Haley Pilot School SPC Meeting Notes
March 16, 2023
Welcome and reminders:
The School Parent Council needs new leaders for open positions next year. Current terms are ending, and we are happy to support and mentor newcomers. Please contact haleyparentcouncil@gmail.com with your interest in taking on a leadership role including co-chair, secretary, and treasurer.
Starting soon! March 20 through April 7, the Haley will be hosting the annual Chocolate Sale, selling Signature chocolate.
Welcome Alex Freeman, Haley School Psychologist, and his four interns - Caitlin Corbett (Northeastern), Paige Mulry (UMASS Boston) Ryan Sunda (UMASS Boston), and Jordan Owens (Tufts), to talk about technology use and fostering confidence in girls.
Healthy Technology Habits at Home
Data has been analyzed over time at the Haley (based on teacher surveys) that show an increasing difficulty in focusing and executive functioning among the Haley student population.
Time spent on screens is time NOT spent doing other things.
Some negative impacts of screen time were reviewed - neurological difficulties, decrease in spending time with peers, fewer teens getting their driver’s license, more feelings of loneliness, less dating, less time outside, sleep difficulty, less time with family, less exercise, less social interaction, increased anxiety and stress, avoidance of responsibilities, ignoring others, creating conflict in relationships, and difficulty shifting away from technology.
Some tips were offered - create positive activities outside of screen time, keep technology from family dinner, keep devices away at bedtime, teach kids about technology from a young age, adults serve as good role models for kids, model kindness and good manners on-line, do not have screen running all the time in the background at home, discuss digital decision making, don’t use technology as an emotional pacifier.
Strategies were shared to help with transitioning kids off screens
Signs of screen overload were reviewed
Please see the included slides for more information.
Promoting Self-Confidence in Girls
Tips were offered - let girls play as they choose, teach and help girls express gratitude, practice self-affirmation, give positive feedback, encourage girls to speak up, ask about and have girls express opinions, teach girls to think positively about themselves, incorporate positive self talk, teach and model body acceptance, demonstrate the difference between confidence and arrogance, help girls get out of comfort zone and take risks, have girls keep a list of risks they have taken.
Alex Freeman is happy to problem solve or consult with any parent and can be reached at afreeman5@bostonpublicschools.org
Next SPC meeting is Tuesday, April 11th at 6pm via Zoom: Topic tbd. If you have thoughts on a topic, please let the Parent Council know: haleyparentcouncil@gmail.com
If you would like to be in touch with Parent Council, please email haleyparentcouncil@gmail.com anytime.