Student Screen Time and Technology Use Framework
As educators, we recognize that our relationship with technology in schools is complex. Instructional technology has enriched important aspects of teaching and learning while also introducing new challenges. We want our students and staff to use digital tools intentionally and responsibly to support learning, well-being, and connection. Our goal is to prepare students to navigate and shape the digital world with confidence and care.
Technology Expectations & Guidelines
In our classrooms, technology serves the following purposes:
- Supporting meaningful learning experiences aligned with New York State standards and instructional goals.
- Facilitating active learning and student engagement, consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Promoting student well-being by encouraging productive and intentional technology use while minimizing activities that detract from learning, reflection, and overall wellness.
Elementary Student Screen Time
While the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and the U.S. Department of Education has not established specific research-based individual device screen time recommendations for students in grades K–4, we have developed our own following conversations with our teachers.
| Grade | Minimum Usage | Maximum Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Kindergarten | 1x per week | 15-minutes per day / 30 minutes per 5-day week *NYSED Pre-K Learning Standards |
| Kindergarten | 1x per week | 15-minutes per day |
| 1st Grade | 1-2x per week | 20-minutes per day |
| 2nd-4th Grade | 2-4x per week | 30-minutes per day |
Our expectation is that all technology will be used to support active learning experiences aligned to our curriculum and the NYS Learning Standards.
These guidelines will be updated as new information emerges. It is important to note that students may use devices more often for special projects or assessments. Devices may also be used in special area classes as aligned to the curriculum.
Elementary & Middle School Device Practices
We take a proactive approach to monitoring and safeguarding student technology used to support learning, online safety, and healthy technology habits. Our District practices also include:
- No devices are used during K–7 lunch or recess.
- 8th graders may only use devices during lunch or recess for instructional purposes (e.g. homework completion, studying).
- Faculty will not use screen time as a reward or incentive for behavior.
- Personal devices/cell phones are not used, bell to bell.
- Devices in grades K–3 remain at school unless we anticipate the need for remote instruction; grade 4 devices go home only in limited circumstances with principal approval.
- Pre-kindergarten students are not assigned individual devices.
District Digital Safety Measures
- K–8 students may only use district-issued devices.
- K–8 teachers can monitor, restrict, and guide device and app use during instruction.
- We only use Ed-Law 2D compliant, district-approved apps and instructional software on our devices and in our classrooms.
- K–5 students receive targeted digital citizenship instruction through library classes and MS101.
- The District uses multiple layers of digital safety and cybersecurity protections to help create a secure learning environment for students and staff:
- Internet safety and content filtering, including blocking non-instructional content
- Student safety monitoring systems that generate alerts
- Monitoring District email and communication platforms
- Network and cybersecurity protections, including enterprise-grade firewalls
- Account and data protection to prevent breaches
- Cybersecurity training for all staff members
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compliant cybersecurity and data privacy policies
Next Steps
We are actively working to refine these practices through:
- Screen Time Audit: We are closely examining exactly how much time students—especially those in elementary school—spend on devices.
- App & Software Evaluation: We’re reviewing all previously approved software.
- Parent Partnership: We will gather feedback from parents and provide additional resources to help families navigate screen time and technology use at home.
- Student Feedback: We will survey our K-8 students about their technology use in school and at home to help inform our ongoing work.
- Strategic Planning Committee Work: Our K–12 teachers and administrators will focus on our instructional technology approach as part of the strategic planning work next school year.
- Middle School Device Home Use: We are discussing potential guidelines and procedures with our faculty regarding at-home iPad use for homework in grades 5 and 6.