Fostering Healthy Digital Habits: Graland’s Commitment to Wellness
This summer, a dedicated group of educators—Kathy Riley, Tara Lavizzo, Betsy Metcalfe, Ashleigh Stepanian, Elizabeth Leddy, Meggan Dodge, Heather McCormick, and Jess Levy—embarked on a summer grant project focused on enhancing student digital wellness. Concerned about technology’s impact on youth mental health, the team explored thought-provoking resources, including “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World” by Devorah Heitner, PhD, and Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation.”
Through extensive research and discussions, they identified the urgent need to equip students and families with effective strategies for navigating technology. Their findings emphasize the importance of maintaining an intentional device policy during the school day, as well as continuing to offer digital literacy lessons, facilitating meaningful conversations, and providing training sessions to cultivate healthy student practices in an increasingly digital world.
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Training Sessions
All fifth and sixth grade students and their parents were required to attend new mandatory iPad information nights that provided education on best practices and encouraged digital wellness.
Digital Literacy Lessons
Beginning in Lower School library classes and continuing through Middle School wellness and advisory, students participate in conversations and lessons on digital citizenship that build essential digital literacy skills. For instance, Lower School library students learn to verify online information and use trusted sources. In Grade 5 wellness, they engage with a digital wellness lesson from The Social Institute, a gamified platform that helps them navigate social media and technology positively.
Intentional Device Policy
Recognizing the importance of social connections, autonomy, and physical activity in a child’s development, Graland implements an intentional device policy during the school day. By eliminating the use of smartphones and smartwatches on campus and limiting iPad use during class time only, we encourage students to engage with their peers and create a distraction-free learning environment. This approach not only enhances focus on academic and social growth but also cultivates important life skills, allowing students to make the most of their time at Graland.
Meaningful Conversations
The new affinity group, Live IRL (In Real Life), offers a space for parents to connect and discuss guiding children toward healthy social media and smartphone use. Starting in November, the group will share insights on digital wellness and children’s mental health, equipping parents with tools for readiness and management. Additionally, Devorah Heitner, PhD, author of “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World” and “Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World,” will visit Graland in February to share strategies for helping children navigate their digital landscape.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
