Dear Mr. Noe and Board of Trustees at Lakeside School:

We are writing you all to express our strong opposition to the proposed mandatory laptop program at Lakeside School. While we acknowledge the expanding role of technology in our society and daily lives, we question the proposed use of laptops in an educational environment that has been known for its creativity, critical thinking and strong student-teacher interactions. To proceed from a pilot program to a full Upper School mandatory program in this short time frame, with no stated evaluative process or clear educational goals, appears misguided. Further, the development of computer-based integrative curricula have not occurred. The two evaluative reports (Lightfoot and NWERL) are not strongly supportive for the program to proceed in the proposed fashion and in this fast track time frame.

We attended the parents meeting at the 10th grade curriculum night and were disappointed and dismayed with the forum and lack of responses by the people on the podium. Aside from the absent to poor communication to parents regarding the laptop program process, it became clear that no needs assessment or evaluative process was in place. Mr. Hutchinson stated that Lakeside School was also a business; it is unlikely that a successful business would proceed with a new program (so likely to effect the community and atmosphere that a counselor has been designated for these issues) without clear objectives and a cogent analysis of cost, and more importantly, benefit (to the students and community). The posture of podium members appeared to be distancing rather than inclusive; this was most evident as many responses to questions began by inappropriately portraying the questioner/audience as "afraid of technology."

The concern of integration with the curriculum was clearly revealed in Mr. Noe's comments that he was excited to figure out how to use the computer for his history course. This demonstrates the backward approach to implementing this program. The presence of laptops will now drive the course, rather than the course using the computer as a supplemental tool.

We are hopeful that Lakeside will not lose its vision and educational values which have drawn parents/students to the school in the first place. To proceed with the proposed mandatory program, in our opinions, would be detrimental to students' educational process and progress. We urge you to rethink the program and its intent.

We look forward to hearing back from you concerning this important issue.

Sincerely,
David B. Coppel, Ph.D.
Renee H. Coppel, M.Ed