Glen Rock district to pilot daytime blackout of grade portal to ease student stress

Mr. Van Ness, a district staff member, told the board the administration will pilot temporarily blocking student access to the Genesis student‑information portal during the school day to reduce anxiety and classroom distraction. "We're gonna shut off access from 7AM to 3PM, giving people a pause so that they're not constantly checking it all day long," Van Ness said, adding the portal would be turned back on each afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

The board heard why administration proposed the pilot during a discussion framed around student wellness. Van Ness summarized district staff and student feedback that constant grade‑checking distracts students from class, fuels unhealthy peer comparisons and increases stress. Student council member Hudson, who addressed the board earlier in the meeting, said students also notice the pressure. "This is not something I've heard about but something I'm already excited about," Hudson said when the pilot was raised.

Van Ness said the pilot will run for the third marking period and that staff will communicate details to families before it begins. He told the board the administration will monitor the pilot, check in with students, staff and parents, and revisit the policy if it "makes it worse or doesn't make it better." The board did not take a formal vote on the pilot during this meeting; the proposal was presented as an administrative plan and next steps include community notification and follow‑up reviews.

Board members expressed support for trying a change intended to reduce anxiety and classroom distraction. A board member noted the district would distribute articles and background materials about grade obsession to explain the rationale to families. The board also clarified that any blackout would not remove daily access entirely—students and families would regain access after school hours and administrators said the district will preserve the ability to communicate urgent grade or school messages if needed.

The pilot is limited in scope: it will apply during school hours (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for the stated marking period only, and staff will report results to the board after the trial ends. The administration identified communications and monitoring as immediate tasks; no change to district policy or a record vote was made at this meeting.