As of April 2026, Batavia Public School District 101 has no time restrictions in place for student Chromebook usage.  This petition is directed toward the School Board and the District Administration. 

Please sign if you agree AND are a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a BPS 101 student. 

The Issue:

BPS 101’s growing reliance on Chromebooks and screen-based applications has negative consequences on educational excellence, online student safety, and student development and behavior.  

We, Distraction-Free Batavia, are advocating to improve the way technology and screens are used in our schools.  

Our Asks*:

Block YouTube on all student devices
No Chromebook use during recess
No Chromebook device will be used as a reward
Set time limits on Chromebook use per day according to grade level
No Chromebook use during specials
Bell to bell phone ban in elementary, middle and high school 
All homework should be printable and offline

*These requests do not apply to students with IEP or 504 plans requiring the use of technology as an assistive device. 

Reasoning:

While technology is important to the current educational system, BPS 101 is not taking into account the research on how it is impacting our children.  If there is no data showing that the technology is helping our children learn, we need to reevaluate it being present in our schools.

Growing evidence shows most students benefit from greater emphasis on direct, hands-on learning.  In addition, there is increasing understanding of the harm to kids when screen-based activities are emphasized.  
Studies show prolonged access to screens is linked to:

Changes in children’s brain development and eyesight
Reduced ability to concentrate and retain information
Reduced critical thinking and emotional intelligence
Increased anxiety

We hope these changes will lead to more responsible integration of technology in our schools.  Please join us in advocating for these changes by signing this petition and speaking with friends, family and neighbors regarding your ideas about technology use in schools.

Want to help?

Take our survey to help us better understand some of the issues our community is facing with technology in schools: Click here to take the survey.

Educate yourself on the research. Check it out here: Research on Tech in Schools

Join our team! We are parents who want to make  a change to improve schools for our kids. Email us to support our advocacy distractionfreeBAT@gmail.com