Concord, Massachusetts

Connected by choice.

Technology is woven into our kids' school days and home lives. We're a coalition of Concord families, caregivers, and educators working in partnership with our schools, and with each other, toward intentional, research-informed technology choices at home and at school.

For CMS families Sign the Concord Middle School parent pledge →

No single playbook

What works for one family may not fit another. We're a judgment-free space for finding your balance.

Research-informed

Evidence and local data over fear or hype, with student well-being and learning at the center.

Partnership first

A volunteer, neighbor-to-neighbor effort, working alongside our schools. Our greatest successes come through partnership.

Two places to focus

Where intentional choices happen

At School

Technology in our schools

We believe in thoughtful, well-vetted technology that meaningfully supports learning. We aim to be a supportive partner to our schools, helping build the policies and practices this fast-moving landscape demands.

  • 1Phone policies that are clear, workable, and actually enforced.
  • 2A community voice in how EdTech and AI tools get chosen.
  • 3Transparent vetting so tools are safe, legal, and proven effective.
  • 4Communication that keeps families informed as things change.
At Home

Technology in our homes

Families don't have to figure this out alone. We gather, judgment-free, to share challenges, learn from one another, and lighten the load together.

  • 1Developmentally informed timing for phones, social media, and games.
  • 2Practical ways to model and teach healthy digital habits.
  • 3Gatherings where parents and caregivers learn together.
  • 4Workshops for device settings and family controls.
Community survey · Spring 2026

What we heard from Concord families

78 parents, caregivers, and educators responded from April to May 2026. A community snapshot, not a scientific poll. And the pattern came through clearly. All figures reflect the 71 respondents from Concord Public Schools and CCHS families.

90%
flagged cell phones or screen time during the school day as a concern
The two most-cited worries
77%
do not have a clear understanding of how the personal device policy is enforced
Only 23% say they do
82%
say a Technology Advisory Committee would be "extremely valuable"
The clearest point of consensus

What families are concerned about

Share of the 71 Concord public-school respondents who flagged each concern. The eight bars are a selection; every concern is listed below.

Excessive screen time during school hours75%
Cell phone use during the school day72%
Online safety and exposure to inappropriate content70%
Screen time used as free time or as a reward65%
Time spent doing homework on school computers54%
AI tools for student use46%
Data privacy and student information45%
AI tools used by educators39%
See every concern from the survey
Excessive screen time during school hours53 · 75%
Student cell phone access or use during the school day51 · 72%
Online safety and exposure to inappropriate content50 · 70%
Use of screen time in schools during free time or as a reward46 · 65%
Amount of time spent doing homework on school-issued computers38 · 54%
Implementation of AI tools for student use (e.g., generative AI for assignments or tutoring support)33 · 46%
Data privacy and protection of student information32 · 45%
Reliance on personal smartphones for school activities (e.g., QR codes for signups or contests)31 · 44%
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools by educators (e.g., for grading, lesson planning, or student evaluation)28 · 39%
Use of social media by school clubs, teams, or programs for required communications26 · 37%
Limited digital literacy or responsible technology use in education19 · 27%
I am not concerned about school-based technology use1 · 1%
Make a difference

Take action

You don't have to do everything. Pick the one thing that feels most doable right now.

For parents of Concord Middle School students

Sign the CMS parent pledge

If your child attends or will attend Concord Middle School, this pledge is for you. By signing, you're committing to work alongside the school, and your neighbors, to keep the school day healthy and distraction-free.

  • Not send students to school with a personal device unless there is a clear family or medical need
  • Not call or text students on personal devices during school hours
  • Route all school-day communication through the school office
  • Work in partnership with educators to build a focused, connected school culture
CMS families are signing
and the list is growing.
Add your family's name.
Come together

Join a coalition meeting

We gather regularly to share what we're learning, plan next steps, and support each other. All Concord families and educators are welcome.

Sep 2026
Next meeting: date & location TBCAdd your email below to get the details
Speak up

Address the school committee

Public comment is one of the most direct ways to be heard. Anyone may speak for two to three minutes; you fill out a short form when you arrive, even if you arrive late. The next school committee meetings:

Aug 19
Joint School Committee meetingWednesday, August 19, 2026. Time and location TBC.
Sep 9
Joint School Committee meetingWednesday, September 9, 2026. Time and location TBC.
Write in

Email the school committee & administrators

A personal note from a parent carries real weight, and it doesn't have to be adversarial. We've gathered topic ideas, and what's worked for us when writing our own.

Spread the word

Encourage friends to learn more

The more families who are informed and engaged, the stronger the partnership between families and schools becomes. Share our survey, invite a neighbor to a meeting, or forward this page.

Research-informed

Where these ideas come from

The research and local data behind our work.

1
Emerson Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2024)Local data on student screen time, belonging, and well-being.
2
Massachusetts DESE, Guidance for AI in K-12 Education (2025)The state framework, including family-engagement commitments.
3
ITC Community Tech Survey (April to May 2026)Our own snapshot of Concord parents, caregivers, and educators.
4
Books, research, and guides we recommendBrowse the full collection on our Resources page.
Stay connected

Join the coalition

Add your name to stay in the loop on gatherings, workshops, and what we are learning together.

One or two emails a month.

Next gathering: September 2026, date & location TBC.

For parents of Concord Middle School students

Sign the CMS parent pledge

If your child attends or will attend Concord Middle School, commit to keeping the school day healthy and distraction-free, together with your neighbors and the school.

CMS families are signing now. Add your family's name to a growing list.
Read the pledge Sign the pledge