Mrs. Ridder Message

Dear Middle School Families,

As we remove phones from the school day and work to reduce unnecessary screen time, what do we hope our students will gain in return?

More conversation. More focus. More independence. More face-to-face connection. More time to think, create, solve problems, and even experience a little boredom.

That is really the purpose behind our Middle School no-phone policy. We are not anti-technology. We are a STEM school, and our students absolutely need to understand how to use technology, social media, and AI responsibly. But using technology well also means knowing when to put it down.

Research continues to reinforce the importance of that balance. The American Psychological Association notes that early adolescence is an important developmental period because students are becoming more sensitive to peer feedback while their ability to self-regulate is still developing. The recommendation is not simply to eliminate technology, but for adults to provide boundaries, monitoring, conversation, and coaching.

Technology also becomes a concern when it begins replacing sleep, exercise, hobbies, studying, or face-to-face relationships.That is where I think schools and families can work together.

Our goal is not simply to make students comply with a no-phone rule. Ultimately, we want them to develop the ability to regulate their own technology use.

• Can they sit through dinner without checking their phone?

• Can they do homework without constantly checking for texts?

• Can they spend time with friends without everyone looking at their phones?

• Can they recognize when being online is no longer making them feel good?

• Most importantly, can they put technology down even when an adult is not making them?
  
  

As luck would have it, I happen to have two upcoming opportunities to help families with exactly this.

1. Our partner #WinAtSocial/The Social Institute is hosting:

Back to School, Better Standards: Practical Ways to Help Your Child Balance Technology to Support Their Learning and Well-Being

September 29
6:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. MT
Zoom
Free for families and educators at partner schools

Families will learn practical strategies for creating healthier technology habits and having better conversations about social media, AI, and digital life.

Register for the #WinAtSocial Family Presentation

2. There is also a local parent workshop: Parent Forum: From Managing to Empowering

Tuesday, October 20
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Rocky Heights Middle School

Certified Family Coach Livi Maldonado will share practical strategies around technology boundaries, organization, and helping students become more independent.

That phrase - from managing to empowering - really captures the work of middle school. We set boundaries now so that eventually they can set their own.

If you have come across resources that you think other parents might appreciate, please feel free to pass them along to me!

Have a great weekend,

Maura Ridder
Middle School Principal
STEM School Highlands Ranch