Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Henrico County Schools
A campaign from The Balance Project - Central Virginia Region
Sign This Campaign
900
Signatures
900 of 1500 signatures
60% to goal
Every action matters
Recent supporters:
Elizabeth Singleton 1 day ago
Brecken Eagar 2 days ago
Lynn Thomas 2 days ago
Why This Matters
* UPDATE: We reached our initial goal of 800 signatures in just 5 days!
Thank you to everyone who signed and shared the petition. The community response has been incredible. Because of the strong support, we’re raising the goal to 1,500 signatures. Thank you for being part of this effort! *
The largest school districts in the country, led by the recent resolution passed by LA Unified School District, are starting to move on classroom screen time -- setting hard grade-level limits, blocking YouTube and gaming platforms on school devices, eliminating devices for the youngest students, and requiring weekly screen reports to parents.
This isn't happening because administrators woke up and decided to act. It's happening because parents organized, showed up, and made it impossible to ignore.
Your school board has the same authority right now. They do not need to wait for state guidance or federal standards. Dozens of districts have already acted. What they need to hear is that their own community is paying attention and expects them to lead.
This petition gives them exactly that signal. The letter is based on real resolutions that have already passed -- the same structure, the same core asks, adapted so any community can put it in front of their board. It takes about three minutes to set up and a few shares to gain momentum.
Your board gets a concrete ask from real families in their district. That's the whole mechanism. It works.
Dear Dr. Amy Cashwell and School Board Members,
We are writing to urge Henrico County Schools to take bold action on the growing crisis of excessive screen time in our schools.
Research from Common Sense Media found that teens spend an average of nearly nine hours per day using entertainment media outside of schoolwork, while tweens average about six hours. Rather than counterbalancing this trend, many districts have unintentionally compounded it through unchecked use of classroom devices, 1:1 device programs, and EdTech platforms with little accountability. The American Academy of Pediatrics has linked excessive screen time to vision problems, anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, and lower academic achievement. This is not a future risk. It is happening to our children now.
We were encouraged to see Los Angeles Unified School District -- the second-largest school district in the nation -- pass a landmark resolution in early 2026 committing to a formal Screen Time Policy with specific, enforceable limits. LAUSD's leadership demonstrates that districts of any size can take meaningful action. We are asking Henrico County to follow their example.
Our Requests
We urge Henrico County to adopt a comprehensive screen time policy that includes the following:
1. Eliminate devices for the youngest students. Remove digital devices from early education through 2nd grade classrooms, except where required for mandated assessments. Children at this stage of development need hands-on, in-person learning experiences above all else.
2. Set specific, enforceable screen time limits by grade level. Establish clear daily and weekly maximums for student screen use on district devices, with less screen time for younger students. Screen time should be prioritized only when it provides educational value that cannot be replicated offline.
3. Reduce 1:1 device programs in elementary school. Transition to shared laptop carts and computer labs for grades 3-5. Research on 1:1 device programs in elementary school has produced mixed results, while concerns continue to grow about excessive cumulative screen exposure for young children.
4. Block non-educational platforms on district devices. Prohibit student access to YouTube, social media, and non-instructional gaming platforms like Roblox during the school day. Teachers may retain the ability to use appropriate video content for instruction, but unrestricted or unsupervised student access creates unnecessary distractions and risks.
5. Ban device use during unstructured time. Prohibit device use during passing periods, lunch, and recess for elementary and middle school students. These moments of unstructured time are critical for social development and should not be dominated by screens.
6. Provide parents with transparency and meaningful opt-out rights. Share weekly reports on children's screen activity on district devices. Allow families to opt out of specific EdTech programs -- not just blanket consent forms -- and ensure alternative learning methods are always available.
7. Encourage paper, physical textbooks, and off-screen homework. Many studies have found stronger comprehension and retention with print materials, and research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has raised concerns about screen-based reading for young children and its association with weaker language and literacy outcomes. Policies should actively encourage analog alternatives, especially for homework at the elementary and middle school level.
8. Evaluate all EdTech contracts for educational value and student data privacy. Require independent review of EdTech products. Do not rely solely on vendor-supplied research. Ensure student data is protected and that contracts include accountability mechanisms.
A growing body of research and public concern points to the need for more intentional technology use in schools. LAUSD has shown it can be done. We respectfully urge Henrico County to act now to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.
Sincerely,
The undersigned
Sincerely,
The undersigned
Recent Supporters
-
1 day ago
Elizabeth Singleton
Parent
-
2 days ago
Brecken Eagar
Parent
-
2 days ago
Lynn Thomas
Grandparent
900 supporters have signed this campaign
Sign This Campaign
900
Signatures
900 of 1500 signatures
60% to goal
Every action matters
Recent supporters:
Elizabeth Singleton 1 day ago
Brecken Eagar 2 days ago
Lynn Thomas 2 days ago
Share This Campaign
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Community Impact
Families across 321 schools are joining this movement
900
Families Represented
52
Schools
PreK-12
Grade Range
| School | Grade | Count |
|---|---|---|
|
Echo Lake Elementary
18 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade 2 | 4 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 9 | |
|
Maybeury Elementary
80 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 10 | |
| Grade 1 | 11 | |
| Grade 2 | 22 | |
| Grade 3 | 12 | |
| Grade 4 | 13 | |
| Grade 5 | 6 | |
| Grade not listed | 5 | |
|
Tuckahoe Elementary
173 total students
|
Grade PreK | 2 |
| Grade K | 23 | |
| Grade 1 | 32 | |
| Grade 2 | 28 | |
| Grade 3 | 21 | |
| Grade 4 | 18 | |
| Grade 5 | 13 | |
| Grade not listed | 36 | |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes School
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Pemberton Elementary
30 total students
|
Grade K | 8 |
| Grade 1 | 3 | |
| Grade 2 | 6 | |
| Grade 3 | 4 | |
| Grade 4 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 6 | |
|
Gayton Elementary
80 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 11 | |
| Grade 1 | 13 | |
| Grade 2 | 14 | |
| Grade 3 | 10 | |
| Grade 4 | 8 | |
| Grade 5 | 9 | |
| Grade not listed | 14 | |
|
Pinchbeck Elementary
35 total students
|
Grade K | 3 |
| Grade 1 | 4 | |
| Grade 2 | 8 | |
| Grade 3 | 7 | |
| Grade 4 | 6 | |
| Grade 5 | 4 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Rivers Edge Elementary
2 total students
|
Grade 1 | 2 |
|
Tuckahoe Middle
81 total students
|
Grade 6 | 28 |
| Grade 7 | 26 | |
| Grade 8 | 14 | |
| Grade not listed | 13 | |
|
Shady Grove Elementary
17 total students
|
Grade K | 5 |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade 2 | 5 | |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Jackson Davis Elementary
58 total students
|
Grade K | 11 |
| Grade 1 | 10 | |
| Grade 2 | 9 | |
| Grade 3 | 12 | |
| Grade 4 | 7 | |
| Grade 5 | 6 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Glen Allen High
10 total students
|
Grade 9 | 3 |
| Grade 10 | 2 | |
| Grade 11 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Three Chopt Elementary
4 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
|
Quioccasin Middle
19 total students
|
Grade 6 | 11 |
| Grade 7 | 1 | |
| Grade 8 | 4 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Douglas S. Freeman High
29 total students
|
Grade 9 | 9 |
| Grade 10 | 8 | |
| Grade 11 | 3 | |
| Grade 12 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 6 | |
|
Twin Hickory Elementary
9 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade 2 | 2 | |
| Grade 3 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Springfield Park Elementary
4 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Pocahontas Middle
46 total students
|
Grade 6 | 14 |
| Grade 7 | 17 | |
| Grade 8 | 5 | |
| Grade not listed | 10 | |
|
George H. Moody Middle
4 total students
|
Grade 6 | 2 |
| Grade 7 | 1 | |
| Grade 8 | 1 | |
|
Glen Allen Elementary
26 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 7 | |
| Grade 1 | 3 | |
| Grade 2 | 2 | |
| Grade 3 | 2 | |
| Grade 4 | 4 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 6 | |
|
Mills E. Godwin High
20 total students
|
Grade 9 | 12 |
| Grade 10 | 3 | |
| Grade 11 | 4 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Nuckols Farm Elementary
33 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 12 | |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade 2 | 2 | |
| Grade 3 | 6 | |
| Grade 4 | 3 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 7 | |
|
Short Pump Middle
7 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 6 | 1 | |
| Grade 7 | 3 | |
| Grade 8 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Skipwith Elementary
2 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
|
Short Pump Elementary
19 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade 2 | 3 | |
| Grade 3 | 3 | |
| Grade 4 | 2 | |
| Grade 5 | 2 | |
| Grade 7 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 4 | |
|
Colonial Trail Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
|
Crestview Elementary
6 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade 2 | 1 | |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Ridge Elementary
7 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 4 | |
|
Collegiate School
3 total students
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
|
Ruby F. Carver Elementary
25 total students
|
Grade K | 12 |
| Grade 1 | 4 | |
| Grade 3 | 2 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 5 | |
|
Deep Run High
2 total students
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Tussing Elementary
4 total students
|
Grade 2 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Hungary Creek Middle
4 total students
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
| Grade 8 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Lakeside Elementary
2 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Maude Trevvett Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 5 | 1 |
|
Henrico High
1 total student
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
|
Holman Middle
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
St. Catherine's School
1 total student
|
Grade 5 | 1 |
|
St. Christopher's School
1 total student
|
Grade 3 | 1 |
|
Hermitage High
2 total students
|
Grade 10 | 2 |
|
Robious Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 5 | 1 |
|
John Randolph Tucker High
3 total students
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
| Grade 10 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
David A. Kaechele Elementary School
2 total students
|
Grade 4 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Highland Springs Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
|
Albert Hill Middle
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Greenwood Elementary (Chesterfield)
2 total students
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Greenwood Elementary (Henrico)
3 total students
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
L. Douglas Wilder Middle
3 total students
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
| Grade 8 | 2 | |
|
Brookland Middle
1 total student
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
|
Dumbarton Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 4 | 1 |
|
Fairfield Middle
1 total student
|
Grade 8 | 1 |
|
Pocahontas Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
900 supporters have signed this campaign