Key themes emerge from the meeting

By Cherry Dumaual

The first in a series of three Community Read meetings, initiated by New Fairfield Public Schools, took place at the town’s Senior Center on November 14. Elementary School Psychologist David Lucian and Social Worker Kim Heran delivered a presentation and facilitated an open forum for community members.

The goal of the Community Read is to bring families, educators, and residents into one shared conversation about children’s well-being. By reading and discussing The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, the district hopes to build a common understanding of the challenges students face—especially around technology and anxiety—while giving parents and guardians practical tools to support healthier habits at home. The initiative also strengthens the partnership between home and school and reinforces the district’s commitment to student wellness and balanced digital literacy.

Throughout the meeting, several parents openly shared concerns and offered suggestions for solutions they hope the district will consider. Their comments focused on practical steps schools could take to reduce anxiety and promote a more balanced approach to technology use. The discussion reflected a strong desire for collaboration with educators and a shared commitment to supporting students’ mental health in today’s digital age.

As expected, reactions to the issues raised during the presentation were emotional. One common theme was anxiety about technology and an unpredictable future. Parents expressed hope that children could learn to “live with it,” developing skills to keep technology from creating unnecessary stress. Many adults acknowledged their own uncertainties, noting that their worries often mirror the anxieties their children experience.

Participants also reflected on their own more unstructured childhood—experiences they feel today’s children have lost due to heightened concerns about safety. One mother recalled, “I grew up where my mom just left me in school until I was done playing, and then I walked home… I wonder about how to recreate these experiences under changed circumstances.” Her comment captured both nostalgia and concern about whether current options allow children the same independence and sense of freedom.

A recurring theme throughout the forum was the desire for stronger community support, including partnerships with parents, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), and other local groups. Many attendees expressed that this support would be especially helpful for parents who feel uncertain or alone as they navigate new norms around technology and childhood independence.

To summarize, the key themes from the meeting include:

• Community Partnership and Play Structures

Calls for a balanced mindset, closer collaboration with parents and community groups, increased free-play opportunities, more recess time, and efforts to foster independence and community-building for students of all ages.

• Community Sessions and Mental Health

An emphasis on involving adults before changes are made, building resilience in children, and summarizing session themes for further action by the school board or relevant groups.

• Teaching Children to Navigate Technology

A focus on helping students develop healthy digital habits, reducing technology-related anxiety and stress, and encouraging responsible use through conversations among educators, families, and the wider community.

• Continued Conversations

Recognition that discussions about the impact of technology should continue at all grade levels, using shared learning as a springboard for reflection and action.

At the close of the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Craw thanked attendees and noted that he, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kristine Woleck, and the district’s mental health team will reflect on the themes emerging from all three sessions. These themes will help guide ongoing discussions, potential adjustments, and new opportunities—possibly in partnership with the PTO or other community groups— to provide parents with additional resources.

The second Community Read, for families of students in grades 6–12, will be held at the high school on Friday, November 21, at 9 a.m. To increase accessibility, a third session has been added for those who can’t attend during the day. It is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

Copies of the book are available at the New Fairfield Public Library. Families can also explore related resources, such as TED Talks and podcasts, to engage further with the book’s ideas.