Dear Natasha:

       I have observed some things that give me concern. As I voiced to
you on Friday, it is not appropriate for the children to be surfing the
internet. Although, I do appreciate your hearing some of the parents
concerns about not all the children getting computer time and trying to
implement such practices. I fear there is no structure or plan to this
implementation. What I meant, as I said at the Feb. 13 meeting, I want
the children to be working on EDUCATIONAL software. That is, software
that enhances mathmatical, reading comprehension, geographical
knowledge, vocabulary, science and quantitative reasoning. This would
require well thought out software for each age group with some sort of
substantial cirriculum to implement such educational activies. This
does not mean the children surfing the interent, whatching "you tube"
videos and the young rec leader on the internet not paying attention to
what the children are doing.

       When I walked into the computer room at Onetta Harris at 4:15
p.m. on February 23, 2007, the lights were off. I turned them on and
found my child with two other boys googleing words and watching videos
on the internet. I saw other children doing the same and I saw the Rec
Leader, on the computer by himself not watching the kids. This
disheartens me because I do not allow my 13 year old to surf the
internet without my permission and only then for research purposes. All
of my children's schools require a signed waiver to allow the kids on
the internet. I have not given permission for my child to surf the
internet alone. I only will permit it as a group exercise in learning
how to use the informational tools of the internet and never do my
children have permission to just surf independently without CLOSE adult
supervision. I did not find this appropriate. My son also told me that
he was permitted to play video games that had nothing to do with
learning. Again I do not allow my children to play video games at home
frequently or without me present. All video games are required to be
educational and no violent games are permitted.

       Please do not just shove our kids in front of the computer as a
quick fix as our request for computer time. This is going to take some
time and effort on the City's part to produce a quality activity. I
would like to see your software list, computer education cirriculum, rec
leader responsibilities in assisting the kids, research skills taught,
policy regarding internet use, what parental blocks are used and any
other written policies regarding computer use by the children.

       Please contact me to address this issue.

- Marcia Dore-Perez
(415) 297-6009
Received on Mon Feb 26 14:27:15 2007