The renowned Dr. Aliza Septimus payed a visit to KYHS seniors on January 4th to talk about technology and the undesired addiction that often comes along with its use. Dr. Septimus, psychologist and KYHS parent, explained the brain's reaction to social media, screens, and notifications. She then delved into addictive behaviors relating to a reliance on social media. Dr. Septimus clearly explained that although phones and other screens are crucial, helpful, and important parts of life, cautious usage should be paramount. Today, it is understandable to grasp a phone at all times, but Dr. Septimus gave advice on how to semi-eliminate the need offor social media and instead recognize it as the privilege that it is. The JED talk came right just in time to get us ready for precede the KYHS Phone Phast (see article below), and the knowledge Dr. Septimus shared has already proven useful by helping students understand what goes through their heads each time they share, snap, and hit send...

Over the Shabbaton, Rabbi Kroll and the administration came up with the idea of a "Phone Phast." All students would give up their phones for the entire day, opting to talk to people instead of texting them or zoning into cell-phone games. This was necessary, he claimed, explaining that devices provide a huge distraction, and people fail to stop for a moment to think. In fact, people would rather be distracted then have the time to ponder for a minute.

At breakfast on Tuesday morning, students lined up to label their phones and place them into plastic storage bins for the day. Instead of jumping from biology class to phone use, students left biology class internalizing the information they had learned. Outside of classes, the Phone Phast also proved beneficial, as students reported feeling less pressured and more focused during the day since they no longer had the urge to play Ball Blast or Game Pigeon's 8 Ball .

Because the entire* school gave in their phones for the day, the administration awarded students with an early dismissal on Wednesday, January 16th. In addition, Dunkin' Donuts gift cards were raffled off on the school's Instagram page. Students were proud to have bettered themselves both psychologically and in terms of focus. One senior was quoted saying, "I cannot wait for the next Phone Phast!"  

***Yes, the entire school gave in their phones. If you think you saw a phone, it was really just a spray-painted brick. If you think you used a phone, it was really just a figment of your imagination (or a spray-painted brick). There is no fact-checking needed here.