Bernie -

First of all I want to thank you for the thoughtful newsletter regarding the laptop program that was sent to our home. Both my wife and I read it, and at least, understand the program as it's described.

We both, however, want to join the growing throng of parents of Upper School students who are opposed to the program and would like you and the Board to reconsider the decision.

We are both computer-literate, I have a degree in Computer Science and we both make our living in computer and/or computationally-related professions. We have computers and internet access in our home and encourage both our children to make ample use of the computer for school-related research and homework preparation. We are all "pro computer" and "pro technology" but feel that that the Lakeside laptop program is both unnecessary and, in some cases, likely to interfere with the best use of time and teacher focus during the school day.

In addition, we do not feel that the extra expense, backpack weight and distraction are worth any advantage the laptop might bring during the school day and classroom time. There are great uses for computer and computer-based access, but it has not been shown anywhere that using them for taking notes, accessing materials in class, concentrating on presentation rather than substance, etc. are better than paying attention to lectures, discussions and board-based demonstrations. The laptops are likely to be intrusive in the classroom, take up valuable time through technical 'vulnerability' and divert resources and attention from the educational process. If they were that advantageous, parents and students would be clamoring for them, rather than asking you to reverse the decision. Are we all really so less well informed and motivated than the Board?

Additionally, the process by which this decision was made adds a note of exclusion from the decision making. Were students and parents polled, and if they were, what were the results. I've yet to find a parent or student who support the new policy, and the supporting logic presented in the newsletter was not compelling.

We hosted a Lakeside parent brunch today, and the laptop policy dominated the discussion. All of the parents present were universal in not supporting the policy. Although all agreed that computers are an important part of the educational process, none of us believed that a dedicated laptop for each student was the answer.

I expect a fairly contentious curriculum night, as this subject comes up again. I would very much appreciate it if you would take the time both to answer the serious and well-intentioned questions you've been receiving from many of us, and would also take the time to seriously re-think the policy rather than marching on with this expensive and, potentially, harmful direction in the educational program at Lakeside.

Sincerely,

name withheld