interaction between teachers and students, more focus, and less conflict in hallways. And very few students are second-time offenders. “The majority of our students, when we surveyed them, were thankful for it because it has reduced the stress in their life.”
Your Turn: Please email the School Board and urge them to implement Away for the Day as a formal policy across APS.
May 16th School Board Meeting Recap
Highlights from the meeting include:
APS FY 2025 Budget
Following Arlington County’s and Virginia’s recently approved budgets, APS can now finalize its FY2025 budget which is scheduled to be adopted by the School Board on June 6, 2004. APS will receive $1.8 million less in state revenue than assumed in the proposed APS FY2025 budget. However, this will not result in reductions to school operating budgets and APS will still retain the 3.3% average compensation increase for staff. Instead, other cost savings will be identified to balance the budget.
Summer School 2024
To date, 2,794 students have enrolled in Summer School and the program is 77% staffed. This is about 600 students less than last year; however, APS is expecting more secondary students to be enrolled and expects some additional changes for elementary and middle school student numbers as well.
Proposed New Projects for 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Major proposed new major infrastructure projects include those identified from the Long-Range Plan to Renovate Existing Facilities: Hoffman-Boston HVAC replacement and possible add-ons, Dorothy Hamm Roof and HVAC joint replacement, Oakridge HVAC replacement, Williamsburg roof replacement and possible add-ons, and Jamestown HVAC and roof replacement and possible add-ons.
Proposed Feasibility Studies Sites: Jefferson MS, Taylor ES, Barrett ES, Swanson MS, Randolph ES
There are three costs options for MPSA Relocation to Legacy Career Center Building (assumed specification for 775 seats)
Low-Cost Option ($27mn) Proposes a “minimal” level of renovation. No full-sized gymnasium
Medium-Cost Option ($35mn) Proposes a “medium” level of renovation. Will include full-sized gymnasium. Utilizes some existing ACC classrooms.
Higher-Cost Option ($39mn) Proposes a “maximum” level of renovation. Builds on medium cost option plus more reconfiguration of classrooms.
Read the full recap here.
Happening Soon
Tuesday, May 28, time TBD, Rescheduled Office Hours with a School Board Member. Virtual.Sign up.
Wednesday, May 29, 8am, Policy Subcommittee Meeting. Syphax, Suite 260.
Thursday, May 30, School Board Work Sessions. Syphax. Watch live.
9:00-10:30 AM: Work Session on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) #1
10:45 AM-12:15 PM: Work Session on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) #2
1:00-2:30 PM: Work Session on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) #3
2:45-4:15 PM: Work Session on Strategic Plan
Friday, May 31, 8am, Audit Committee Meeting. Syphax, Suite 260.
Saturday, June 1, 12-2:30pm, Arlington Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Annual Family Picnic, Walter Reed Community Center. RSVP here.
Thursday, June 6, 7pm, School Board Meeting. Sign up to speak. Syphax. Watch live.
Don't forget! You can subscribe to APS School Calendars here.
