Alexi Tabrizi is mom to a first grader at Kenwood Elementary and has lived in Minneapolis the past seven years after being based in Berlin, London and NYC for her career in global tourism. She lives in the Cedar-IslesDean neighborhood.
About 40 parents and caregivers recently gathered at Kenwood School for a thoughtful discussion organized by the Kenwood Site Council on how technology is shaping children’s lives and the shared challenges of setting boundaries and limits.
Participants reflected on how play has changed since their own childhoods, why technology limits can be difficult to enforce, and strategies that have helped children stay present and engaged.
The session was led by Alyssa Polack, Kenwood’s instructional coach, along with parent facilitators Corey China, Annie Meister and Alexi Tabrizi.
The conversation was intentionally open and judgment-free, with families coming together to look for solutions as a community while also thinking ahead to future decisions around smartphones and social media. To encourage participation, the Kenwood PTA sponsored childcare at the adjoining rec center.
Heidi Johnson, Kenwood Community School principal and Kenwood Site Council co-chair, said, “Opportunities to come together as a school community to discuss issues weighing on the hearts and minds of educators and caregivers are incredibly valuable. I’m grateful for the chance to work in partnership with families to support safe, healthy and intentional uses of and access to technology at each grade-level band.”
The meeting marked the first of three planned evenings hosted by the Kenwood Site Council on this topic. The next event will include a screening of the award-winning 45-minute documentary “Screenagers” in mid-January.
“I’m grateful for the chance to work in partnership with families to support safe, healthy and intentional uses of technology.”
— Heidi Johnson,
Kenwood Community
School Principal
The film explores youth mental health, screen time and digital wellness. Childcare will again be provided, followed by a group discussion that organizers expect will build on the strong conversation and engagement from the first event.
