Spartanburg Day School

Spartanburg Day School, in partnership with Bella Vision, will host a community conversation titled “When Tech Helps and When It Hurts in Education” on Monday, March 9, on the SDS campus.

Registration is now available for families, educators, and community members who would like to attend the program scheduled inside the Valerie M. Barnet Theatre. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. for light refreshments, and the program will begin at 6:15 p.m.

The event will feature Dr. Janet Wilson, a board-certified neuro-optometrist and owner of Bella Vision, and Katie Clayton, Head of Lower School at Spartanburg Day School. Together, they will explore both clinical experience and current research on screen time, attention, and deep learning, while offering practical strategies to help children develop strong, focused minds in an increasingly digital world.

As technology becomes more embedded in daily life, families continue to ask an important question. Is screen time helping children thrive or quietly diminishing their ability to focus? Organizers say the evening is designed to provide clarity and practical guidance rooted in both research and classroom experience.

“We want this to be a collaborative and informative conversation,” Clayton said. “Technology is a powerful part of our children’s learning and daily lives. Our goal is to equip parents with the knowledge to ask thoughtful questions, understand both the benefits and the risks, and support healthy technology habits at home and at school. When schools and families work together with clear, research-based information, we can help students build strong attention skills, protect their mental and physical health, and perform at their highest potential.”

The program is open to the Spartanburg community, including parents, grandparents, educators, and friends of the school.

"I am truly looking forward to this conversation at Spartanburg Day School," Wilson said. "Eighteen years from the exam chair tell a compelling story about technology's role in the changes in children's vision, development, and learning. Partnering with SDS to bring that perspective to families feels like exactly the right conversation at exactly the right time."

For more information or to register, click HERE.