SPOKANE, Wash. — A new initiative in Spokane Schools is addressing the growing disengagement teachers feel from students.
Engage In Real Life (Engage IRL) works to enhance access for students in Spokane to extracurricular activities.
“We want every kid, every day, doing something outside of school, whether that is a club, an activity, an athletic,” said Spokane Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Adam Swinyard.
For educators in Spokane, it has become clear students are having a harder time getting engaged in schools.
This manifests itself in a lot of different ways said Dr. Swinyard. “It could be manifested in chronic absenteeism; it could be manifested in coming to class and not engaging in activities.”
The school board approved a policy this summer, creating new restrictions on cell phone use at Spokane Public Schools. Now it is launching this initiative to address student engagement.
SPS plans to take actional steps to promote reduce reliance kids have on their phones, and instead foster more face-to-face interactions through after-school activities.
The initiative’s structure includes an engagement navigator in schools, who will help students find an activity that suits their interests.
Engage IRL has a website that acts as a one-stop shop for parents. It offers resources on how families can become more involved in the Spokane community.
The Spokane Public Schools partnered with LaunchNW to bring this initiative to life.
“It is about getting kids to shift away from social media, the virtual world, and shift them towards real life,” said Ben Small, executive director of LaunchNW.
SPS said that through this initiative, students’ mental and physical well-being will improve.
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