What is Rutherford Unplugged?

Rutherford Unplugged is a group of parents and community members with children across all public schools in Rutherford who have read the research and believe that humans learn better with pen to paper and face to face interaction. Note taking, reading full books, hands on experiments are all how mind/body learning and retention takes place. Therefore we started this group to begin working with the school district on reducing screen time and passive tech usage.

Why does Rutherford Unplugged exist?

After Superintendent Jack Hurley assigned the Anxious Generation as parent reading a lot of us found ourselves resonating with delaying smartphones but also feeling that the heart of that book resonated with Chromebooks and edtech as well- in person interaction is better than a screen- and we started researching screens in school. We started sharing our concerns with other parents we knew and found out we were not alone! Lots of parents and even our kids felt this way! So we made a group to advocate and work with the schools and administration to decrease the amount of screen time across the board in RSD

Unplugged makes it sound like you are against technology, is that true?

Nope! In fact a lot of us work in technology ourselves, we recognize that not only is technology here to stay, it can have many positive impacts on our lives. However we also recognize that the research makes it clear that edtech and excessive screen time in schools is detrimental to learning and cognitive growth

How will my child learn to use Chromebooks / laptops/ AI etc… Will my child be ready for the workforce if we decrease these devices in school?

Yes your child will be ready for college and the workforce without excessive use of Chromebooks / laptops / Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in school. Technology is rapidly advancing, and changing. There is no way to know what it will look like when they get to the workforce. Instead of teaching them how to use one tool we want to teach them problem solving and critical thinking skills so they can use any technology that exists now and will exist in future.

What does Eliminate 1:1 Chromebook curriculum for 6th grade and under mean?

Great question! This does not mean remove Chromebooks from school, moving from a 1:1 device (Chromebook) curriculum just means that instead of each child being assigned a specific Chromebook for the year the devices will be managed at a broader level the way it is handled currently for K-2nd grade. Chromebooks will still be utilized for learning and instruction but this policy change would eliminate more passive access to devices such as during aftercare, recess, or lunch. Many other districts are implementing a similar policy including Hopewell NJ and Maplewood South Orange. For districts with this policy in place there is still a way for students who need a school issued Chromebook at home to access one. Some schools create a library checkout system.

If I sign the pledge am I saying I’m against all screen time even outside of school?

No. In fact, most of us allow screen time (tv, video games etc) for our kids to varying degrees. We are not here to tell you how to parent, just to advocate for reducing screen time in the classroom!

If I sign the pledge, will my name be made public?

No. Individual pledge signer names, email addresses, and contact information are not displayed publicly on the website. Your pledge may be counted anonymously as part of overall community support.

If you choose to share a personal testimonial, it will not be published publicly unless you also consent to Rutherford Unplugged publicly sharing the testimonial anonymously. If a testimonial is shared publicly, your name, email address, phone number, and direct contact information will not be published with it.

Will Rutherford Unplugged share my information with the school district or administration?

We may share aggregate or anonymized summaries of community support, pledge counts, or common themes. We will not share your email address, phone number, private message, or direct contact information with the school district, school administration, Board of Education, media, or other outside stakeholders without your consent. If someone asks to speak with a pledge signer or testimonial provider, we may contact you first to ask whether you would like to be introduced.

Can I change my pledge, testimonial, or privacy preference later?

Yes. You can contact Rutherford Unplugged to ask us to update your pledge information, remove you from update emails, change your anonymity preference, withdraw consent for future public use of an anonymous testimonial, or request deletion of information you provided where reasonably possible.

If I share a testimonial, will it be posted publicly?

Not unless you consent. Testimonials and parent experiences submitted through the website are treated as private to Rutherford Unplugged unless you check the optional consent box allowing Rutherford Unplugged to publicly share your testimonial anonymously. If a testimonial is shared publicly, Rutherford Unplugged will not publish your name, email address, phone number, or direct contact information with it.