SEND TO your child’s school teacher

Dear [Teacher Name],

I am the parent of [your child’s name], and I am seeking your support for District 97 to re-evaluate screen use, misuse, and overuse in our schools. I have been very concerned about the negative effects of tech usage in D97 classrooms and the safety failures of our District’s out-of-date tech policies. I know our teachers need much better support in this area, with more than just iPad management. The proliferation of smartphones and unlocked smartwatches even in early elementary school makes the learning environment even more distracting for teachers and students alike. I know there is more we can do to keep our children safe.

It is essential that we implement best practices for tech usage, not only at home, but also at school. As parents, the responsibility of teaching our children healthy digital habits rests on us. Since children spend 7 hours per day at school, digital health must also be a focus in the classroom as well. In the current digital age, I recognize that technology is integrated in and integral to everyday life, and I support the thoughtful, intentional use of technology in the classroom. 

In that spirit, please consider implementing these steps to promote best practices in your classroom. Following these policies will allow our children to develop sustained, focused attention spans and limit the harmful effects of too much technology use:

• use tablets and apps solely for educational/curricular objectives

• set and adhere to daily screen-time limits for each course subject

• prioritize pen and paper-based work and use of BOOKS over digital curricular work, as well as other forms of tactile real world learning

• implement a screen-free policy for free-time, indoor recess, and PBIS rewards

• refrain from allowing non-curricular apps (like Prodigy and Epic) or “educational” games like Gimkit

• utilize a lab-based model for tech devices in which devices are stored away in a designated area and are only accessed by students during specified curricular times for specific tasks. Students should not have open access to devices

• limit non-educational movies or videos in the classroom to be a rare group activity reserved for special occasions (not on personal devices)

• share a clear tech-usage policy with your students so they know how to stay on task and what apps, platforms and programs are permitted when using their devices for classroom schoolwork (and which ones aren’t)

• keep school-issued devices in the classroom unless parents request for devices to be brought home

• communicate expectations and policies with parents, and share with them how to use resources to help monitor student tech usage (like Securly or iPad settings) and promote transparency in how much screen time is allowed per subject per day in your classroom
  

I recognize that educators have a lot on their plates these days, and I do not wish to add to that burden. I do hope I can support the work you do in your classroom.  I am committed to ensuring our children learn skills that foster digital health and benefit from tech usage while mitigating the harms of overuse. If there are ways that I can help, please let me know. If you would like to discuss any ideas further, I would love to be a part of the conversation and the solution.

Respectfully,

[your name]