WCGS strengthens school-home partnership with technology-focused parent series

Did you know that children ages 8 to 18 spend approximately 7 hours and 38 minutes per day with modern technology (Kaiser Family Foundation)? As we weigh the pros and cons of technology, it is important for parents and faith leaders to lovingly teach children how to use it with wisdom and discernment. This is one of the reasons why the WCGS Administration launched its first-ever parent series in the fall of 2017 called Continuing the Discussion… to support, come alongside, and encourage parents as they raise their children in an ever-changing world.

This topic was chosen in response to a presentation done at WCGS by Axis. This Christian organization sends young adult speakers to talk to students and parents on how to think clearly and critically about what ideas and messages from technology, Scripture, and entertainment are impacting their habits and lives. The four energetic speakers facilitated two presentations, one for our Jr. High students and one for parents and faculty. With the students, they discussed three topics: the effects of technology on their faith and relationships; reflection on music, movies, and other media to contrast what they currently love with what they should love; and examined practical opportunities for students to live a life of service and compassion. With our parents and faculty, the discussion centered on raising children in a world saturated with technology, the leading technologies that are discipling the next generation and how they have revolutionized the world, and practical steps to navigating with wisdom.

The WCGS Administration did not want to end the conversation there though. A parent session followed Axis’s visit a few weeks later to help parents learn more about instructional units and lessons being taught at WCGS to support what Axis discussed. This included the topics of what it means to be made in the image of Christ, digital discipleship, living a life of purity, and God-honoring healthy relationships.

Other Continuing the Discussion… events included a special Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast – which featured 6th grade teacher, Eric Johnson, who taught on the book, “The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place” by Andy Crouch, Coffee with the Administration, a viewing of the documentary Screenagers, and presentations by counselors and school dads, Matt McDonald, on living with anxiety, and Dr. Chris Mazzarella, on habits of the mind and heart.

These events have cultivated a partnership between parents, faculty, staff, and the administration, as discussion time is always valued. This designated time allows for everyone to ask questions and share thoughts through a biblical perspective, finding God’s opinion on matters of the head and heart.

“Our curriculum and programming are designed with intentionality in mind,” said Principal Marc Painter. “This series has provided a great platform for equipping our families with essential tools to help navigate this critical responsibility of parenting. We believe strongly in the partnership that we have with our school families – we need each other and are on this journey together!”

The Continuing the Discussion… series has three goals: to strengthen our school-home partnership, provide families with awareness on timely, relevant issues, and to reinforce a biblical worldview. There will be more events this year on raising children in a technological world and then will continue with different topics over the next few years.

Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.