Opting Out of Screens

[Anonymous]

You can’t do this. Even if you can technically opt out, it isn’t going to be what you think. The teacher isn’t prepared to teach without screens and all the “materials” are on the apps. Your child still isn’t going to get any direct instruction or purposeful assignments if you opt out. They will likely get some canned premade worksheet, maybe. Or they will watch their neighbor’s screen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t do this. Even if you can technically opt out, it isn’t going to be what you think. The teacher isn’t prepared to teach without screens and all the “materials” are on the apps. Your child still isn’t going to get any direct instruction or purposeful assignments if you opt out. They will likely get some canned premade worksheet, maybe. Or they will watch their neighbor’s screen

As a teacher, I agree this is the sad reality.

[Anonymous]

Are Catholic schools generally better about this or only some? Any good examples in NOVA?

[Anonymous]

Not in nova but we have a smart board although no school iPads. They do watch an occasional tv show at the end of school. It’s not ideal. There is not opt out. Homework and tests are paper and workbooks have been sent home showing lots of on paper math work and writing. I’m ok with this but would not be ok with my kid having iPad at school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our highly regarded elementary school handed kindergarteners iPads on day 1. We could not opt out, despite my objections. They are on those devices far too much for my liking.

For second grade, we switched to a private that does not do screens until 3rd grade. Now in 3rd grade, and screen use is still kept to a minimum. it is used for technology class once a week, for typing, and other occasional uses. They do nearly all their work on paper, and daily independent reading time must be done with an actual printed book.

What do the kids with dysgraphia do? Do they dictate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a quality education, unfortunately you have to pay for private.

While that may be true, the vast majority of kids do not attend privates, and studies have shown screen time more adversely affects lower-income students, so this should be something that is universal.

Can you please share which studies show this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t do this. Even if you can technically opt out, it isn’t going to be what you think. The teacher isn’t prepared to teach without screens and all the “materials” are on the apps. Your child still isn’t going to get any direct instruction or purposeful assignments if you opt out. They will likely get some canned premade worksheet, maybe. Or they will watch their neighbor’s screen

I am sure the above is true at some schools. It is not true for all schools.

Some schools really will provide appropriate non-screen educational material when a parent opts out a student. We have not opted out of all screens at our school, but I support the ability of parents to make that choice for their kids. Some public schools in some jurisdictions have found out that there are circumstances where such a parental request cannot be refused (at least for students in lower elementary grades, or perhaps also with an IEP, or perhaps also for 504).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can’t do this. Even if you can technically opt out, it isn’t going to be what you think. The teacher isn’t prepared to teach without screens and all the “materials” are on the apps. Your child still isn’t going to get any direct instruction or purposeful assignments if you opt out. They will likely get some canned premade worksheet, maybe. Or they will watch their neighbor’s screen

I am sure the above is true at some schools. It is not true for all schools.

Some schools really will provide appropriate non-screen educational material when a parent opts out a student. We have not opted out of all screens at our school, but I support the ability of parents to make that choice for their kids. Some public schools in some jurisdictions have found out that there are circumstances where such a parental request cannot be refused (at least for students in lower elementary grades, or perhaps also with an IEP, or perhaps also for 504).

Correct, but the point is, the child that opts out isn’t going to get a 1995 classroom experience. Teachers don’t have time to make separate purposeful and intentional materials for teaching, practicing, testing, etc. for one child, for all of their class work. They will google and print some worksheets and call it a day, check the IEP box. The kid is still going to be watching the smartboard and slides like everyone else, movies, distracted with what kid next to them is doing on their computer and will likely get the bare minimum of paper materials. Plus there are no textbooks available to use or take home, for anyone.

[Anonymous]

This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

Are they open to kids of various faiths? Or do you have to be Catholic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

Eh, when we were looking, most have screens. Perhaps not as heavy as public school. But they are there too, in elementary, and being used more and more. It’s a rarity for any private school to not heavily use them. You really have to be looking at Monessori, Waldorf, and “classical education” schools- which are not prevalent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

They are also very behind in a academics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

Eh, when we were looking, most have screens. Perhaps not as heavy as public school. But they are there too, in elementary, and being used more and more. It’s a rarity for any private school to not heavily use them. You really have to be looking at Monessori, Waldorf, and “classical education” schools- which are not prevalent

Agree. They also don’t take kids with any disabilities either. And the classical schools are also full of odd families. Sorry, it’s true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

Are they open to kids of various faiths? Or do you have to be Catholic?

Catholic schools are happy to have non-Catholic families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is where the Catholic schools shine. Many don’t have any screens whatsoever.

Eh, when we were looking, most have screens. Perhaps not as heavy as public school. But they are there too, in elementary, and being used more and more. It’s a rarity for any private school to not heavily use them. You really have to be looking at Monessori, Waldorf, and “classical education” schools- which are not prevalent

Agree. They also don’t take kids with any disabilities either. And the classical schools are also full of odd families. Sorry, it’s true.

Catholic schools educate many children with disabilities.