About us
We are a group of New Paltz parents, teachers, and taxpayers concerned about the immediate and long-term effects of ed-tech, 1:1 Chromebooks, and AI on our kids. We have shared our concerns with the Board of Education, school administration, and district teachers. We made this website to share information and resources and to spark action.
We are not against technology. We support intentional, evidence-based digital fluency education, and we look forward to working collaboratively with teachers and administration to address our concerns.
The Chromebook that comes home
From 6th grade on, a district Chromebook goes home with your child every night. At Lenape it stays at school, so for a lot of families it comes as a surprise.
You can decline it. Families are doing it at every grade, and the start of the year is the simplest time to ask.
What you'll find here
Our stories → What this actually looks like in New Paltz homes, in families' own words.
Opting out → How to decline the take-home Chromebook, what to ask for, and a letter you can copy.
The myths → The phrases we keep hearing about screens and devices, and what we make of them.
The AI moratorium → Why we are asking the district to pause student access to generative AI, in line with a growing national call.
The ask: let each family choose
We believe each family should be able to choose whether their child has a take-home Chromebook, including whether it is used during Study Hall. If you agree, add your name. It takes less than a minute, and it shows the Board how many families want a real choice.
Your child's data
District Chromebooks record browsing, time in each app, and searches, and the district has confirmed this information is kept. When asked whether parents could see their own child's data, the administration said, "at this time, we do not provide this information to families." We think a parent should be able to see their own child's records, and we have a ready-to-send request letter for families who want theirs.
Want the records request letter? Email us. Looking to decline the take-home Chromebook? That's on the opting out page.
Our stories
These are real experiences from New Paltz families, in their own words. Excerpted for length, otherwise unchanged.
Homework around the table with conversation and connection disappeared.
Going from 5th to 6th grade was a shock. Homework around the table with conversation and connection disappeared and was replaced by a personal device that pulled our child's attention into an isolated world. Though we only allowed him to use his Chromebook for homework, short assignments kept him on his device far longer because distraction was just a click away. This created a very negative dynamic in our family because we were pushed to police time on the Chromebook and question whether he was working on homework at all. He became resentful of that, and it created a power struggle that we do not want in our home.
A New Paltz parent
One night, about 2am, my husband opened the door and found our son on the Chromebook, watching YouTube videos.
When our son was given a Chromebook at the Middle School, we were assured by the administration that he would have no free access to the internet. We trusted the administration. Into the school year, we started to notice changes in our son's personality. He stopped joyfully practicing piano in the mornings, he stopped drawing spontaneously, and he started complaining about constant tiredness. One night, about 2am, my husband got up to take a glass of water and noticed a bleak light through the door to our son's room. He opened the door and found our son on the Chromebook, watching YouTube videos. From that point, we stopped trusting the school and got a lock box. Our son started slowly to wake up back to life. But how many kids will never wake up?
A New Paltz parent
By 7th grade he was no longer reading books, drawing, or playing his musical instrument.
In 6th grade, when my son got his Chromebook, the trouble started. We pushed him constantly to put it down and eat dinner or go outside. We then took it away and began hiding it. He would find it and we would hide it again. By 7th grade he was no longer reading books, drawing, or playing his musical instrument. He has now quit the school band and finds most activities boring. As a parent, I no longer want the Chromebook in my house.
A New Paltz parent
Has this been your family's experience? Tell us about it. We can keep it anonymous or use just your first name, and we never publish a child's name. Even a few sentences helps another parent realize they are not the only one.
What you can do
Change starts with families speaking up, respectfully and persistently. Here are concrete ways to help.
- Share your views with the Board and administration. A short, respectful email makes a difference:
- Board of Education: boe@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Superintendent: sgratto@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Deputy Superintendent: loehlermarx@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Director of Integrated Technology and Data Privacy: kpetzinger@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Middle School Principal: rhogan@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Lenape Elementary Principal: singlee@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Duzine Elementary Principal: mjeanpaul@newpaltz.k12.ny.us
- Talk with your child's teachers about technology use in class. Ask questions and share what you are seeing at home; most teachers share these concerns.
- Request your child's Chromebook data. We have a ready-to-send letter, just email us for it.
- Attend Board of Education meetings. Agendas are posted on BoardDocs.
- Get involved with us. Email us to join or to share your story.
Links and resources
You do not have to be against technology to want it used with intention. This is a growing, curated list. Here is some of what has shaped our thinking, and groups doing similar work.
Articles and examples
- Los Angeles Times: Los Angeles Unified adopts strict school screen-time limits, a large district setting real boundaries
- "Chromebook Remorse," Natasha Singer, New York Times (via the Spokesman-Review)
- "The Mantras", the common talking points about screens, examined