Matt Burgy, Head of School


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 26, 2024

Dear Oakridge Family,

As I mentioned last week, I had the opportunity to travel with our choir as they sang in Carnegie Hall. In doing so, I was fortunate enough to have multiple hours in an airport and on an airplane set aside to disconnect from technology and read. The book I chose to read, The Anxious Generationmay be one of the most impactful texts I have ever read. It is so much so that our entire faculty and staff will read this book over the summer and delve deeper into the many challenges it outlays. I encourage every one of you to do the same. 

Why? We are in the midst of a worldwide childhood epidemic, and it’s not one that nature has created…it is one that we, collectively as a society, have made to change the purpose of childhood. Like many of you, my fondest memories of childhood include riding a bike, playing tag or baseball with my neighborhood friends, and staying out until “the street lights came on.” Like many of you, I was allowed to grow and learn through these experiences. I learned independence, how to resolve conflict peacefully, and how to be responsible. We experienced a childhood where play was valued. Our children are experiencing something far different than that, where their focus is moved to a screen on a phone. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and understanding of the prevalence of anxiety and depression among our youth. The phenomenon is multifaceted and complex, influenced by many societal and social factors. The Anxious Generation, by Johnathan Heidt, delves into these complexities and offers insight into how we might collectively help our children heal. 

While I am not positing that a singular book is why we need to reassess our direction and purpose for childhood, I contend the data the text presents is compelling. I look forward to having our community dive into this topic.

With Deep Gratitude,

Matt Burgy
Head of School