Sippican Elementary students are unplugging this week, forsaking television and computers for simpler pursuits as part of the school wide “Skip the Screen” campaign.
To help families resist the temptation of the tube and monitor, the school’s PTA group, the Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (VASE), is hosting family friendly events all week – including Bingo Night, Family Dance Night, a Mad Science Show, and Math and Science Day. At the end of the week, the children even will get the change to dress as their favorite vocabulary words.
“It was a national movement initially, but we’ve pretty much chosen our own week,” explained Principal Lyn Rivet, who said that “Skip the Screen” is a nine or ten year old tradition at Sippican.
“If you are not watching a screen, you are doing things that are healthy for your mind and your body… It’s so important to realize there is more beyond watching TV, playing games on TV, sitting on computer,” Rivet said.
Rania Lavranos, of VASE, said that last year more than 100 children unplugged for Skip the Screen week.
Manning the concession stand at the first event of the week, the Bingo night, Lavranos said she thinks that kids will embrace the challenge. “I think they will do great,” she said. “[The event] is really just to let them know there is other stuff out there.”
At the end of the week, children who manage to remain unplugged sign a form along with their parents, making them eligible in a raffle for three prizes. First prize is becoming “Principal for the Day,” Second Prize is making the morning and afternoon school announcements, and Third Prize is a $20 Kool Kone gift certificate.
“They love being Principal for the day,” Rivet said of past victors. She said some students have chosen a theme for the day, such as Pajama Day or Hawaiian Day, as honorary Principal. Rivet said the student gets to visit each classroom and tour the school – and help out with lunch and recess duties.
First grader Nolan Gibbons, who attended the Bingo Night, may be the lucky winner – if he can make it through the week without the distraction of screens.
“I don’t know if he’ll make it all the way,” admitted his mother, Sheila Gibbons.
“He loves game shows,” explained Warren Gibbons, his dad.
The boy’s mother said that their family plans to try anyway, and is set on attending all of the week’s events.
“This morning I had the TV on, then remembered it was Skip the Screen week and turned it off!” she said.
Rivet said even if students “are not totally true, they still watch less than they usually do”. That means more time for other things, she said.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli