Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center

08/21/2026

“There is research telling us that more hours per day spent on screens is linked to lower psychological well-being, in a way that presents in executive functioning skills as well as social/emotional development. Connections between lower self control, more distractibility, less emotional stability, difficulty making friends, and inability to finish tasks are all depicted.

There is research telling us that increased time spent with digital media in teenagers associated with higher odds of symptoms of ADHD. This may show up as some of they symptoms of too much screen time.

There are reports of increased mental health concerns and mental well-being. There are findings on the overall functioning of the brain that looks like distractibility, frustration, moodiness, and irritability.

You may have heard of the blue light emitted by personal electronic devices. Because children’s eyes absorb less short-wavelength light, more blue light reaches a child’s retina. Children, therefore, may be at higher risk for blue light retinal damage than adults. Blue light emitted from smartphones, tablets, and personal computers before bedtime can delay sleep onset, degrade sleep quality and impair alertness the following day. Limiting those devices before bedtime not only address sleep issues, but can help with overall wellness.

Our teenagers are impacted as well. Hours spent on screens leads to less sleep adequacy, which impacts learning, well-being, and development. Less adequate sleep impacts learning and cognitive skill-building. This occurs right during the age that social-emotional skills develop, executive functioning skill development is occurring, and communication skills are set to develop.

There is research revealing that brain scans of children who spend more than 7 hours per day on screens show premature cortical thinning of the brain. This is especially significant for our young children who often times, hold phones right up to their face, in a slouched position....”

And so much more! Read more about this research here: https://www.theottoolbox.com/research-on-screen-time-for-kids/

08/21/2026

🎉 Thank You, Families! 🎉

What an incredible week at Paul J Blackwell Learning Center! We were thrilled to welcome over 60 visitors who joined their Pre-K students for lunch this week.

We loved seeing:
🥪 Meaningful conversations and quality time together
🎂 Even a few birthday celebrations!
😊 Smiles all around the cafeteria

Thank you to our amazing parents and families for taking time out of your day to share a meal with your child — those moments mean so much!

And a huge shoutout to our wonderful cafeteria staff for serving up delicious meals our students (and visitors!) enjoy.

We can't wait to see more of you next week! 🍎🥰



Elbert County School District
Elbert County School Nutrition

08/21/2026

Did you know Pre-K has its very own Bobcat Community? 🐾 Our little Bobcats get to pretend, play, and work together as community helpers — learning to help one another while discovering how the wonderful people in our community make a difference every day!

Elbert County School District

08/20/2026

Hi families!

As we work to keep our arrival and dismissal running smoothly and safely, we're asking for your help with two things:

Please avoid arriving at the school at 2:00 PM for last-minute pickups. Unscheduled pickups late in the day create safety concerns and make it difficult for staff to supervise dismissal properly. If a change comes up, please connect with the office before that time so we can support you.

Transportation changes must be submitted in writing by 12:00 PM (noon). Whether it's a bus change, pickup person, or dismissal plan, having it in writing by noon gives our team the time we need to update records and get the message to the right people before the school day winds down.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep every child safe from the first bell to the last. We appreciate your flexibility and your support!

Send a message to learn more

08/19/2026

Give kids the words for their big feelings

08/18/2026

Sometimes the behaviors that push us away are actually the behaviors asking us to come closer. ❤️

A child who suddenly follows you everywhere, interrupts constantly, asks you to watch every little thing, struggles more at bedtime, pushes boundaries, or melts down over something seemingly small isn’t necessarily trying to make your day harder.

Sometimes their behavior is communicating something they don’t yet have the words or self-awareness to explain: “I need more of you right now.”

Children often communicate through behavior before they can communicate clearly through words. When their need for connection feels bigger, we may see it show up as clinginess, attention-seeking, emotional intensity, resistance, or behavior that looks like defiance.

That doesn’t mean every difficult behavior should be ignored or that boundaries disappear; it means we can get curious about what is underneath the behavior while still holding the boundary.

And sometimes the answer is surprisingly simple… A few minutes of undivided attention, getting down on their level, inviting them to help with what you’re doing, offering affection, playing together, or slowing down long enough to really listen can help fill that need for connection.

The shift is learning to ask ourselves, “What is my child be trying to communicate to me right now?” instead of immediately assuming, “Why are they behaving like this?”

Because when we learn to see behavior as communication, we don’t just become better at responding to our children, we become better at understanding them. 💗

08/18/2026

Confidence is not something you either “have” or “don’t have.”

It grows every time you keep a small promise to yourself. Every time you speak up once, try before you feel ready, set a boundary, or remind yourself that one mistake does not define you.

Self-doubt can sound convincing. It tells people they are behind, not good enough, too quiet, too awkward, or likely to fail. But confidence is rarely built by waiting for that voice to disappear. It is built by taking one manageable step while it is still there.

For a child, teen or adult, that step might be asking a question, applying for something, joining in, saying no, practising beforehand, or simply replacing “I can’t do this” with “I can try one part.”

You do not need to become fearless to become more confident. You only need to stop letting fear make every decision.

FREE CONFIDENCE WHEEL PDF FOR SELF-TRUST AND SELF-DOUBT

LIKE the photo and comment "CONFIDENT" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

08/17/2026

Please do not arrive at the school at 2:00 PM requesting last-minute pickup or transportation changes. The end of the day is a critical transition period, and late changes create safety risks for our students.

08/17/2026

Pre-K Parents, Mark your calendars,
Fall Picture Day is Friday Sept. 4th, 2026

08/17/2026

Self esteem for kids: https://www.theottoolbox.com/kids-positive-self-talk/