Press release: Tuchman Family Foundation expands leadership in Colorado’s phone-free schools movement
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Amy Fletcher Faircloth
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Press release: Tuchman Family Foundation expands leadership in Colorado’s phone-free schools movement
Foundation continues to advocate for bell-to-bell phone-free schools, partners with statewide organizations to help schools successfully create healthier learning environments
DENVER, CO — The Tuchman Family Foundation is expanding its leadership to advance phone-free schools and help Colorado districts successfully implement policies that support student learning, connection and well-being.
The Tuchman Family Foundation is providing financial support to Healthier Colorado and Stand for Children Colorado while also working directly alongside those organizations and other partners to advance effective bell-to-bell phone-free policies. Together, they are engaging with district leaders and school communities, while helping educators, families and school leaders navigate policy adoption and implementation as districts across Colorado comply with new state requirements.
“Districts in Colorado who have adopted bell-to-bell policies should be proud of their efforts to create environments where students can focus, build relationships and fully participate in learning,” said Debra Tuchman, co-founder of the Tuchman Family Foundation. “We hope their successes will inspire additional districts across Colorado to adopt bell-to-bell policies in the coming year. Clear communication, consistent enforcement and strong support for educators, students and families will be essential to successfully implementing these policies.”
Schools play a critical role in children’s development, reaching more than 95% of young people during some of the most formative years of their lives. By creating healthier learning environments, schools can return to helping students develop the relationships, habits and skills that contribute to academic success and lifelong well-being.
Nearly half of teens report being online almost constantly, illustrating the challenge facing students, families and educators. Research, public opinion and the experiences of schools that have adopted phone-free policies are strengthening the case for a bell-to-bell approach:
- Students receive a median of hundreds of notifications on their phones each day, contributing to constant distraction and fragmented attention.
- Colorado polling shows strong bi-partisan support for phone-free schools.
- Schools implementing bell-to-bell phone-free policies are reporting stronger classroom engagement, improved peer interaction, and fewer disruptions.
- States and districts across the nation have successfully implemented bell-to-bell phone-free school policies, providing effective models for Colorado districts to follow.
“We are grateful for the Tuchman Family Foundation’s leadership and partnership in this effort,” said Joshua Ewing, executive director of Healthier Colorado. “By coordinating public education, community engagement and implementation support, we can help districts adopt policies that work in practice and give students more opportunities to focus, connect and thrive.”
The work builds on growing momentum in Colorado and nationally to reconsider the role of smartphones during childhood and adolescence. Districts across the state have adopted or are considering bell-to-bell policies that require students to keep their phones put away throughout the school day, including during lunch and passing periods.
The initial focus on phone-free schools is part of an evolving effort to help children develop healthier relationships with technology and to support learning environments that prioritize meaningful human connection.
“Communities across the country are asking important questions about how technology is shaping childhood,” Tuchman said. “Colorado has an opportunity to create school environments free from digital distractions, where students can focus on learning, friendships and the world around them.”
About the Tuchman Family Foundation
Based in Colorado, the Tuchman Family Foundation embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of its founders, Kenneth and Debra Tuchman, in its efforts to help people build safe, healthy, and productive lives. The foundation is committed to advancing K-12 education innovation, breakthrough medical research, positive social change, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.
