Richardson ISD will limit classroom screen time under new policy

Richardson ISD has a new policy in place to limit screen time during the school day.Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the district’s new passive screen time policy means students will have less time on screens and more time putting pen to paper.There will be no more screen time rewards for good behavior or during recess.The time limit on devices for students in pre-K and kindergarten is 10 to 15 minutes in a single session.First through fourth graders can be on school-issued screens for 15 to 20 minutes in chunks. Fifth and sixth graders can have 20 to 30 minutes also spread across the day. And then seventh through twelve graders will get 15 to 20 minutes per class period.The district’s YouTube ban will also extend to secondary campuses this year.Superintendent Branum is hoping to make new students feel welcome despite the change. She recently went house to house, knocking on doors of students new to the district to say hi and drop off a sign that reads, "RISD is the one for us!"She b