Digital Wellness in HCPS: Guidance for the 2026-2027 School Year-School Board Work Session 08-13-26

This Henrico Schools Board Work Session held on August 13, 2026, focused on the introduction and implementation of comprehensive digital wellness guidance for the 2026-2027 school year. The presentation detailed the development of a research-informed framework aimed at balancing purposeful technology use with student well-being across all grade levels. Key actions include limiting screen time for younger students, strengthening safeguards such as filtering and classroom management tools, and providing families with greater visibility and control over device use outside school hours. The board discussed equitable access to technology, the importance of purposeful use over screen time quantity, and the integration of AI literacy with strict controls on AI tool usage in classrooms. While no specific procurement contracts or budget allocations were mentioned, the session highlighted ongoing investments in digital tools like Securely Classroom and Securely Reveal to support these initiatives. The board emphasized continuous monitoring, stakeholder feedback, and the establishment of a digital wellness task force to guide future policy and practice.