Hilltop families participate in first ‘Screen Free Week’

Students at Hilltop Primary School participated in their first ever “Screen Free Week” May 13-18. Social worker Lori Springer explained that the intention behind Screen Free Week is to encourage everyone to turn off screens to connect with family, friends, nature, and their own creativity.

“Classrooms were very creative with how they spent their time throughout the week,” said Springer. “We saw classes doing lessons outside, math facts with sidewalk chalk, math games in the classroom, bonus time outside enjoying the fresh air, extra physical activity, lots of book reading, and creativity every day!”

Screen free activities were not limited to the school day. To get parents and siblings involved, Hilltop put together an entire slate of activities and suggestions for the week, including White Hawks sports activities; a craft and board game night; evening family story time at the Westonka Library; a mini bike rodeo; and a hike to the “property” with Brett Sieberer, “Mr. Brett” to his students, from Three Rivers Park District.

The fun continued on Saturday with Kids’ Boot Camp and gardening in the school’s new greenhouse. Families were encouraged to wrap up a fun week at a pizza night at the Minnetonka Orchard on Sunday night.

One Hilltop parent said she was “thrilled” that Hilltop created a screen free week and made a focused and intentional choice to “disconnect” kids as much as possible. She said that even though they try to promote that type of activity at home, the follow-through can be hard in a world full of technology – despite the clear benefits in terms of wellness and mental health/anxiety reduction.

“It was really exciting to hear success stories from staff regarding my own child, who I was told had his best week of the school year yet!” said the parent. “It seemed both his, and other students’, concentration shifted, and noticeable changes were observed, which was really cool to hear and gives pause to the relationship between child, technology, school and home.”

Based on great feedback from parents, students, and staff alike, organizers at Hilltop are already planning to make “Screen Free Week” an annual event.