At Apache Junction Unified School District, we’ve always believed that real learning—and real connection—happens when students are fully present. And more often than not, it’s the small moments that make the biggest difference.

It’s a student raising their hand for the first time.  A kindergartner tying their own shoes. A teacher pausing to celebrate progress that might go unnoticed on a report card. These moments don’t always make headlines—but they shape who our kids become.

That’s why, last year, AJUSD made the intentional decision to limit cellphone use during the school day. It was a move rooted in care—care for student focus, social-emotional well-being, and mental clarity. And now, with Governor Katie Hobbs signing a new bill to limit cellphone use across all Arizona public schools, we’re proud to have been ahead of the curve.

What we’ve seen since implementing our policy has been encouraging:

•     Students are more focused and engaged.
•     There’s less distraction and anxiety.
•     Conversations during lunch and recess are louder, livelier, and more inclusive.
•     Teachers are spending more time teaching, less time managing screens.

But we also know that what happens at school is only part of the picture. So this spring, as the weather warms and our days get a little longer, I want to encourage families to “spring into downtime”—to take the phone-free spirit we’re building in our classrooms and bring it home.

Here are a few simple ways to embrace screen-free, meaningful moments this season:

Tech-Free Dinners:
Make mealtimes a “device-free zone,” even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Ask your child about their high and low of the day—or tell them yours.

Sunset Walks or Backyard Time:
Spend time outside as a family in the evening. Watch the sunset. Walk the dog. Pull a few weeds. Dip your toes in the pool. It doesn’t have to be structured—it just has to be together.

Family Reading Time:
Choose a short chapter book to read aloud as a family—even older kids enjoy being read to more than you might think.

Unplugged Game Night:
Dust off the board games or play a card game after dinner. These low-key moments create laughter, competition, and lifelong memories.

Creative Quiet Time:
Encourage drawing, journaling, or building something hands-on—without reaching for a screen. Let imaginations wander.

Conversation Jars:
Fill a jar with fun or thoughtful questions (“What would you do if you had a time machine?” or “What’s something that made you smile this week?”). Pull one out during dinner or before bed.

Presence doesn’t have to be perfect. But when we model it—at home, at school, and in our community—we teach our kids the value of being fully here.

At AJUSD, we are proud to be a Small District with a Big Heart and Endless Possibilities. That’s more than a tagline—it’s how we lead, how we teach, and how we show up for our students every single day.

So let’s keep choosing the small things. Because when we do, they lead to something greater than we ever imagined.

Dr. Robert Pappalardo, Superintendent