Book Spotlight: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt | Chapter 1 Summary 

In Chapter 1 of The Anxious Generation, titled "The Surge of Suffering," Jonathan Haidt introduces the alarming rise in mental health issues among adolescents that began around 2010–2015. He describes this period as the "Great Rewiring of Childhood," when smartphones and constant access to social media, online video games, and internet activities transformed daily life for teens—particularly those born after 1995, whom he calls the anxious generation. 

Haidt opens with vivid parental anecdotes illustrating household conflicts over screen time. Many families report endless battles about phone usage, with children exhibiting withdrawal, irritability, depression, and even threats of self-harm when devices are restricted. One poignant example involves a Boston mother whose daughter thrived—becoming more engaged and cheerful—during a phone-free summer camp, only to revert to agitation and gloom upon reclaiming her smartphone. These stories highlight parents' sense of helplessness as they watch their children seemingly lose essential aspects of real-world life to digital immersion. 

The chapter then presents data showing a sharp, international increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide rates among teens starting in the early 2010s. Haidt emphasizes that this surge coincides precisely with the widespread adoption of smartphones (post-2007 iPhone era) and high-speed internet, rather than earlier factors like economic shifts or overprotective parenting alone. He argues that while previous generations faced challenges, the sudden shift to a phone-based childhood explains the unprecedented epidemic of suffering. 

Haidt concludes the chapter with a bullet-point summary reinforcing his core thesis: the move of social lives onto smartphones between 2010 and 2015, combined with underprotection in the virtual world and overprotection in the real one, has rewired youth development in harmful ways. This sets the stage for the book's deeper exploration of causes and solutions. 

Spring Break 

Spring Break is next week, and the school will be closed from March 23–27. We hope all of our students and families enjoy a safe, restful, and fun break. 

School will reopen on Monday, March 30. 

Have a wonderful Spring Break!  

Parent Teacher Interviews | March 19 & 20, 2026   

Please see the chart below for information on Parent Teacher Interviews coming up in March.   

Beginning now, families will be able to book a time for their interview through their MyCBE account where you can select Book and Manage Meeting Times. More information on how to book an appointment can be found here.  

Families requiring an interpreter will be contacted by one at their appointment time to assist in the communication during the meeting.   

Key Dates 

Recurring Messages 

Beddington Heights School is on Instagram | Follow us: @beddingtonheightsschoolcbe 

Fun Lunch | Coco Brooks 

Our next Fun Lunch will be COCO Brooks on March 19^th. The ordering deadline is March 14^th. Orders can be placed at HealthyHunger.ca. Thanks to generous donations from BHS families, we were able to provide 6 lucky students with a free fun lunch from Coco Brooks this month! Thank you to all who contributed to this cause! If your child is absent on Fun Lunch day, their lunch will be kept in the office until 3:00 p.m. for pick-up. After that time, it will be discarded to meet health and safety guidelines and due to limited storage space. 

Popcorn Sales | Delivered Every Thursday 

Parent Association sells popcorn for students, which will be distributed each Thursday. All proceeds will support BHS families in need during the Winter Break/Christmas season. Popcorn orders will be made through HealthyHunger.ca. The ordering deadline for each week is Saturday. 

Water Only School | Reminder 

Beddington Heights is a water‑only school. Pop and other sugary drinks create unnecessary messes and do not support students with regulation and readiness for learning. Please ensure your child brings only water to school. Thank you for your support.  

Student Fees 

The unpaid 2024-25 lunch supervision and transportation fees will be sent to collections in February/March 2026; Families can avoid having their account sent to collections by: 

Paying their 2024–25 central fees in full, or applying, and being approved, for a 2024–25 Central Fee Waiver. Please contact FeeWaiver@cbe.ab.ca directly for more information.  

Request a Payment Plan by contacting StudentFees@cbe.ab.ca . A payment plan requires a signed commitment to pay a minimum of $20 per month toward 2024–25 central fees. 

Lost and Found | Donated March 19 

Please take a moment to check our Lost and Found for any items your child may be missing over the next couple of weeks. We have accumulated quite a collection, and we want to ensure everything finds its way home. Any unclaimed items remaining at 8 pm on March 19 will be donated. Thank you for helping us keep our school tidy and ensuring belongings are returned to their owners. 

FlipGive Fundraiser  

Support Beddington Heights School all year long through FlipGive — an easy, free way to raise money just by shopping for things you already buy! 

Our school earns cash back whenever families shop for groceries, gas, dining out, or online purchases from hundreds of popular retailers. 

Join our team here: Beddington Heights FlipGive 

Every purchase helps support our school families. 

 Dates of Significance 

Irish Heritage Month – March 

March is Irish Heritage Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Irish Canadians. Throughout the month, communities recognize traditions, music, storytelling, and the lasting impact of Irish heritage across the country. 

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2026 

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish heritage and culture. Many people wear green, enjoy traditional music, and learn about the history of Ireland and the contributions of Irish communities around the world. (Alberta.ca) 

Navroz (Nowruz) – March 19, 2026 

Navroz, also called Nowruz, marks the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. It is celebrated by many cultures with special meals, family gatherings, and traditions that symbolize renewal, hope, and new beginnings.  

Spring Equinox – March 20, 2026 

The Spring Equinox is the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Day and night are nearly equal in length, and the event represents balance, seasonal change, and the beginning of longer, brighter days.  

Eid-al-Fitr – March 20, 2026 

Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Families and friends gather for prayers, meals, and acts of charity, celebrating gratitude, generosity, and community after a month of reflection and devotion.  

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 21, 2026 

This day promotes equality and respect for all people. It encourages communities to stand against racism and discrimination, and to work together to build a fair, inclusive, and welcoming society for everyone. 

World Down Syndrome Day – March 21, 2026 

World Down Syndrome Day raises awareness and celebrates people with Down syndrome. The day highlights inclusion, acceptance, and the importance of ensuring that all individuals have opportunities to learn, participate, and belong in their communities.