Pocantico Hills CSD

The PTA recently hosted its first Coffee & Connect event, launching a new series designed to strengthen the connection between families and the school through meaningful conversation. Parents gathered in the school library, with an online option available, to continue an important discussion about students’ use of technology. The conversation builds on two digital events held last year with Dr. Nathan Thoma, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Pocantico parent, and Joe McGrath, fellow Pocantico parent, educational technology director, and Board of Education member.

Educational Technology Director, Alana Winnick and Christine Perricelli, Director of Student Support Services, facilitated the session and answered questions from families.

Technology has been part of classrooms for decades, Ms. Perricelli noted, and it plays a critical role in providing access to learning—especially for students who need learning  accommodations in the classroom.  As devices and software have evolved, they have become deeply embedded in instruction for all learners and are now considered best practices.

Still, both educators and families are asking important questions: How much is too much? Which platforms genuinely support learning? How do we help students build healthy, balanced digital habits?

Ms. Winnick emphasized the district’s focus on digital wellness—teaching students how to stay safe online, maintain balance between screen time and offline activities, and use technology in ways that are meaningful rather than merely entertaining. She noted that not all screen time is equal; the goal is to help students become creators and critical thinkers rather than passive consumers. Entertainment-based platforms can deliver repeated dopamine hits that affect students’ mental health, so it’s important for families and educators to stay aware of these differences and ensure that such platforms do not influence students’ well-being.

“The type and speed of multimodal information children’s brains are processing has significantly changed over the years, and we don’t really know the true impact yet,” Ms. Perricelli said.

Principal Adam Brown shared that the district will conduct a digital audit to review all student-facing platforms—evaluating which tools support learning, and which ones need to be reconsidered.

Ms. Winnick also noted that the district uses Lightspeed Classroom, which allows teachers to monitor student device use in real time and block sites that are not relevant to instruction during that class period. As the district’s Data Protection Officer, she reviews all new technology before it reaches Adam Brown for curriculum review. Her role focuses on ensuring that every software program complies with New York Ed. Law 2D. While all educational platforms collect some level of data, approved programs must contractually agree to protect student information and meet all Ed. Law 2D requirements before they can be considered by the administrative team for instructional use.

Parents and educators agreed that achieving balance is the priority—identifying which technologies truly enhance learning, and how to set reasonable expectations for device use at school and at home.

Families shared several ideas they would like the district to explore, including providing more device-free time, using paper worksheets for homework when appropriate, encouraging outdoor play during recess, offering non-digital choices during classroom downtime, and fostering regular conversations at school and at home about healthy tech habits.

Attendees agreed that small changes can have a big impact. While shifts may take time, families expressed enthusiasm about continuing the conversation and participating in future opportunities to discuss technology use and other topics important to the community.