Schools, Unions and PTA Actions

 

List of school union and PTA actions that have removed Wi-fi by EH Trust. This list is also available on the EH Trust website here: http://ehtrust.org/policy/schools-unions-and-pta-actions/

 

Schools, Unions and PTA Actions

Schools, teachers and parents are taking action to ensure a healthy school environment for students and a healthy work environment for students and staff. See below a list of schools that have removed wireless networks or taken action to reduce exposure to children. We also have a list of Teacher Unions and Parent Teacher Organizations that have issued statements, enacted policy and are calling for safe technology in schools.

Schools Worldwide Removing the WiFi/Taking Action

Teacher Unions and Parent Teacher Organizations

2014 United Federation of Teachers ( teachers, nurses and professionals working in New York City).

2014  New York State Teacher’s Union NYSUT: A federation of more than 1,200 local unions.

2014 National Education Association

  • “The National Education Association believes that all educational facilities must have healthy indoor air quality, be smoke-free, be safe from environmental and chemical hazards, and be safe from hazardous electromagnetic fields.”
  • “Students and/or their parents/guardians, education employees, and the public should be notified of actual and potential hazards.”
  • “School districts should conduct periodic testing for harmful water and airborne particles/agents that are detrimental to the health of students and education employees and shall report the results publicly.”
  • “The Association also believes in the development and enforcement of health and safety standards specifically for children.” Read Section C-19 of the NEA 2013-2014 Resolutions

2013 Canadian Teacher Federation’s Brief  (200,000 elementary and secondary school teachers)

  • “CTF is concerned about the lack of definitive research regarding the adverse health effects of Wi-Fi.
  • “We propose a prudent approach to the use of Wi-Fi, especially where children are present.”
  • “We recommend an education program regarding the relative safety of Wi-Fi exposure and that appropriate resources be developed to educate the public regarding ways to avoid potential exposure risks of Wi-Fi access points and devices.”
  • “Pedagogical needs could be met in schools with an approach that limits exposure to Wi-Fi.”
  • Read the Briefing  The Use of Wi-Fi in Schools – Briefing Document

2015: Canadian Teacher’s Magazine published CTF Sounds the Alarm on Wi-Fi

2013 United Teachers of Los Angeles, representing 40,000 teachers and staff

  • Resolution passed: “I move that UTLA will abide by current National NEA Policy for Environmentally Safe Schools which states that all employees and stakeholders should be informed when there are changes in their exposure to environmental hazards including electromagnetic radiation and that all stakeholders and the public should be notified of any actual and potential hazards.”
  • See UTLA Newsletter editorial by social worker Kevin Mottus.

2013 Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario – over 76,000 teachers

“There is cause for concern for members’ health and safety, especially women,” said Sandra Wash, a teacher representing the Peel district when the Federation issued a 2014  position statement supporting  an Expert Panel recommendation that Health Canada provide the public with more information about radiofrequency energy, and the safe use of wireless technology. ETFO voted to:

  • Turn cell phones off in classrooms
  • Label the location Of Wi-Fi access points.
  • Research Radio Frequency radiation.
  • Develop a hazard control program related to wireless microwave radiation through JHSC.

2012 The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (45,000 Ontario teachers)

  • Recommends a wired infrastructure as WIFI “may present a potential Health and Safety risk or hazard in the workplace…The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practiced.”

2013 BC Teachers Federation adopted Wireless Resolutions and Proposed Resolutions

2013 The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) of 821 Advisory Councils representing over 500,000 parents in British Columbia passed two resolutions.

  • Resolution 17 “calls on each Board of Education to have one public school at each education level that is free of Wi-Fi, cordless phones and cell phones. This school will only be equipped with wired computers and wired telephones for personal, educational and administrative purposes.”
  • Resolution 18 calls on Boards of Education to “cease to install Wi-Fi and other wireless networks in schools where other networking technology is feasible.” passed with a clear majority.
  • Read Resolution On/Off switches for WiFi Routers and Protocol for the Use of Wireless Devices

2010 UK VOICE ;The Union for Education Professionals- 20,000 members

Los Angeles California Public Schools

2000 LA School Board Resolution Opposing Cell Tower Placement  on Schools and calling for precautions with wireless. ‘Whereas, Recent studies suggest there is evidence that radio-frequency radiation may produce “health effects” at “very low field” intensities’ Read it here.

2010 Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association

“The GVTA recommends a precautionary approach to the School District with regard to provision of wireless internet in schools. The precautionary approach comes from the environmental movement and has been adopted as common practice in areas regarding potential environmental, ecological or biodiversity damage. It suggests that the lack of significant evidence is not enough of a reason to be unconcerned. The fact that many other countries have instituted regulations to protect children, seniors, pregnant women and other susceptible populations should be the guide for a District policy on WiFi installation and use in the worksites.”

The GVTA Wireless in Schools Webpage states now that:

  • Wi-Fi free zones should be available.
  • On/Off routers recommended and  record any adverse Wi-Fi health effects.
  • Minimal or non-use within elementary schools.

2008 Lucerne Elementary Secondary Arrow Lakes District SD 10 New Denver BC, Canada Opts for “No WIFI”

2001 California State PTA

  • “RESOLVED, that the California PTA supports local municipal zoning setback rules of at 1000 feet or more from an operating wireless transmitter and a school or residential area; and be it further
  • RESOLVED that the California PTA supports encouraging schools to use cable lines for all communications services on campus and to avoid the endorsement, purchase or use of wireless local area network systems on campus; and be it further
  • RESOLVED that the California PTA recommend that teachers and students should limit use of cellular phones or other mobile devices on school property to emergencies and that cellular phones, pagers and other mobile phones be turned off and placed out of sight while the individual is on school property”
  • Resolution on Wireless Equipment/Cellular Phones and Antennas Read it here.

 

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