Two Events. One Week. A Deep Dive into the Digital Lives of Our Kids.

Next month, Pleasantville Schools will celebrate Digital Citizenship Week (October 20–24) — a time to reflect on how we can help students make thoughtful, safe, and balanced choices online. Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing lessons, activities, and resources with students and staff focused on digital wellness, online responsibility, and media balance.

We’re also excited to invite parents and community members to two special evening events designed to spark conversation and connection around the impact of technology and social media in our lives. These experiences offer valuable insights for families navigating the digital world together — we hope you’ll join us!

📅 Monday, October 20 • 7:00 PM

📍 Jacob Burns Film Center

The Pleasantville schools are collaborating with the Jacob Burns Film Center to offer a screening of a powerful and eye-opening documentary that exposes the dark side of social media and its toll on kids. Can’t Look Away follows families and advocates in their fight to hold tech companies accountable for the harm caused by dangerous algorithms.

This urgent and deeply moving film is both a warning and a call to protect future generations. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and the journalist whose reporting inspired the documentary.

🎟 Special Offer: Use promo code UNPLUG2025 at checkout to receive the member price on up to two tickets. Visit the Can’t Look Away event page on the JBFC website, select the 7:00 PM showtime in red, and enter your code before completing your purchase.

📅 Thursday, October 23 • 7:00 PM

📍 PHS Auditorium

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Devorah Heitner, nationally recognized author of Growing Up in Public and Screenwise, for an engaging and interactive conversation about raising kids in a digital world.

Dr. Heitner’s work — featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion— empowers parents and educators to guide children toward balance, responsibility, and empathy online. She’ll share practical advice, real-world stories, and research-based insights to help families thrive in today’s connected world.

🎟 Admission is free — all parents and guardians are encouraged to attend.

Reach out to PUFSD Director of Technology, Michael Sammartano with any questions.

✉️ SammartanoM@PleasantvilleSchools.org