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San Francisco Chronicle​

Letters: Forget the laptops and AI, schools need to go back to the basics

We congratulate the schools that are eliminating phones from classrooms. However, phones are only half the problem. Kindergarteners do not need iPads. We need to get technology and artificial intelligence out of the classrooms. Everyone tells me we need to prepare our kids for the future workplace, that technology is inevitable. Research shows that putting kids behind Chromebooks may not help them learn. Global test scores show that we are falling behind. All this screen time filled with unfocused distractions is not neurologically appropriate for proper brain development, studies show. The scrolling, swiping and gaming are not teaching our children the skills they will need to succeed when they graduate from high school. Administrators like the tidy workflow that tech provides them. But at what expense to our future generations? We need to prioritize printed textbooks, handwritten note-taking and hands-on assignments. We should return to the old proven methods of learning. Patti Fletcher, Roseville, Placer County Take care of pets Regarding 'San Francisco is euthanizing more stray dogs. Here's why' (San Francisco, June 20): It hurt to read about the 'easy-going and friendly' pit-mastiff mix with no medical issues, 'but after a short time in the facility, the dog became so anxious that he had to be put down.' At least the words 'put down' were a welcome reality check in what is too often a sea of euphemism. Every definition of 'euthanize' notes the intent to relieve pain and suffering, yet we misuse the term to make ourselves feel better about killing healthy animals that we have failed to find homes for. Would we use 'put down' if we were killing humans under similar circumstances? Let's abandon language designed to alleviate the shame of our sins and work on doing better by the animals over whom we have claimed dominion. Karen Dawn, Santa Barbara Mask bill misdirected Regarding 'Can California make officers show their faces during protests? Experts appear doubtful' (Politics, June 16): State Sen. Scott Wiener's proposal to ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks is political grandstanding and an effort to appease his base. It would be more productive to ban masks from the demonstrators who destroy Waymo vehicles, deface buildings and create a lawless atmosphere. I am sure they choose to wear masks to hide themselves from law enforcement, their families and employers. John McGurk, San Francisco Applause for theaters Regarding 'End of an era nears as San Francisco movie theater owners seek buyers for historic venues' (Arts & Entertainment, June 16): Thank you to Frank and Lida Lee for bringing interesting foreign and independent films to the Presidio, 4 Star and Parkside theaters over the years. As a movie fan who prefers the quirky, unique stories that have traveled the film festival route rather than the Hollywood production formula, it has been great to have the Lee's theaters showing quality films. I hope there is a buyer out there who can continue this tradition of excellence. Charlotte Seekamp, San Francisco Keep the peace When I visited my son in the Peace Corps, his wife met me, and as we walked down a main street, a tank came rolling down, with military men and guns, and I grabbed my camera. But before I lifted the camera to take the photo, my daughter-in-law pushed my hand down and said, 'No!' quite firmly. Not safe. Not a democracy. Different rules here. I took many pictures on that trip, but of nature — gigantic birds, forests, monkeys running through tree-tops. But not the tanks with guns pointed at us. That was also breathtaking, but not worth the risk. Different country, different culture, different life. It made coming home to the U.S. with no tanks pointed at citizens truly grand. Hopefully, with luck, we can keep it our way.