Gibbons Unplugged is a newer addition to the Gibbons experience. The goal is to allow students to have a chance to take a break from their phones with a fun, phone free day.

Unplugged is meant to be a “breath of fresh air” or a break from being online. With the chaos of school, sports, and other activities, it is relaxing to have a day to just hang out with others with no distractions. 

“Often when students return from retreats, service days, or other phone-free experiences, they comment on how nice it was to have a break from the constant notifications and pressures to be constantly available,” Mrs. Paige Derouin, Dean of Students, said.

Gibbons Unplugged Previously

Last year, Gibbons hosted an Unplugged pilot program in the spring to see how the campus would feel without phones. Overall, more than 300 students participated, and the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. 

This year, students who participate will get house points towards the dress down week, and possibly more to come. Ms. Derouin said more reward options are being discussed.

How Phones Can Impact Teens

Ongoing research shows that phones can have a negative impact on teens in productivity and mental health. 

By going phone free for a day, students have an opportunity for real face-to-face connection and collaboration that doesn’t exist when phones are available.

When Will Gibbons Unplugged be?

Gibbons Unplugged is aiming to happen twice a semester this year. Students who participate in Unplugged earn points for their house which can lead to their respective house winning one week of dress down. 

“I hope people know that the points and the dressing down aren’t the real benefits of participating,” Derouin said. “The real incentive is for a whole friend group to do it and grow a  better connection throughout the day. Imagine a lunch group where no one is on their phones, and everyone is talking about something funny. Imagine a class where no one is distracted by tons of notifications that are just blank snaps to keep streaks. … That would be the real gift.”