Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Chesterfield County Schools
A campaign from The Balance Project - Central Virginia Region
Sign This Campaign
816
Signatures
816 of 1000 signatures
82% to goal
Every action matters
Recent supporters:
Gabrielle Alvarez 5 minutes ago
Lindsey Diffendaffer about 2 hours ago
Derek Diffendaffer about 2 hours ago
Why This Matters
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. John Murray and School Board Members,
We are writing to urge Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield County Schools to follow their example.
Our Requests
We urge Chesterfield County Schools 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 Chesterfield County Schools to act now to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.
Sincerely,
The undersigned
Sincerely,
The undersigned
Recent Supporters
-
5 minutes ago
Gabrielle Alvarez
Parent
-
about 2 hours ago
Lindsey Diffendaffer
Parent
-
about 2 hours ago
Derek Diffendaffer
Parent
816 supporters have signed this campaign
Sign This Campaign
816
Signatures
816 of 1000 signatures
82% to goal
Every action matters
Recent supporters:
Gabrielle Alvarez 5 minutes ago
Lindsey Diffendaffer about 2 hours ago
Derek Diffendaffer about 2 hours ago
Share This Campaign
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Community Impact
Families across 322 schools are joining this movement
816
Families Represented
71
Schools
PreK-12
Grade Range
| School | Grade | Count |
|---|---|---|
|
W.W. Gordon Elementary
32 total students
|
Grade K | 7 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | |
| Grade 2 | 2 | |
| Grade 3 | 3 | |
| Grade 4 | 4 | |
| Grade 5 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 6 | |
| Grade Prek | 1 | |
|
JB Watkins Elementary
126 total students
|
Grade K | 26 |
| Grade 1 | 24 | |
| Grade 2 | 23 | |
| Grade 3 | 18 | |
| Grade 4 | 9 | |
| Grade 5 | 13 | |
| Grade not listed | 8 | |
| Grade Prek | 5 | |
|
Evergreen Elementary
7 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 2 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Grange Hall Elementary
30 total students
|
Grade K | 4 |
| Grade 1 | 5 | |
| Grade 2 | 5 | |
| Grade 3 | 6 | |
| Grade 4 | 4 | |
| Grade 5 | 4 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Cosby High
21 total students
|
Grade 9 | 9 |
| Grade 10 | 4 | |
| Grade 11 | 3 | |
| Grade 12 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 4 | |
|
Alberta Smith Elementary
13 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 3 | 4 | |
| Grade 5 | 6 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Swift Creek Middle
19 total students
|
Grade 6 | 4 |
| Grade 7 | 9 | |
| Grade 8 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Robious Elementary
27 total students
|
Grade K | 3 |
| Grade 1 | 3 | |
| Grade 2 | 7 | |
| Grade 3 | 3 | |
| Grade 4 | 2 | |
| Grade 5 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 7 | |
|
Spring Run Elementary
9 total students
|
Grade PreK | 2 |
| Grade K | 1 | |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Midlothian High
24 total students
|
Grade 9 | 6 |
| Grade 10 | 5 | |
| Grade 11 | 5 | |
| Grade 12 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 6 | |
|
Midlothian Middle
54 total students
|
Grade 6 | 21 |
| Grade 7 | 18 | |
| Grade 8 | 7 | |
| Grade not listed | 8 | |
|
Matoaca High
1 total student
|
Grade 10 | 1 |
|
Tomahawk Creek Middle
18 total students
|
Grade 6 | 4 |
| Grade 7 | 6 | |
| Grade 8 | 6 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Swift Creek Elementary
56 total students
|
Grade PreK | 2 |
| Grade K | 10 | |
| Grade 1 | 4 | |
| Grade 2 | 5 | |
| Grade 3 | 9 | |
| Grade 4 | 5 | |
| Grade 5 | 8 | |
| Grade 6 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 12 | |
|
Bettie Weaver Elementary
58 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 8 | |
| Grade 1 | 7 | |
| Grade 2 | 10 | |
| Grade 3 | 10 | |
| Grade 4 | 8 | |
| Grade 5 | 4 | |
| Grade not listed | 10 | |
|
Clover Hill High
6 total students
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
| Grade 10 | 1 | |
| Grade 11 | 2 | |
| Grade 12 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies
1 total student
|
Grade 11 | 1 |
|
Robious Middle
12 total students
|
Grade 6 | 4 |
| Grade 7 | 2 | |
| Grade 8 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
Old Hundred Elementary
19 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 5 | |
| Grade 1 | 3 | |
| Grade 2 | 1 | |
| Grade 3 | 5 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Winterpock Elementary
15 total students
|
Grade K | 4 |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade 2 | 4 | |
| Grade 3 | 2 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Woolridge Elementary
48 total students
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
| Grade K | 5 | |
| Grade 1 | 8 | |
| Grade 2 | 8 | |
| Grade 3 | 8 | |
| Grade 4 | 4 | |
| Grade 5 | 6 | |
| Grade not listed | 8 | |
|
Greenfield Elementary
12 total students
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
| Grade 3 | 2 | |
| Grade 4 | 4 | |
| Grade 5 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
St. Christopher's School
1 total student
|
Grade 8 | 1 |
|
James River High
4 total students
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
| Grade 10 | 1 | |
| Grade 11 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Deep Creek Middle
22 total students
|
Grade 6 | 9 |
| Grade 7 | 6 | |
| Grade 8 | 5 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Bailey Bridge Middle
7 total students
|
Grade 6 | 3 |
| Grade 7 | 2 | |
| Grade 8 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Clover Hill Elementary
12 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade 2 | 1 | |
| Grade 3 | 2 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 5 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Moseley Elementary
24 total students
|
Grade PreK | 2 |
| Grade K | 4 | |
| Grade 1 | 8 | |
| Grade 2 | 2 | |
| Grade 3 | 4 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Matoaca Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
|
Pre-School Dev. Center
1 total student
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
|
O.B. Gates Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade K | 1 |
|
Lloyd C. Bird High
2 total students
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Salem Church Elementary
6 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 1 | |
| Grade 5 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
A.M. Davis Elementary
6 total students
|
Grade 1 | 2 |
| Grade 2 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 3 | |
|
Reams Road Elementary
6 total students
|
Grade K | 2 |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Hopkins Road Elementary
3 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Monacan High
6 total students
|
Grade 9 | 2 |
| Grade 10 | 1 | |
| Grade 12 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 2 | |
|
Falling Creek Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 3 | 1 |
|
Manchester Middle
1 total student
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
|
Crenshaw Elementary
2 total students
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Providence Elementary
8 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade 2 | 1 | |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
| Grade 4 | 3 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Bon Air Elementary
6 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 2 | |
| Grade not listed | 3 | |
|
C.C. Wells Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 3 | 1 |
|
Thomas Dale High
2 total students
|
Grade 11 | 2 |
|
North Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 2 | 1 |
|
Ettrick Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Echo Lake Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Ecoff Elementary
2 total students
|
Grade 4 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Crestwood Elementary
6 total students
|
Grade K | 5 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Elizabeth Scott Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
William Fox Elementary
3 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 1 | |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Meadowbrook High
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Millwood School
1 total student
|
Grade 8 | 1 |
|
Ridge Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 1 | 1 |
|
Elizabeth Davis Middle
1 total student
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
|
Beulah Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Manchester High
4 total students
|
Grade 10 | 3 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Providence Middle
2 total students
|
Grade 6 | 1 |
| Grade not listed | 1 | |
|
Gayton Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Bellwood Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Carver Middle
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Elizabeth Holladay Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade K | 1 |
|
Tuckahoe Middle
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
Jacobs Road Elementary
2 total students
|
Grade 2 | 1 |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
|
Salem Church Middle
1 total student
|
Grade 7 | 1 |
|
Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology
1 total student
|
Grade 9 | 1 |
|
Harrowgate Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade 4 | 1 |
|
Collegiate School
1 total student
|
Grade not listed | 1 |
|
St Edward-Epiphany School
2 total students
|
Grade K | 1 |
| Grade 3 | 1 | |
|
Nuckols Farm Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade K | 1 |
|
Linwood Holton Elementary
1 total student
|
Grade PreK | 1 |
816 supporters have signed this campaign