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Petition Letter Template
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Four Norms

Petition to End 1:1 Device Programs in Elementary Schools (K-5)

This campaign helps parent groups advocate for developmentally appropriate technology policies in elementary schools by requesting the elimination of 1:1 device programs for students in grades K-5, promoting hands-on learning approaches that protect young children's attention spans and foundational skill development.

Addresses these norms:
Ed Tech
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Curated from expert organizations across the movement

The Balance Project

Phone-Free Schools Movement

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How It Works

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1. Guided Setup

Follow our guided process to create and customize the campaign for your community in under 5 minutes.

2. Share & Recruit

Use our one-click sharing tools to invite your network via email, social media, or text. No managing multiple platforms.

3. Collect Signatures

Supporters sign digitally via your unique campaign landing page. No manual work on your end, we track progress for you.

4. Take Action

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Local action, national impact: When you publish on Four Norms, your campaign joins a growing shared movement. We automatically aggregate insights at the national level so you can focus on what matters—your community.

Proven Language That Works

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Petition to End 1:1 Device Programs in Elementary Schools (K-5)

This campaign helps parent groups advocate for developmentally appropriate technology policies in elementary schools by requesting the elimination of 1:1 device programs for students in grades K-5, promoting hands-on learning approaches that protect young children's attention spans and foundational skill development.

Dear [Superintendent/Principal Name],
We are writing to request that [District Name] eliminate 1:1 device programs for elementary students in grades K-5.
Our Concern
When 1:1 device programs were first introduced, they were driven by the well-intentioned belief that all students needed constant access to computers. However, research has since revealed that this approach may actually hinder our youngest learners' development.
Elementary students (K-5) need time and space to develop critical foundational skills: self-regulation, sustained attention, and a strong sense of identity rooted in real-world experiences. These traits are essential building blocks that will serve them throughout their lives, making them more thoughtful and capable technology users as they mature.
Current studies consistently show that young children learn better through hands-on, interactive experiences rather than screen-based activities. Students demonstrate superior comprehension and retention when learning from paper versus screens. Meanwhile, excessive screen time has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, attention difficulties, sleep problems, and challenges with deep thinking.
In the classroom, devices often fragment students' attention and create behavioral management challenges that pull teachers away from actual instruction. Rather than enhancing learning, screens can become obstacles to the focused, engaged learning that young minds need to thrive.

This also matters for parents in the home. Disagreements around devices and screen time have become the biggest pain point for most families. Today, schools have the opportunity to lead by example by de-prioritizing device-based learning, giving students a love of learning while not attached to a device, and giving parents an off-ramp to set better tech boundaries at home.

Our Request
We ask that [District Name] eliminate permanent device assignments for all elementary students (K-5). Instead, devices can be available on shared carts or in computer labs when there is a specific educational benefit that cannot be achieved without technology.
This approach would:
  • Protect our youngest students' developing attention spans and learning abilities
  • Allow teachers to focus on instruction rather than managing screen behavior
  • Ensure technology is used purposefully rather than as a default
Next Steps
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this request with you. Our goal is to work collaboratively with [District Name] to ensure our elementary students receive developmentally appropriate education that supports their health and academic growth.
[LOCAL CONTEXT SECTION - Optional, Add 2-3 sentences about your community]
We respectfully ask that you consider this evidence-based change to better serve our youngest learners.
Sincerely, 
The undersigned



Why This Language Works:

  • Focuses on shared values, not technology fears
  • Uses inclusive "we" language to build community
  • Backed by research but stays conversational
  • Provides specific, actionable commitments
Join 500+ parents already taking action
Start This Campaign
Always free • Fully customizable • 2-minute setup

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about running a successful campaign.

Can I modify the template language?

Absolutely! While our templates provide proven messaging frameworks, you can customize details, add local context, and adjust tone to match your community's needs.

What if I'm not experienced with organizing?

That's exactly why we built this! Our templates include step-by-step guidance, proven language, and everything you need. Most successful organizers using Four Norms had zero experience when they started.

How do digital signatures work?

Parents sign using their name and email on any device. Signatures are legally valid for petitions and generate professional PDFs with signature pages for presentations.

How much time does this take?

Initial setup takes about 5 minutes. After that, most organizers spend 2-3 hours per week managing their campaign. Our automation handles the heavy lifting—you focus on building relationships.

What if no one signs?

Our templates have been tested in 50+ communities with consistently strong results. Plus, you get access to our community of organizers who share what's working. We also provide coaching calls to help troubleshoot.

Is this really free?

Yes! Starting a campaign is completely free. You can collect unlimited signatures and use all our basic tools. We offer premium features for power users, but most successful campaigns use only the free tier.

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