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Downingtown Area SD presents screen‑time snapshot and readies ParentSquare rollout
Summary
Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell and staff presented Securly snapshot data showing average in‑school device logins ranging from roughly 36 minutes (K) to about one hour (middle school) and outlined next steps including homework‑guideline drafts and a Community Forum; the district also announced a soft ParentSquare rollout for families and staff.
Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell opened the Committee of the Whole with a report on district communications and technology, announcing a community forum on May 18 to discuss key district issues and noting increased registration for the event. He said the district took a ‘‘snapshot’’ week in April to measure student device usage during the school day and would discuss findings at the forum.
Lou, a district administrator, summarized the history of Downingtown’s 1:1 device program and the methodology for the snapshot, saying the district selected a typical week and used the Securly tool to measure logins to students’ Downingtown accounts. ‘‘That 36 minutes of device use isn’t consecutive,’’ Lou said of kindergarten data, adding the measure counts time logged into a student account rather than continuous screen engagement.
The presentation listed typical uses by grade: kindergarten students averaging about 36 minutes/day on the snapshot week with activities such as iReady and MyPath (the district cited a 45‑minute/week recommendation for some reading programs); grades 1–5 averaging roughly 57 minutes/day for tasks including typing, reading and math practice, and online benchmark assessments; and middle‑school students averaging about an hour as Schoology, Google Docs and other tools are used more frequently. Rob, who described secondary practices, said many encore/related periods reduce those totals compared with a hypothetical continuous measure.
Gary, who described Securly’s output, cautioned board members that the tool counts any use of a student’s district account on any device (including at home) and so out‑of‑school data are ‘‘a little messier.’’ He recommended focusing on in‑school patterns for policy decisions.
Board members asked questions about timing and context: one member pointed out the snapshot week fell just before PSSA testing and might show elevated device use; staff replied they had pulled additional weeks (October, February and a flexible‑instruction day) and found broadly consistent patterns, though timing affects the numbers.
On next steps, staff said K–6 homework guidelines are in draft and will be revised with teacher and parent input, with a goal to present administrative guidance in August for the 2026–27 school year. At secondary levels, staff said homework guidance will require additional coordination because of curriculum and college‑preparation requirements. Dr. O'Donnell said device use is a tool for learning and that the district will focus on purposeful assignments and clearer homework expectations.
Separately, the district previewed ParentSquare, a consolidated communications platform. Jen said the district will begin a soft ParentSquare rollout next week to allow families and staff full access and will offer training; she said products being retired (Remind, TalkingPoints) are being replaced and that ParentSquare supports two‑way translation in many languages. ‘‘Parents will still be able to receive emails if they don’t participate, but ParentSquare consolidates a lot of communication modalities,’’ Jen said.
The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting. Staff invited further discussion at the May 18 community forum and said they will continue to refine homework guidance with teacher leaders and parent organizations.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for May 27; the full board meets May 13.
