Join parents and caregivers of La Crosse School District in encouraging the District to re-evaluate the role of technology in our classrooms.

New research shows us that the use of screen-based technology in classrooms has a negative effect on cognition, memory, focus, eye health, relationships, and mental health. 

THE ASKS:

The following are potential requests of the District for the upcoming school year, or ASAP. This is not an all-inclusive or prescriptive list, but a starting place for our conversation with the Superintendent. Please comment (courteously) below if you agree or if you think anything is missing:

• Ad-Free Classrooms -  YouTube an other videos displayed by the teacher, and EdTech apps should be free of ads.
• Screen-Free Free Time - No screens during free-choice, indoor recess, lunch bunch or brain breaks. 
• Screen-Free Celebrations and Rewards - Instead of a movie or virtual games as a celebration or reward, offer extra recess, board games, dance parties or other scree-free activities.
• Analogue Educational Tools -  Prioritize non-screen-based versions of curricular, supplemental, and differentiated education.*
• Educational-only Digital Tools - Remove all non-educational applications on school issued iPads.
• Tech Ed, not EdTech - Teach tech skills such as typing, mouseing and safe searching, rather than teaching subjects like math and social studies on a device.

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

We, the undersigned parents/guardians of students in the La Crosse School District, respectfully request that the District re-evaluate the role of technology in the classroom in light of new data disclosing the impacts of screens on memory, focus, cognition and mental health.