Northwest Local School District

Letter to Northwest Families:

Dear Parents,

As you may have heard or read, adolescents nationwide are in a mental health crisis.  Major depressive episodes among American teens have more than doubled since 2010.  In fact, in 2018, Stark County was witness to the largest teenage suicide contagion in this country's history.  And since 2018, the mental health crisis amongst this nation's teens has only become more widespread.  Educational performance among teens across over 30 nations has also been in decline over the last decade.  

New research suggests that the only available explanation for why this is happening in many countries at the same time is that the "play-based childhood" was replaced by the "phone-based childhood" in the early 2010s.  

Specifically, children and adolescents began to spend much more time on smartphones, social media, video games, and pornography and much less time doing healthy activities such as face-to-face interactions with friends and family, sleep, exercise, and reading books. We want to introduce you to B.R.I.K. (Building Resiliency In Kids): a Northwest community action plan that hopes to address and offer parents the guidance and help many have been yearning for since the introduction of smartphones in 2010.  

In the coming weeks, we will be hosting discussions, presenting speakers, communicating through social media, and providing many videos to assist and aid us in this enormous endeavor. It will take collective action from Northwest parents and the community to head off the disaster in teen mental health and help support our children as they move through an incredibly sensitive and important phase in their development. Together, we have the opportunity and capability to help our young people.  

Our mission is ambitious and towering, but Northwest has the families, schools, community and values to accomplish such a hefty goal.  

The first two BRIK presentations for parents and the community in Puffenberger Hall are: February 25 - 6:00PM Parents of the Primary and Stinson students & community members February 26 - 6:00PM Parents of NW middle school and high school students & community members

“We’re not building straw houses. We’re building BRIK homes.”

Northwest Local Schools 

Check out the most recent podcast here: 

Do you have a few minutes while you're making dinner? Driving home or to a practice? Kids headed to bed? We have just the thing! Take a moment and listen to the latest BRIK podcast! Click here to listen to the latest BRIK podcast!

Free the Anxious Generation Movement: A Call for K-12 School Leaders 
Addressing the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis

Adolescents are facing a growing mental health crisis, with major depressive episodes among American teens more than doubling since 2010. This dramatic increase coincides with the shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood, as social interactions moved onto smartphones and social media platforms. This shift has disrupted children's social and neurological development, contributing to issues such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism.

Schools and education leaders have the opportunity to set new norms that prioritize free play, independence, and healthier social interactions. In this edWebinar, social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt presents research on the urgent youth mental health crisis, introduces four key norms for collective action, and outlines steps schools can take to improve student well-being.

Educators, school leaders, and mental health professionals are encouraged to reflect on how schools can address the challenges posed by social media, smartphone use, and adolescent mental health.

This recorded edWebinar is designed for K-12 teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, education technology professionals, school counselors, and psychologists.

✨ Want to give your child an edge in life? Start by helping them disconnect from their phone! In a world full of distractions, kids who learn to balance screen time with real-life experiences are setting themselves up for success.

When they’re not glued to their devices, they have more time to explore their creativity, develop meaningful relationships, and engage in activities that help build confidence and resilience.

Encouraging your child to be present in the moment boosts their emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills, setting them apart in school and beyond.
VIEW THIS VIDEO TO SEE HOW!

In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt lays out four reforms or “new norms” that would provide a foundation for a healthier kind of childhood in the digital age. Each norm helps parents and teens escape the social trap they find themselves in. No teen wants to be the only one who does not have a smartphone and social media, and no parent wants to socially isolate their child. These four norms help families escape the trap and reverse the two big (well-intentioned) mistakes we’ve made: overprotecting children in the real world and under-protecting them online.
Click here to learn all about the Anxious Generation!

Click here to learn more about Wait Until 8th!

"My kid just got a phone, HELP!"

Looking for ways to help your child manage their phone safely? 
Click here to view Apple’s parental control tips & tricks!