On August 12, 2026, Westchester Children’s Association, in partnership with the Disconnect to Reconnect (D2R) Coalition, hosted a webinar featuring NYSUT President Melinda Person and Special Assistant Lonnie Threatte to discuss NYSUT’s new resolution on screen time, EdTech, and AI in schools.

The resolution, announced in May 2026 by NYSUT—New York’s largest teachers’ union, representing more than 700,000 members—calls for developmentally appropriate limits on screen time and artificial intelligence in New York schools, especially for our youngest students.

The D2R Coalition grew out of concerns among early childhood service providers and advocates about the detrimental impact of excessive screen time on very young children and the equally troubling decline of play.

The webinar was hosted by WCA Executive Director Adam Rabinovitch and featured Kathy Halas of D2R, along with representatives from D2R member organizations across Westchester County that are working to bring the issue of excessive screen use in schools to the attention of decision-makers and stakeholders. Panelists included Emily Wells, IRL NY; Caroline Rivera, Schools Beyond Screens; Jill Anderson, Mindful Tech Lessons; and Brett Goldman, OK to Delay Armonk.

Lonnie Threatte also encouraged attendees to participate in the NYSUT “Unplugged” Conference in Albany on September 25.

More than 150 participants attended the webinar, including lawmakers, school superintendents, educators, advocates, and parents.

Watch a recording of the webinar on our YouTube channel.

Here are some of the resources from the webinar:

Save the Date:
NYSUT “Unplugged” Conference — September 25, 2026

Resources:

D2R Coalition: https://westchesterlibraries.org/d2rTech_Intentionality_Survey_Summary
NYSUT resolution media release: https://www.nysut.org/news/2026/may/media-release-ed-tech
IRL NY: https://www.irlny.org/
OK to Delay: https://www.oktodelayarmonk.org/
Schools Beyond Screens: http://schoolsbeyondscreens.com/
Mindful Tech Lessons: https://mindfultechlessons.com/
Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project: https://www.distractionfreeschools.com/

OK to Delay Tech Intentionality Survey

Schools Beyond Screens Westchester: Studies and Expert Testimony Related to EdTech, Devices, and AI in Schools

Learn about alternative devices (English and Spanish)

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