Skills Before Screens

Granville County Public Schools Technology Promise

“GCPS believes that technology should be used with intentionality. We will focus on growing relationships, providing rigorous instruction, and ensuring student safety. By balancing Ed Tech with human connection, we prioritize student – learning and protect their future”

Skills Before Screens Summary:

The Granville County Public Schools Skills Before Screens initiative is an intentional, research-backed approach that balances intentional technology use with strong student-teacher relationships. Born from a commitment to prioritize student well-being and recover instructional time, this initiative ensures technology serves pedagogy rather than replacing it. By establishing tech-free days on Mondays and Tuesdays, we focus on: foundational skills, encouraging face-to-face discussions, direct teacher instruction, group collaboration, and hands-on learning. Once students master core concepts, teachers strategically integrate digital tools later in the week to enhance and extend learning.

Our district’s official Technology Promise affirms that we will focus on growing relationships, delivering rigorous instruction, and ensuring student safety. Backed by paper budgets, professional development, and practical teacher resources like our "Tech Free Teacher Playbook," the initiative gives our educators the freedom to lead their classrooms without relying on software programs. Early results demonstrate that putting skills before screens builds stronger student-teacher relationships, improves student focus, and drives significant academic growth across our schools.