CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) is decreasing Chromebook usage for students this school year. One family said they've seen a lot of change. Chromebooks became a necessity for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, six years later, CCPS is going back to basics by balancing Chromebook usage while also emphasizing pen and paper. This comes after Chesterfield parents advocated for less screen time in schools. "Last year, most of my assignments were on the Chromebook," said Carter Smith, a freshman at Monocan High School. "The videos to watch, how to do assignments, everything on the Chromebook." But this year things are different. ‘Back to basics’: Chesterfield schools moves toward less screen time "I'll have an assignment and I'll be like, 'Wait a minute, I remember writing this out on paper.' I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, I know the answer,' so it's definitely helped me learn," Carter said. She says writing on paper has helped with spelling since she doesn’t have autocorrect to depend on. Carter’s younger brother, Will Smith, is in 5th grade. For him, it’s been a little bit of an adjustment. "I like the Chromebook more because, I mean, I'm just saying that because I hate writing, because it just hurts my hand and stuff," Will said. "Long term, I think the writing on paper is better because it can help my handwriting and stuff." With Chesterfield’s new policy, kindergarteners through second graders do not take their Chromebooks home. Third through fifth graders may sometimes bring their Chromebooks home, based on the principal’s discretion. "My son last year had access to his Chromebook every day, brought it home every day," said Carolyn Smith, Carter and Will's mother. "Played with it until it died in the evenings. Charged it every night. Brought it back to school." Carolyn said 50% of Carter's homework is on paper and the other half is on the Chromebook. Carolyn said the most important thing to her is that her kids are getting a good education. She said she’s noticing both of her kids are learning better now and are on their screens less overall. "They're having conversations that they didn't have before," Carolyn said. "I think that probably goes into the home. I think I feel like my children are doing or having more fun in their interactions with their friends." CCPS said it's continuing to “refine intentional technology use” in schools this month and next. ...read more read less