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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

2016: Haifa, Israel: Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav( of Israel’s 3rd largest city) ordered all schools to have wireless removed and replaced with wired connections. Read Krayot article. Hamodia article. Related Reshet TV Report  Watch News Report with unofficial English translation Watch News Report on Supreme Court Case in Israel

2016 Lowell School, Washington DC: In the kindergarten wing, the Wi-Fi hotspots were removed and the teachers are given ethernet and adapters so that computers and class technology can be ethernet connected (corded) to reduce RF-EMF exposure.

2016 Italy: Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino laid out plans “to cut back on Wi-Fi in state schools and government buildings over concerns that radiation might damage people’s health”.

Read 7/2016 News Report Turin could slash Wi-Fi over ‘radiation’ concerns

2016: Onteora School District in New York State USA: District adopts “Best Practices with Wi-Fi Read the April 20, 2016 Meeting Minutes Page 2. “Turn off the device when not in use and at the end of each day.  If device is to stay on, turn Wi-Fi off when not in use.   Always place device on a solid surface.  Viewing distance should be a minimum of 12 inches from the screen.  Staff was asked by the Principals to post this in areas that contain computers and devices. They are reminding staff to follow it.”

2016 Italy: Mayor of Borgofranco d’Ivrea (Italy) orders Wi-Fi to be turned off in schools. “Mayor Livio Tola told the town’s high school and elementary school to return to using cables to connect to the internet after reading that the electromagnetic waves given off by wireless routers were especially harmful to young children.” Read the newspaper article here. Read the News article here “Ivrea, The Mayor Removes WiFi as it Could Be Dangerous”.

2016: Rotokawa School New Zealand, implemented steps to minimize RF Exposure Children use ipads in flight mode on desk and parents may request that their child use an Ethernet cord. Children are taught about the health precautions as part of their cyber citizenship.

2016: Istituto Comprensivo Alighieri- Diaz in Lecce Italy has banned wifi. Their two resolutions decided: a) to ban wifi in school and install a wired system for the use of internet and b) Reject the request of the local government (Municipality) to install  an antenna on the school roof for the wireless signal providing for the “Wireless city” program. The resolution also asks the Municipality to install the antenna at a reasonable distance from school.Read the official resolutions number 1 here and Resolution 2 Here.

2016: The Piemonte Region has adopted a resolution to limit EMF exposure, to limit the use of wifi in schools and be considerate to the problem of EHS people. Read about it here.

2015: Ashland Public Schools, Mass (USA): “Best Practices” to turn the WiFi off when not in use, Download Slides . Video of parent who initiated this. Video of school board member discussing the process. Read Magazine article on Ashland’s Decision Here.

2016: Shearwater The Mullumbimby Steiner School, Australia, 100% Wi-Fi Free School

2016: Yallingup Steiner School Australia , WiFi Free Classrooms

2016: Linuwel School , Australia ,WiFi in some classrooms, Can accommodate children with EHS.

2016: Cairns Hinterland Steiner School , Australia, WiFi Free Classrooms (may be available in other areas)

2016: Wild Cherry School, Australia , 100% Wi-Fi Free

2015: St. Cajetanus School, Belgium: Wired Internet installed and wireless removed.

2015: Washington Waldorf School, Maryland, USA: Removed Wi-Fi Routers from Buildings, Ethernet installed.

2015: Freshwater Creek School, Australia, 100% Wi-Fi Free

2015: Lorien Novalis School, Australia, 100% Wi-Fi Free School Preschool to 12th grade.

2015: Cairns Hinterland School, Austraia, WiFi Free Classrooms for EHS

2014: Acorn Hill School, Maryland: Wi-Fi Networks removed.

2014: Friends Community School: Wi-Fi turned off in wing for lower elementary school students. WiFi routers moved OUT of classrooms into hallways for older grades to reduce EMF exposure. Ethernet wires made available in classrooms for families who want children on corded (not wireless) computers.

2014: DearCroft Montessori: Hardwired internet to younger grades, limited Wi-Fi Router exposure to older grades.

2014: Portland Waldorf School, Portland Oregon,USA, WiFi removed.

2014: Meeting House Montessori, Braintree Massachusetts, USA, WiFi replaced with ethernet.

2014: Ghent, Finland,  Wi-fi banned from pre-schools and day care.

2014: UPPER Sturt Primary School, Australia. Read article.  Read “No WIFI” LOW EMF School Policy.

2014: The St. Augustine School in Italy turned off Wifi and goes back to Wires.

2013 Winlaw Elementary School, B.C. Canada turned off WiFi.

2013 Te Horo Primary School New Zealand Replaced WIFI with cable-based internet.

2013 Kootenay Lakes District School Board BC (One school without Wi-Fi)

2013 Blaise-Cendrars High School, Switzerland. Teachers vote to remove WiFi.

2012 Kivioja primary school in Ylivieska Finland bans phones and minimizes Wireless.

2012: Halton Waldorf, in Burlington Vermont: Remaining free of Wireless Radiation

2011 City of Lakes Waldorf School, WiFi taken out. Minneapolis, Minnesota USA

2011 Aurora School in Ontario removed Wifi and replaced with hardwired.

2011 North Cariboo Christian School in Quesnel, B.C., removed Wi-fi .

2011 Pretty River Academy in Ontario no WiFi.

2011 Wayside Academy, Peterborough, Ontario no Wi Fi.

2010 Surrey, BC Roots and Wings Montessori removed Wi-Fi.

2010 Ontario St. Vincent Euphrasia elementary school: Parents voted to turn off Wi-Fi.

2009 HEROUVILLE-SAINT-CLAIR wi-fi networks removed.

Teacher Unions and Parent Teacher Organizations

2016: New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) publishes “Minimize health risks from electronic devices” in the  September 2016 NJEA Review.  Adrienne Markowitz and Eileen Senn detail how to reduce physical health risks from devices including risks from radiation exposure

 

  • “Keep devices away from the body and bedroom.
  • Carry phones in briefcases, etc., not on the body.
  • Put devices on desks, not laps.
  • Hard wire all devices that connect to the internet.
  • Hard wire all fixed devices such as printers, projectors and boards.
  • Use hard-wired phones instead of cell or cordless phones.
  • Text rather than call.
  • Keep conversations short or talk in person.
  • Put devices in airplane mode, which suspends EMF transmission by the device, thereby disabling Bluetooth, GPS, phone calls, and WiFi.
  • Use speaker phone or ear buds instead of holding the phone next your head.
  • Take off Bluetooth devices when not using them.”

 

2016: Phoenicia Elementary School Onteora School District, New York State

2016: Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation

  • A new call for a  moratorium on WIFI and in the Limestone School District and they have taken the issue to the school trustees in that District. “The Teacher Union’s president says there is a growing mountain of evidence that WIFI can pose health risks.”  Andrea Loken/OSSTF District President stated in a 3/2016 news interview that, “There are thousands of published peer reviewed papers that are indicating adverse health effects from WIFI and we are seeing an increased awareness around this issue worldwide.” Watch the video of the news piece with Union members here . Read the National Post article here. Radio Canada International article here.

2016: Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario

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

2014 New York State Teachers 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. UTLA will advocate for technological solutions that maintain technology upgrades while not increasing employees exposure to electromagnetic radiation.”
  • Health and Human Services Committee 3-6-13 #1: Moved by Kevin Mottus, seconded by John Cabrera.
  • 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.”
  • Read the Position Statement here. “Controls for WiFi would best be guided by the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), as well as by applying the concept of prudent avoidance (of non-ionizing radiation).”
  • Read CBC News article

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

  • The LA School District Uses a RF-EMF Exposure Threshold 10,000 Less Than the FCC Limits: The OEHS supported  a precautionary threshold level that is 10,000 times lower than the current Federal Communications Commission standard. Read the RF Report the LA School District Used to recommend a cautionary exposure level. RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) EVALUATION REPORT Use of Wireless Devices in Educational Settings
  • 2009 LA School Board Resolution Banning Cell Towers from schools and recommending against WiFi.
  • “The Board supports responsible deployment of fiberoptic broadband technology which is superior to wireless in speed, reliability, security, durability and protections it affords people and the environment from the potential hazards of exposure to radio frequency radiation.”
  • Read the adopted resolution HERE.
  • 2009 December Resolution Condemning Cell towers NEAR Schools as was this T-Mobile Cell Tower across the street from an elementary school. Read it here.

“As long as questions exist as to the adequacy of these federal regulations, local governments should have the ability to include consideration of health and environmental effects of these facilities.” (referring to cell towers) Read the motion by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael Antonovich

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 Fletcher Hills PTA Resolution submitted to the 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.

DOWNLOAD SCHOOLS & WIRELESS BRIEFING Download a PDF of this information and international policy

Click on images below to watch videos.