Submitted by Westfield Washington Schools
Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) is highlighting the efforts of Oak Trace Elementary teachers who are encouraging students and families to unplug from screens and reconnect with the world around them through a special Screen-Free Week initiative.
Fourth-grade teacher Lucy Grenda and second-grade teacher Jaclyn Helman have challenged their students to collectively spend 1,000 hours outdoors while reducing recreational screen time leading up to spring break. The effort aims to promote healthier habits by encouraging child-led play, family time, outdoor activity, and meaningful social interaction.
“This is my fourth year of challenging students at the start of January until right before spring break to get 1,000 hours outside while also setting a maximum limit of screens as a class,” Grenda said. “The goal is to increase our outdoor time in the winter when it is harder to want to go outside and easier to stay in and use our screens. I was so excited when more teachers joined the challenge this year! I got this idea from the 1000 Hours Outside organization, who tries as a family to get 1,000 hours outside in a year.”
The initiative also includes a Screen-Free Week at Oak Trace, March 16 to 22, designed to help students and families explore fun alternatives to digital entertainment. Activities throughout the week encourage students to swap screen time for creative, social, and outdoor experiences.
The week will feature two family-focused events:
- Family Scavenger Hunt: Tuesday, March 17 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Oak Trace Elementary, where families will explore the school grounds together and complete interactive challenges. Westfield Mayor Scott Willis will participate as one of the community stations during the event.
- Family Playground Night: Friday, March 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., students, families, and staff are invited to gather for music, outdoor play, and time to connect.
Students are also invited to participate in Screen-Free Bingo, a challenge featuring activities such as reading a book, discovering a new park, playing a board game, writing a letter, or spending extended time outdoors.
Students who participated last year shared:
“I have noticed that I have been going outside more and less time on the screens and more time outside, like playing catch with my football and playing with friends.”
“I noticed a big change from the outdoor challenge and screen time challenge by sleeping better because I’ve been going outside and reading instead of being on screens.”
“I used to always want to just be on my screens. I’d also make excuses for not going outside. But now, I love going outside, even if it’s just to watch my little brother and now sometimes I avoid doing any screen time!”
The goal of Screen-Free Week is not to eliminate technology entirely, but to help families reflect on their relationship with screens and discover enjoyable alternatives. The program encourages participants to reduce entertainment screen use for the week while strengthening connections with family, friends, and their community.
“We hope this week will spark conversations about the impact of screens in the classroom and our lives,” Helman said. “Also, this week will give us time to reflect on how we can support each other in an ever-evolving digital world.”
This initiative was made possible through a teacher grant from the Westfield Education Foundation (WEF), which supports innovative classroom ideas and learning experiences for students across the district. WEF is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. This grant is just one of many activities made possible by the foundation for the education and well-being of Shamrock students.
By encouraging families to step away from screens and spend time together, Oak Trace teachers hope to spark conversations across the community about finding balance with technology and prioritizing real-world connection.