'Not all tech is bad:' McCaskey to create its own esports program
What happened: The district will promote interactive digital experiences that teach reasoning, problem-solving and collaboration by creating an esports program at J.P. McCaskey High School, Superintendent Keith Miles told board members.
: Several Lancaster County school districts already support students who compete as a team to solve problems through video gaming at tournaments, Wes Emlet, instructional program manager for the district's technology integration, said in a Sept. 25 phone call.
: "The students have been eager for McCaskey to have its own esports team for quite some time," Emlet said.
Why it matters: Despite recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations, students increasingly spend more time passively looking at screens on smartphones, tablets and gaming devices, Miles said during the meeting.
: "We're seeing negative effects on our youth's mental health due to prolonged screen time," Miles said.
: Digital learning, however, is necessary, Miles said. "Not all tech is bad," he said. "We understand we must expose technology to young people throughout the day."
: Miles cited January 2024 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say kids ages 8-10 spend an average of six hours a day looking at screens outside of school or work. That number rises to nine hours for those 11-14 years old and 7 1/2 hours for teens 15-18. In addition, data from Common Sense Media says passive screen time among those 8-12 years old rose from four hours and 36 minutes a day in 2015 to five hours and 33 minutes in 2021. For teens 13-18 years old, screen time increased from six hours and 40 minutes in 2015 to eight hours and 39 minutes in 2021.
: The district hopes to have the esports program running sometime this school year, Emlet said.
New names: Board members voted to honor four former district employees with building spaces that will bear their names.
Who's honored at J.P. McCaskey: The McCaskey East library will carry the name of Frank Albrecht, a beloved McCaskey student support facilitator, who died of Lou Gehrig's disease in August. The turf field soon will bear John Fellenbaum's name. He coached the school's varsity boys soccer team for 10 years before retiring in 1997. In addition, Shultz Transportation will sponsor renaming McCaskey's gym after Steven Powell, who coached the McCaskey boys basketball team for 26 seasons.
Jackson Middle School: The school's library will carry the name of Frederick Reed, the district's first Black teacher. Plans call for a plaque to bear his name and a display case to contain historical information about him.
Holiday schedule: Students will begin winter break after school is dismissed Friday, Dec. 20, board members voted. They will return to class Tuesday, Jan. 2. Limited district staff members will be available Thursday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Dec. 27.
