The Lookup Challenge

McGlynn Middle School Lookup Challenge Hosted by the CCSR

The CCSR is sponsored by grants from the Cummings Foundation and the Krystle Campbell Community Betterment Project.

At the McGlynn Middle School, the CCSR initiated the schoolwide LookupChallenge. The challenge originated from Ms. Susan Reynold’s presentation on December 4th, “Thriving in the Age of Digital Distraction,” at the McGlynn where both Susan and Principal Tucci challenged all of the students to participate. LookUp.live is a non-profit startup whose mission is to support youth designed solutions for technology and real life balance. Over the course of the past few years, McGlynn Middle School students have been challenged to reflect upon how they can take a more balanced approach with their use of technology. The award winning film Screenagers has been shown to students at the school and students have engaged in discussions in their WIN block homerooms on the topic of screen-time in their lives. 

Over the course of two days, the McGlynn Middle School had 125 participants join the challenge. CCSR students made announcements on the McGlynn Morning Show, encouraging their peers to challenge themselves to limit their use of screen time over the course of the week. Chromebooks were available for students to register for the challenge during lunches.

The challenge begins today, December 13th and ends Friday December 20th. In the sign-up survey, most students admitted that they are distracted by their phone, video games, or netflix when they are studying or working on homework. They discussed with Ms. Olsen how they are all on their phones when they spend time with their friends outside of school. Students were fearful to put their phones down for a week because they would lose a streak on snapchat or miss out on what their friends are doing. 

This allowed for conversations about how valuable facetime is with our friends and family. It also encouraged students to see how quickly they get their homework done without any distractions.

Some students took a vow to take a break from binge watching youtube and netflix over the course of the week, a break from playing video games, and a break from social media so they can spend more time with their friends. Others are planning on not sleeping with their phone in the bedroom.

During the week of the challenge, students are encouraged to add to the McGlynn Middle School Wall of Joy. Taking a break from social media and Netflix will help us realize the true joy in our lives. We’re looking forward to sharing everything we are grateful for next week!