Take the Pledge: Wait Until 8th
The Briarcrest PTA supports school environments that prioritize student learning, focus, and well-being by reducing distractions from personal devices and social media. Research and experience show that delaying smartphone use and limiting access to personal devices during the school day help students stay engaged in learning, build stronger in-person social skills, and reduce unnecessary social pressures. Families play a key role in making these efforts successful, and choosing to delay providing a smartphone sends a clear, collective message that these priorities matter.
Take an important step now and sign the Wait Until 8th pledge. Wait Until 8th lets parents and guardians band together in delaying giving their children smartphones until 8th grade. The more families that agree to wait, the less peer pressure kids experience to have a smartphone. If 10 families sign from your student's grade level at Briarcrest, you will be notified that the pledge is active and you will receive the emails of the other family members.
Proudly, 4th grade at Briarcrest has an active pledge!
Effective Bell-to-Bell Smart Phone Restrictions
The Wait Until 8th pledge is one part of a broader effort led by a group of Briarcrest parents who are advocating for stronger, more effective bell-to-bell smartphone policies at the secondary school level. This group is currently focused on working with the district to turn the existing “Off and Away” smartphone expectation into a clear, consistent policy and to ensure teachers have the tools and support they need to implement it successfully. Feedback from recent community forums shows that enforcement varies widely and that many teachers feel under-supported.
Watch this space for updates on policies and opportunities to get involved!
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Parents who are interested in learning more or joining this advocacy effort are encouraged to contact Carlene at bcfundraising@briarcrestpta.org
Digital Safety and Responsibility at Briarcrest
Our PTA is committed to fostering a school community that promotes healthy digital habits, age-appropriate technology use, and learning environments where students can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe this work is most effective when families, schools, and districts collaborate with shared goals and clear expectations.
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On this page, you’ll find information about initiatives our PTA supports to help families navigate digital safety and advocate for school policies that prioritize student engagement and well-being. These efforts are not about blaming or shaming technology use, but about creating thoughtful, developmentally appropriate boundaries that support kids as they grow.
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For more information about what the PTA is doing to encourage digital safety for our students, email Carlene at bcfundraising@briarcrestpta.org