Hey, Parents, What's in Your Kid's Backpack this School Year?

What's in your backpack?

As summer winds down and we gear up for a new school year, allow me to share new plans, protocols and guidance that we are introducing in the Needham Public Schools this fall related to the use of technology and tech tools, including AI.

More than ever we must enlist parents and caregivers to understand the kind of classroom environment we intend to create for your children; we need parental support in these efforts if we are to guide our students responsibly. 

• Cell Phones  I have previously written about how we planned to study the use of cell phones in school, particularly at the middle and high school levels. We have made adjustments to our school policies which limit cell phone possession and use, and families can read more about our new protocols here: Guidance on Cell Phones and Social Media Use in Schools We believe these common sense guidelines will allow our students to stay focused during academic time and less distracted by social media. Over the course of the fall and into winter we expect to assess how the procedures are working and will share the data with the community and to make appropriate adjustments.

One important note: Without parent support and a willingness to stand firm (e.g., not allowing your young student to bring a phone to school), we will fail our kids.

• AI in the Needham Public Schools  The technological advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is prevalent and fast becoming a staple of our work and personal lives, and this is increasingly true in the classroom environment.

Since Generative AI “arrived” on our doorstep in 2022, the Needham Public Schools has been committed to thoughtfully investigating how these new technologies impact teaching and learning – both from the perspective of student and teacher. In “Generative AI and K-12 Education: An MIT Perspective”, Reich et al. encourages schools to “facilitate access to AI with thoughtful guardrails” and that “educators consider what productive thought students should engage in”. In Needham, we are committed to deepening our understanding of AI and at the same time, continue providing teachers and students with appropriate training, coaching and tools to engage with these new technologies in ways that are safe, relevant and innovative. Members of our Instructional Technology team have collaborated to develop and share Guidelines for Using Generative AI in classrooms across the district.

Even as we grapple with this new technology landscape in the classroom, Teachers at Needham High School, particularly those within the English Department,  have recently shared with school administration their concerns about the impact of AI on student-teacher relationships and student learning. A recent article in The Atlantic highlights the negative impact of AI in the college classroom especially as it relates to writing.

Although these concerns touch all aspects of teaching and learning at the high school, the impact of AI has been especially significant on the English curriculum. This year, meaningful and positive changes will take place in the English Department at Needham High School to best serve the academic and social emotional growth of our students and to best align the English curriculum with the Portrait of a Needham Graduate competencies, which are necessary for success in our quickly changing world. Please read here for additional information: English Department statement on AI.

Our approach is one in which we acknowledge the power and possibility of AI while at the same time create guardrails and clear rules and practices that will help - not hurt - our students in the long run.

• Strategic Plan & Technology The School Committee has recently adopted a new five year strategic plan based on the Portrait of a Needham Graduate, the district's framework for learning. Within the plan for the 2025-26 school year is a commitment to understanding more fully how AI can responsibly and ethically be used to strengthen district management, programs and student learning. Please check out the 25-26 District Action steps for additional information.

To learn more about how we are supporting students' safe and responsible use of technology and social media, please check out our online resources: Digital Wellness in the NPS