Mission Bay School Petition for Intentional Classroom Technology

Dear Principal Benitez,

We are part of Tech in Check San Francisco, a coalition of parents, educators and community members advocating for intentional technology and bell-to-bell device policies in TK-12 schools. 

We support educators and the American Federation of Teachers’ recent recommendations of no screens for grades TK–2 and advising against using AI in elementary school classrooms. We recognize the mounting evidence that overuse of screens, and increased edtech products, in schools can negatively impact student learning and academic outcomes, raise exposure to inappropriate content, promote digital distraction and fragmented attention, and infringe on privacy rights. We are committed to collaborating with the district and school sites on solutions.

On April 21, the LAUSD School Board approved the “Using Technology with Intention” resolution, which begins a process to create a comprehensive tech policy for 2026–2027. Highlights include:

We are thrilled with the news of this resolution and hope the SFUSD Board of Education makes the same commitment to San Francisco students. While the Board of Education considers next steps, we would like to work with Mission Bay School to begin framing intentional technology as a school wide value. 

We are not anti-technology–rather, we support introducing school technology in developmentally appropriate ways, rooted in independent, evidence-based research, and focused on enhancing students’ critical thinking and understanding of technology education (how to use technology vs. technology using us). Technology should serve learning, never drive it. Let’s create academic environments where students thrive, ensuring equity is at the forefront of decision making and adoption of edtech products and digital platforms. We know at home screen media use has increased within all demographics, and children from lower-income housedholds are spening nearly twice as much time with screens compared to those from higher income households (3:48 vs. 1:52). This means asking one simple question before introducing any technology– Does this new intervention genuinely improve on what a pencil, book, discussion, or hands-on activity can already do? If the answer is unclear, a screen-free approach should take priority.

We specifically, request consideration of the following:

1. Instituting school wide Bell-to-Bell Away-for-the-Day Device Policies 

A policy with absolute clarity and simple enforcement will reduce distractions, support consistent expectations for students and staff, and increase social emotional growth and student relationships with peers and teachers. The team at Tech in Check found an awesome administrator toolkit available fromPhone-Free Schools. The toolkit includes model policies, implementation guides, research summaries, communication tools, and pushback response scripts. Using a 2-3 month roll out process, Mission Bay School could be device free when school returns after summer break. Mission Bay School could be a leader in centering face-to-face student relationships and attention in school!
 

2. Reducing Unnecessary Screen Exposure: 

3. Minimizing the use of non-essential videos and recreational screen time: 

4. Implementing an opt-out of edtech and offering off-screen alternatives: 

5. Eliminating AI use for students: 

6. Prioritizing a Screen-Free First Mindset:

We know implementing these changes will require effort from administrators and teachers. We want to support you and staff in any way needed to implement policies and expectations which set up learning environments where students thrive. Please let us know how we can help.

We believe there is a tremendous opportunity for Mission Bay School’s teachers and parents to collaborate on creating and implementing intentional technology and bell-to-bell device policies, and staying at the forefront of pedagogy which centers students and limits unproven edtech products (marketed as educational) in our school. 

We would like to meet with you before the next school year to discuss how we can work together to address these concerns and help ensure Mission Bay School is bravely embracing the growing cultural shift towards intentional technology in TK-12 classrooms. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these ideas. Thank you for your consideration and for all you do for Mission Bay School.

Sincerely,  

Mission Bay School Parents and Community Members