Superintendent's Updates

Greetings and Happy Holidays!

As Mother Nature dithers with late March and early April temperatures, many of us are fully ready for some spring time warmth!  I’m a baseball and hockey parent, and I can attest that I’ve never been in a hockey rink colder than an early April baseball game!! 

With that, I’d like to provide some updates on a recommendation to move the last day of school, my recommendation for “phone free school environments”, an event for elementary and preschool age parents, updates to our district security plans, and my recommendation for a bold strategic vision for AI in our schools.  

Last Student Day
With our one snow day this winter, and the snow season likely behind us, our last student day is scheduled for Monday June 16, an early release day.  Given that the district schedules 182 student days, while the state mandates only 180 student days, I am recommending that the Board of Education reduce the student calendar by one day (to 181) and make Monday June 16 a faculty only work day, ending the student school year on Friday June 13.  The Board is asked to take action to approve this recommendation at their meeting on April 3.

Smartphone/Wearable Technology Update
Last June, I recommended restricting access to smartphones and wearable technology during the school day across all grade levels. 

While this approach is solidly in place for grades K-8, we have maintained the current system at Staples High School, which allows limited access during non-instructional periods, as we evaluate our next steps.

This fall, I engaged with all Staples faculty in small group department meetings to gather their input. While some opinions varied, a strong majority supported moving toward greater restrictions on smartphone use, including a full ban during the school day.

In November, Wilton High School implemented a full smartphone ban. At that point, I slowed down our process so that we could observe and learn.  Their experience, and a site visit by our team in February, has provided us with valuable insights to consider before finalizing any changes in our district. 

This morning, I provided the Board of Education with a comprehensive update.  In this update I outline a series of feedback mechanisms for Staples High School community (i.e. anonymous online survey for Staples parents, students and faculty from April 7-25), and for the entire WPS K-12 school community (i.e. Moderated Community Conversation on May 6 at 7:30pm with location TBD).  

These opportunities, along with Staples student feedback sessions facilitated by Staples Principal Stafford Thomas, and a comprehensive summary of the research on the impacts of student cell phone use and cell phone restriction policies on student outcomes, will be provided to the Board of Education before any final recommendations are approved.  

All Staples parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in the survey during the window of April 7-25.  All WPS parents are encouraged to attend the Board of Education Community Conversation on this topic on May 6 at 7:30pm. The event will be moderated by venerated Westport educator and former Moderator of the RTM, Velma Heller.  

It is anticipated that the Board of Education will contemplate this recommendation at an upcoming meeting in May or June.  

Screenagers:  Elementary School Edition
On this note, Westport Together will be hosting a screening of  "Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition" on Tuesday, April 8th at 7pm at Long Lots Elementary. ⁠ The newest release from the popular "Screenagers" documentary film series, "Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition" addresses issues that elementary school aged kids, parents and educators are facing, i.e., smartwatches in class, disconnecting from and monitoring video gaming, social media pressures, exposure too young and what research shows is a healthy amount of screen time. The film offers many solutions to these and other challenges. ⁠Register at: bit.ly/screenagerswestport 

Updates to District Security Plans
Following the unspeakable tragedy of Sandy Hook, the district undertook a comprehensive evaluation of security plans for our schools in 2014.  An update was warranted.  This evaluation was completed this school year and the recommendations will be presented to the Board of Education later this spring in executive session, which is confidential and not live streamed.  

It is critically important that the security plans and discussions remain confidential to avoid compromising the safety of our schools. I share this information so that our school community can be confident that this continues to be a priority of our school district and is regularly reviewed to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for our students and staff.  

A Bold Strategic Vision for AI in the WPS
A couple of months ago I presented a bold recommendation to the Board of Education: to position the Westport Public Schools as a national leader in public education’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

Since that time, the Westport Public Schools was selected to be one of only 7 districts in the states to participate in an AI pilot program this year, a number of parents and community members have reached out to my office to offer their expertise and support in advancing this vision, and a team of 30+ WPS educators have stepped up to offer their time in the development of a district wide plan for AI in our schools.  

With the priority of maintaining the humanity in our schools, and augmenting, not replacing, the work of our educators, I am pleased to share that we continue to move forward with plans that clearly articulate a vision that addresses AI and the student, AI and the teacher, ethical considerations, and an effort to “future-proof” our schools.  

I look forward to returning with more information and updates, and perhaps at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. 

My best to you and your family,

Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools