Screens in APS

[Anonymous]

Recently came across this article
https://www.arlnow.com/2026/05/27/arlington-parents-join-national-pushback-against-school-issued-devices/

Reading ability is decreasing, and it sounds like the other subjects are not far behind.

https://wjla.com/news/local/arlington-literacy-public-schools-launches-new-pilot-program-parent-push-reading-skills-northern-virginia-school-education-challenge-improve-scores-data-mentorship-hoffman-boston-long-branch-elementary-language-students

Does anyone know how we can join this conversation or start one productively?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

[Anonymous]

FCPS is now allowing technology opt outs for elementary school students. According to today’s news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

I would love this. Can they bring the work sheets home? This teaches them to focus and work independently, the exact opposite of the screen experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

Also i totally agree with your second paragraph! But while we work on that, your first paragraph is better than just having everyone on screens.

How do we organize?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

Also i totally agree with your second paragraph! But while we work on that, your first paragraph is better than just having everyone on screens.

How do we organize?

Schedule time to speak with the School Board members during their office hours -- very easy to schedule online.
https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/about-the-school-board/open-office-hours/

Sign up to speak at the School Board Meetings (you get 3 minutes I think & if a series of people speak on the same issue consistently it will draw notice).

Schedule time to speak with APS curriculum staff: https://www.apsva.us/departments/academics/

Organize via the PTA at your local school.

Sign up to be on a school board advisory committee. https://www.apsva.us/advisory-councils/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is now allowing technology opt outs for elementary school students. According to today’s news.

If true, long overdue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

I would love this. Can they bring the work sheets home? This teaches them to focus and work independently, the exact opposite of the screen experience.

+10

[Anonymous]

DMV unplugged has the APS local group . https://www.dmvunplugged.org/

FCPS isn’t offering opt out as of yet, APS is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when APS leadership, and therefore school administrators, are obsessed with SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

I fixed it for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone requested low screen use directly with the teachers? See here:
https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024-2025sy/may-20-2025-newsletter

Your child will be handed a stack of worksheets that are never graded and stuck in a corner away from the other students.

We need a comprehensive approach not whack a mole, esp when teachers are only incentive raising SOLs scores and achievement gaps; everyone else who is passing is left to fend for themselves much of the day.

Also i totally agree with your second paragraph! But while we work on that, your first paragraph is better than just having everyone on screens.

How do we organize?

Schedule time to speak with the School Board members during their office hours -- very easy to schedule online.
https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/about-the-school-board/open-office-hours/

Sign up to speak at the School Board Meetings (you get 3 minutes I think & if a series of people speak on the same issue consistently it will draw notice).

Schedule time to speak with APS curriculum staff: https://www.apsva.us/departments/academics/

Organize via the PTA at your local school.

Sign up to be on a school board advisory committee. https://www.apsva.us/advisory-councils/

Thank you, very helpful!

[Anonymous]

https://www.apsva.us/engage/engage-past-initiatives/aps-device-work-group/

I found some information on the APS Device Work Group but not the actual report they delivered in March 2026. Does anyone have a link to that report?

[Anonymous]

FCPS opt out is only for opting out of bring devices home at evening. Nothing about opting out during the actual school day. FCPS sucks on screens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS opt out is only for opting out of bring devices home at evening. Nothing about opting out during the actual school day. FCPS sucks on screens.

Thanks. I thought it was a complete technology opt out. i.e. only textbooks and worksheets.