On Tuesday, June 10, Spokane Public Schools and Launch NW invited community leaders and supporters to Madison Elementary School to reflect and celebrate the progress of our Engage In Real Life (IRL) initiative to get kids off screens and participating in real life activities, which was launched in advance of the 2024-25 school year.
“This initiative is more than just about attendance. It’s about connection, belonging and showing up for one another,” said School Board president Nikki Otero Lockwood in her welcome.
Check out a few highlights from this year’s engagement and Tuesday’s event:
Superintendent Dr. Adam Swinyard shared statistics about the impact of removing cell phones from classrooms this year in tandem with efforts to get every student active in a sport, club, the arts, or another community activity.
“When we engage kids and we start focusing on building relational connective tissue, good things happen,” he shared, noting that SPS students had the opportunity to engage in 1,024 unique activities across grade levels this year.
LaunchNW executive director Ben Small also praised staff and community groups who are helping students and families connect to activities where they can belong and thrive.
“Engage In Real Life is about creating a system in our community that supports youth, that supports healthy families, that supports the opportunities for kids to express themselves in a way that they don't necessarily do in a classroom. But it captures their spirit, their passion, and the essence of who they are,” Small said.
Watch a recording of the event:
Thank you to all who attended, especially our guest speakers:
City of Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown
Spokane Parks and Recreation Director Garrett Jones
Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson
WSU College of Nursing Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Clinical Associate Professor Dr. Anne Mason, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP
Madison Elementary School Principal Heather Holter
Madison Elementary School Student Leaders Liza (4th grade) and Hadley (5th grade)
Find activities where you can belong at EngageIRL.com.
IN THE NEWS
The Spokesman-Review: Class of 2025 shows increase in kids involved in extracurriculars
KREM 2 News: Spokane Public Schools to discuss impact of cellphone policy
KXLY: SPS sees big changes with cell phone ban, 'Engage IRL' initiative
KXLY: Spokane Schools sound the alarm on negative effects of late-night screen time on children and teens