Schools Beyond Screens - Chicago CPS
Take Action Now
Published Sep 03, 2026
Join Schools Beyond Screens Chicago At The September CPS Board Meetings
We've built something powerful together: over 1,000 Chicago parents and educators (and counting), all saying the same thing, that our kids need real limits on screen time at school. Now it's time to bring that parent voice directly to the CPS Board of Education.
We're asking the Board to do one thing: take up a resolution to consider a real, intentional technology policy for CPS. Board members need to hear, directly from parents and community members, that this isn't a fringe concern. It's a shared concern among the families they represent.
We know not everyone is comfortable speaking in public, and not everyone is free during the morning hours for a board meeting. So we're offering two ways to help, pick whichever fits you.
NOTE: You can only sign up for one meeting, CPS rules prevent speaking at back-to-back meetings
Ready to take action?
Sign up to give public comment (in-person or virtually) or just support as an observer attendee. Once you sign up, we'll offer resources and support. NOTE: You will need to officially sign up for public comment, the registration period is a 24 hour window: 9/22 @ 10:30AM - 9/23 @ 10:30AM. Details in the Event page.
Sample Written Testimony and Public Comment
Can also be adapted and read aloud as a public comment
Simple Written Testimony Sample
A basic version. This works well, short and to the point.
Public Speaking Sample: CPS Parent at Jul 20, 2026 Board Meeting
One of our very own parents gave an amazing comment at the Jul 20 board meeting.
Illustrated Guide to Participating in Board Meetings
In addition to this guide, our team is here to help you prepare!
Sample Public Comment (short)
Action TemplateMy name is [NAME], and I'm a parent of [NUMBER] children at [SCHOOL NAME]. I'm here today as part of a growing group of CPS parents asking the Board to take a serious look at how screens and devices are being used in our classrooms.
[OPTIONAL: Share a short personal observation here, something you've noticed about your child's attention, sleep, mood, or homework habits, or something a teacher has shared with you.]
Children in America already spend hours a day on screens outside of school. The research on this is not new or fringe. It's the American Academy of Pediatrics. It's UNESCO. It's what pediatricians and school leaders across the country are increasingly acting on.
Other major districts, including Los Angeles Unified, have already adopted formal screen time policies. Chicago families are ready to ask CPS to do the same.
We're not asking the Board to eliminate technology from our schools. We're asking for intention: age-appropriate limits, device-free time for play and connection, transparency for families, and real scrutiny of the EdTech tools our children use every day.
I'm asking this Board to formally take up a resolution to consider a comprehensive, intentional technology policy for CPS. Our petition, signed by [NUMBER] parents so far, lays out a starting point.
Thank you for your time and for hearing us.
Sample Written Comment
Action TemplateDear Members of the CPS Board of Education,I'm writing as a parent of a child at [SCHOOL NAME] to add my voice to the growing number of CPS families asking the Board to take up a resolution considering a comprehensive, intentional technology policy for our schools.Excessive screen time has been linked by the American Academy of Pediatrics to concerns around attention, mood, sleep, and academic performance. Other major districts, including Los Angeles Unified, have already adopted formal screen time limits. We believe Chicago families deserve the same thoughtful approach.I support the requests outlined in the Schools Beyond Screens petition, including age-appropriate device limits, protected device-free time during the school day, greater transparency for families, and independent review of EdTech contracts for educational value and student data privacy.I respectfully ask the Board to take up a resolution to formally consider a comprehensive technology policy for CPS.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely, [NAME] [SCHOOL / CHILD'S GRADE]
Why This Action Matters
Two Ways to Help Move Our Petition Forward
We're convening a group to join us at the September CPS Board meetings to speak on our experiences with technology in the classroom. Sign up for one of the next board meetings below, and we'll contact you to guide you. This might sound intimidating, but it's actually a simple process, and we'll be there in unity as a group.
Every speaker and every written comment should touch on two things:
- Your personal experience. Real CPS parents, real stories are really powerful.
- A request that the Board take up a resolution to consider a real, intentional technology policy for CPS
We have scripts here to get you started. Here's a video of SBS Chicago parent speaking at a July CPS board meeting.
Option 1: Speak at Public Comment (In-person or virtually)
Note: Once you register as a speaker, you will have the option to attend in-person or virtually.
Sept 24, 10:30 AM
CPS Loop Office
42 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Tell us you're coming here. Instructions on how to formally sign up to attend as a public commenter or observer are on the event. NOTE: You will need to officially sign up for public comment, the registration period is a 24 hour window: 9/22 @ 10:30AM - 9/23 @ 10:30AM. Details in the Event page.
Option 2: Submit Written Comment
This is per-meeting, and we'll send you instructions on how to do this once you sign up.
Questions about signing up or submitting testimony? Reach out to us at schoolsbeyondscreens.cps@gmail.com and we'll help you through it. Thank you for being part of this with us.
