Please join Leslie Alter (parent of a 3rd and 5th grader) and Sarah Sager (parent of a JKer, 3rd grader, and future nursery student) on Thursday, March 30 at 8:30 a.m in Makom Rina for info and conversation about the Wait Until 8th movement, which helps parents join together to delay giving children a smartphone until 8th grade.

Whatever your reason for wanting to delay the smartphone - be it the impact on their sleep or behavior, increased risk for depression and anxiety, worry about cyber bullying, sexual content, or technology addiction - banding together decreases the pressure felt by kids and parents alike. Dozens of BZ families have already committed to the Wait Until 8th pledge and some will be there to speak about why and how this works for their family. Tommy Grogan, M.Ed., Dean of Middle School Students & 5th Grade Humanities Teacher, will also be on hand. Parents of EC and LS students are especially encouraged to attend. (Wait Until 8th is a parent-led initiative, not a school-sponsored event.)

Please note: Wait Until 8th is for smartphones only; students with iPads, Gizmos, flip-phones, laptops and the like can still sign the pledge! These items avoid many of the distractions and dangers of a smartphone while providing the connectivity you want and much of the freedom your child craves. Sarah and Leslie would love the opportunity to share more information with you in the hopes of having you join in, so this doesn’t feel like such an uphill battle. There is no pressure to commit at the meeting. Please reach out with RSVPs and/or questions to Lrgoldman34@gmail.com and sarah.hoffman05@gmail.com.