Board and district leaders on Sept. 25 described a districtwide digital‑wellness effort centered on a staff‑wide book read of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and a three‑event family engagement series meant to produce actionable next steps.

Doctor Zirpoli told the board the book read is part of strategic goal 3, which focuses on social‑emotional learning and student mental health. She said about 87 teachers and staff were participating in the district book club and that the district is collecting qualitative data from staff via Google forms to inform planning in December.

"This is directly aligned to strategic planning goal 3," Doctor Zirpoli said, summarizing objectives that include educating staff, students and families on the impacts of technology and delivering a districtwide digital‑wellness initiative by March 2026.

Deb Merrick, identified as a community member leading the parent engagement plan, described the proposed public sessions: an Oct. 15 introductory session summarizing the book and presenting a panel of parent coaches and psychologists; an age‑banded second session (elementary focus on Nov. 11; middle/high school focus on Nov. 13) to brainstorm age‑appropriate action items; and a third community session in December to review teacher survey results and student feedback and prioritize next steps. Merrick said the district wants students included in the December session.

Administrators also discussed the board’s recent move toward phone‑free practices at the high school and said they would survey students and use that data in the community sessions. The district indicated additional professional development sessions for staff — including sessions on executive functioning, inquiry techniques and digital wellness — would build on earlier August PD days.

Board members and administrators described the work as a collective, community effort rather than a punitive program; Zirpoli emphasized that the effort is meant to bring awareness and reflection rather than assign blame.