Students Turn Technology in at Night as Part of Voluntary Pilot Program

Before Putney students turn in for the night, some of them are also turning in their phones, tablets, laptops and other devices as part of a voluntary pilot program designed to help them get more sleep.

“We are looking to offer students the opportunity to part from their technology overnight in order to get more restorative rest,” Bryan Johansmeyer, assistant dean of students and director of residential life, said in a letter to parents over the summer. Families had the option to sign the Putney Tech Free Partnership, which was implemented at the beginning of the fall semester.

Students are welcome to sign up anytime during the semester, and Johansmeyer said between 15 and 20 students so far have agreed to leave their devices with a dorm parent before winding down for the night.

Huseby Dorm Parent Dan Folgar, who also serves as director of Putney Summer Arts, said there are two students in his building who are part of the pilot program. A male freshman student turns in his cell phone at night through a family-made decision.

“It’s preventing the mindless, endless scrolling until they pass out at 3 a.m.,” Folgar said. And a senior female student has self-selected to turn in her laptop.

“Her plan was to do it so she could not procrastinate on her homework,” he said.

A Voluntary and Flexible Partnership

According to Johansmeyer, the beauty of the partnership is that it’s both voluntary and flexible. If a student needs their laptop one night to finish an assignment, that’s perfectly acceptable. Families can also pick and choose which nights they would like to be tech-free, as well as which devices students should turn in during the late check-in. Once given to the on-duty dorm parent, they are locked in a secure area and checked back out in the morning.

“If a student’s like, ‘I’m not turning it in tonight,’ we as the dorm parents are not going to put up a fight,” Johansmeyer said. “We really want the families and the students to take ownership of it rather than us having to mandate anything on our side.” Faculty and administrators may reach out to the student’s family to notify them of the decision, and go from there.

Folgar says the program has been running smoothly. There have been a few nights where a student has not turned in their device, and in those cases he works with them to figure out why, and helps them make adjustments for the future.

“I don’t want to force them to give up their tech,” Folgar said. “It’s something they signed up for and that they need to actively participate in it, and not have it be a punishment. They have to make the choice.”

Considering Technology, in A Putney Way

The timing of the program coincides with an uptick in varying levels of phone and technology bans in educational settings across the nation, based on research asserting the use of devices in schools undermines attention, learning, relationships and belonging.

“This is important, but what happens when classes are not in session is just as essential to the success of our community and the individuals within it,” the letter to parents said. “We believe that deciding as a community to take better care of ourselves and look at what is preventing our community from connecting deeply and getting enough sleep is a more Putney way of promoting wellbeing.”

At Putney, technology is often leveraged throughout the day as a classroom tool, and the use of personal devices during that time has not had any negative academic effects. Instead, faculty and administrators have “zoomed out” to identify where technology is really causing an issue, and worked to address the root of the cause.

“Here at Putney, we are finding that one of the largest impacts screens and devices have on our students is limiting the amount of good, restorative sleep they get,” the letter to parents said. “Rest is crucial to engagement and well-being. We hope to partner with both students and their families to remove the devices from dorm rooms that distract students from getting needed sleep.”

Johansmeyer elaborated.

“A part of what we see is just tired kids that are not getting enough restorative rest at night,” he said. “And then when you walk it back, you quickly see the ones that are the most tired and worn out are the ones who are up late on their devices at night … for some students, it’s hard to manage that draw of their technology.”

Johansmeyer said the intention of the Putney Tech Free Partnership is to provide a space for students to build better habits around technology, and that means working together as a community to come up with effective methods.

“While bans can work, partnering and committing to a healthy process creates better outcomes and just feels better overall,” the letter to parents said. “We are looking to partner with not only our students but their families to make our community better, become better students, and enjoy everything that Putney has to offer.”

Parent Mandy Casamassima said she says she’s on the strict side when it comes to limiting her kids’ access to technology, and this policy is a welcome extension of rules that are already in place at home.

Her son participates in the program by turning in his computer at night. She would prefer he also turn in his phone, but they came to a compromise where he can keep it for the benefits of listening to music to go to sleep at night, and having an alarm in the morning.

“So we’re now only partially using the policy, which is less my choice and more kind of a give and take,” Casamassima said.

Her son also feels like he’s in the minority as far as the number of students participating, and she believes if more students sign up, it will become easier to implement.

“I do think if there were more families in the program, it might’ve allowed us to stick with it fully,” she said.

At the end of the semester, Putney will start collecting feedback about the pilot program to determine what was successful and what needs improvement for the future.

“My hope is that students come to the realization themselves that this is a healthier way,” Johansmeyer said, “And it’s not changing a huge piece of their lifestyle to turn their stuff in at night, and go to sleep.”

Art Exhibit: Faculty Show 2024, Nov. 8 — Dec. 8

Our Faculty Show this year focuses on the inclusive nature of the second Putney School Fundamental Belief: “To learn to appreciate and participate in the creative arts where we give expression to our struggle for communication of our inner lives and for beauty, and to grant these arts great prestige.” This show features the work of 21 faculty members. It celebrates our faculty’s joy in making and willingness to share.

 

 

Nimbus Dance to Perform Nov. 1 with Putney Students

Professional dance company Nimbus Dance will return to The Putney School for a performance on Friday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Calder Hall.

Nimbus Dance has performed at The Putney School annually for 13 straight years, making this unique, creative, and educational partnership one of the most enduring programs of its kind in the country.

Students from Putney take masterclasses from the professional company dancers, while Nimbus uses the time to develop and rehearse new dance works. This year, Putney students will perform alongside company dancers of the lauded company artistic director, Samuel Pott’s newest work in progress: “Dark Water” which will premiere with the New Jersey Symphony in March 2025.

“Dark Water” is the third installment of Samuel Pott’s environmentally-themed series Anima, rounding out a 10-year collaboration between choreographer Samuel Pott and composer Qasim Naqvi. Where the earlier works: “Patch of Turf” (2015) and “Falling Sky” (2019), reflect and contrast earthly/primal and lofty/ethereal realms of experience, “Dark Water” completes the cycle by drawing inspiration from forces of ocean and liquid that are seen as a constant around us and within us.

Also on the Program: A tender and expansive new duet by Cuban choreographer, Pedro Ruiz and classic works from the Nimbus Repertory: “Six Chansons” and “The After Party”

“Nimbus’ partnership with The Putney School has always been a source of inspiration and renewal for our company,” said Pott. The opportunity to explore new creative ground in such an enriching environment fuels our work, and having Putney students join us on stage this year brings a unique energy to “Dark Water.” We’re proud to continue this tradition of collaboration that deepens the artistic experience for everyone involved.”

Pott also has ties to the Putney community. His mother Jay Goodwin Pott graduated with the Class of ‘62 and his cousin John Byrne Cook with the Class of ‘58.

Putney’s Director of Dance + Performing Arts Coordinator, Jessica Batten is looking forward to the visit.

“The Putney Dance Program is elated to host Nimbus Dance on our campus once again!” Batten said. “The exchange of energy and inspiration during this week-long residency is palpable and one of the highlights of our entire year. Come witness the Nimbus/Putney magic and see what a gift this collaboration is for all.”

Host an International Student

Dear Putney Families,

Among the notable silver linings emerging from the challenges of the Covid years has been the flexibility, openness, and the generous hospitality of many Putney families who saved the day for students from overseas who could not return home.

As we continue to rebuild a strong and diverse international student body on campus, we also need to continue building the network of Putney families, especially those within driving distance, to support students from far away. The benefits of having varied perspectives and backgrounds in the classroom and community are extraordinary: friendships with someone raised in another country and culture is a great gift. Most international students hope for for a broader personal experience: a chance to share their stories, (your?) home-cooking, and others’ cultures and traditions. 

Putney’s students this year come to us from China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ukraine.

Historically, Putney families have hosted international students over short and long vacation breaks when dorms are closed.  They have invited international students to join them for holidays, family trips, or simple one-night sleepovers.  Some families can provide repeated homestays and local support for a student who becomes, nearly, a member of the family. Others can offer a one-time stay to fill an urgent need.  We know now of pressing needs for particular students in the coming year, and are actively seeking hosts for some of for Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and March Break.  Is your family interested in and able to support Putney’s international students for one of these vacations?

Here a brief questionnaire for your family to offer this kind of hospitality.  We hope you will take some time to discuss this opportunity with your family and reply to our questions after the October vacation.

If you have any questions, please contact one or both of us.

Sincerely,

Libby Holmes (lholmes@putneyschool.org)  & Marie Derouault (mderouault@putneyschool.org)

International Student Office

 

Inquire Now