Worldwide Movements Towards Safer School Environments

Worldwide schools and governments are taking action to reduce levels of wireless and electromagnetic radiation in schools. Wireless exposures in schools come from cell phones, Wi-Fi, 5G virtual reality, and nearby cell towers/antennas. In addition, schools now have wireless security and equipment networks that create wireless exposures. Schools also will have magnetic field electromagnetic exposures from the nearby high-voltage powerlines. 

In addition to government country wide actions like replacing Wi-Fi with safe wired networks, individual school districts and individual schools are making changes. This page presents only a few of the worldwide policies moving forward. EHT is committed to safe technology in schools and regularly writes and briefs policymakers on the issue. 

(This page is hyperlinked to all sources.)

Protective Policy by Governments

FRANCE

France has banned Wi-Fi in kindergarten, restricts Wi-Fi in school by having the wireless off as the default setting, and teachers have wired (not wireless) computers for Internet access. In-school networks are being hardwired, and in situations where wireless is needed it is turned on only for a short duration in the classroom as needed and turned off after use. France also has banned cell phones in elementary/middle schools and started educating the public years ago with public health initiatives about how to reduce exposure. 

CYPRUS

Cyprus has removed Wi-Fi from elementary classrooms and has a strong public awareness campaign educating parents, teenagers, and pregnant women. 

BELGIUM

Belgium has banned cell phones manufactured for young children and also banned Wi-Fi in the kindergartens of Ghent.

ISRAEL

Israel has banned Wi-Fi in nursery schools, restricts Wi-Fi in elementary grades, bans cell phones in classrooms, has a national institution educating on how to reduce cell phone radiation, and has a limit of 4 mG for EMF. 

FRENCH POLYNESIA

French Polynesia also has removed Wi-Fi from nursery schools and turned the wireless off as the default setting, in addition to launching a major public health campaign for the country.

CITIES WORLDWIDE

Mayors are calling for wired networks to replace Wi-Fi networks in schools in several cities in Europe such as Borgofranco d’Ivrea and Turin in Italy and Haifa, Israel. 

The video to the left is the Chief of Technology in Haifa Schools presenting how he hardwired the classrooms. 

EUROPEAN PARLIMENT 

In 2011, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) passed Resolution 1815 “The Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields and Their Effect on the Environment,” which calls on European governments to “take all reasonable measures” to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields “particularly the exposure to children and young people who seem to be most at risk from head tumours…and particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by school children on school premises.”  

Cities are Calling for the Implementation of PACE Resolution 1915.

In Spain municipalities which have requested the implementation of the recommendations of PACE Resolution 1815  include Barakaldo, Errentería, Espartinas, Hospitalet, Jerez de la Frontera, San Sebastián, Vitoria, Villa de Plentzia, Cornellá de Llobregat, Torrox, Mula, Villa de Buenavista del Norte, Poio, Arganda del Rey, Cenizate, Hospitalet, Juntas generales de Guipúzcoa, Villava, Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Basque and Navarre Parliaments. 

In Italy municipalities which have requested the implementation of the recommendations of PACE Resolution 1815 include the Piemonte Region Council resolution to limit EMF exposure in schools, the State Parliament of South Tyrol resolution on WLAN, mobile radio, radiation exposure, the Bologna  City Council Resolution to launch a public information campaign. In addition, over 5oo municipalities in Italy have passed resolutions to halt 5g until safety research has been done to ensure safety. 

UNITED STATES 

In the United States, laws are launching government investigations into wireless exposures in schools, school districts are taking steps towards safer technology. 

• In 2019, Oregon passed a bill, SB283, which directs the Oregon Health Authority to review peer-reviewed, independently funded scientific studies of health effects of exposure to microwave radiation, particularly exposure that results from use of wireless network technologies in schools, and to report to a Legislative Educational Assembly in 2021. 

• In 2017, the Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health And Protection Advisory Council issued first ever state recommendations for reducing wireless exposure in schools by providing wired—rather than wireless—Internet connections.

• The California State PTA passed a resolution on electromagnetic fields resolving to educate and inform decision makers and school communities on risk reduction policies for electromagnetic radiation.  

• Onteora School District, and Ashland in Massachusetts, have “Best Practices” to turn off the Wi-Fi when not in use and keep devices away from the body—posted in every classroom. 

• Several school districts (Petaluma, Montgomery County) have policies that tablets and notebook computers should be on tables (not laps)—prompted by parents raising the health issue of Wi-Fi in school.

• The Los Angeles school district prohibits school cell towers and has set a wireless exposure limit that is 10,000 times lower than FCC limits, recognising the existence of biological effects. 

• The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Association has released an educational curriculum  for students, elementary through high school. 

• The Waldorf Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA has hard-wired their high school internet connections, and has policy requiring phones off during the school day and that the kids place their cell phones in a storage area each day while at school. 

• California’s Palo Alto school district  launched an initiative to reduce wireless radiation exposures by reducing energy consumption and turning off unused wireless systems (that were found to be transmitting radiofrequency signals, even though the technology was not being used.) 

  
  

5G IN SCHOOLS

Many schools are becoming test beds for 5G equipment despite the fact that scientists are warning that 5G technology presents serious health implications.

• New Hampshire passed HB 522 “An act establishing a commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology,” which created an expert Commission to study the health and environmental impacts of 5G. The Commission meets monthly and interviews international experts. The meeting notes and agendas are all online.

TEACHER UNIONS

Teacher Unions have issued resolutions, developed briefing materials and are urging education and protections for both teachers and staff.  

• The  New York State Teachers Union issued a resolution on safe technology, hosted a webinar “Risks of wireless technologies and protecting children and staff in schools” issued a press release on their “Best Practices For Schools.”

• The United Educators of San Francisco passed a Resolution on Safer Technology calling for information on reducing cell phone use to be posted in classrooms and hosted informational  webinars. 

• 2016 the  Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario called for a “WI-FI moratorium.”  

• In 2013,  Canadian Teacher Federation issued a briefing document, “The Use of Wi-Fi in Schools,” recommending an education program to educate the public regarding ways to avoid potential exposure risks of Wi-Fi access points and devices.” 

SCHOOLS REMOVING THE WI-FI 

Private schools are also taking steps to remove sources of wireless and educate their parents, students, and teachers. 

• Upper Sturt Primary School has a “WiFi and Cell Phone Policy,” providing an example of policy independent schools can practically implement.

• Castle Hill High School installed special plugs so that the wireless WAP antennas are OFF except when the teacher decides to use them in each classroom. The school has a policy to inform and educate students about cell phones and wireless radiation, and officially recommends reducing exposure. They teach students to turn OFF the wireless on their devices.

• Schools that have removed Wi-Fi include L’Isola dei Tesori, Caledon East Children’s Centre, and the City of Lakes Waldorf School. 

This page hosts a running list of district and individual  schools that have removed Wi-Fi or reduced Wi-Fi radiation.

*Scroll down for the list of individual private schools.

List of Government and School Action

2017 Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health And Protection Advisory Council Recommendations for Wired Internet In Schools and Minimizing RF Classrooms

• The Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council (CEHPAC) issued a Report advising the Department of Education to recommend local school districts reduce classroom wireless radiation exposures by providing wired—rather than wireless—internet connections.
• While these recommendations also include halfway measures, they are the first body of a US state to recommend reducing exposures. We think they need to go further to clearly recommend only wired ethernet connections and the full removal of Wi-Fi from the school property.

Below is an interview with City of Lakes teachers on how they removed the Wi-Fi from the classrooms due to health concerns.

Public School Policy

Note: The schools and school districts listed here are taking steps in the right direction but many of them are not fully protecting students and staff. Safety is only assured with fully wired internet (meaning no wireless) and Low EMF practices.

2017/2018 – Montgomery County Maryland

In January 2018, the Chief Technology Officer of Montgomery County Maryland, one of the top School Districts in the country shared information on Digital Device Safety to all staff in a memo. Read the Memo here.  

1/12/2018 Memo “Digital Safety At School And At Home”

The MCCPTA Safe Technology Subcommittee would like to share the following recommendations for using technology at school and at home. For Students at School:

• Consider placing Chromebooks/laptops on desks and tables rather than in laps;
• Don’t forget to shut down and log off of Chromebooks/laptops when moving from classroom to classroom;
• Consider turning off cell phones and keeping them in backpacks or lockers off when not in use;
• If necessary, take eye breaks, 1-to 2 minutes in length, approximately every 15 minutes;
• Attend to task! Avoid distractions such as reading email, playing games, or browsing the Internet;
• Engage in face-to-face socialization, especially at free time, lunch, and recess;
• Always use the Internet and devices for educational purposes in accordance with MCPS’s responsible use policies;
• Use resources that do not infringe on another’s copyright or trademark rights.

For Students at Home:

• “Disconnect” at least one hour before bedtime.  This includes all forms of media and requires online-based homework to be done well in advance of bedtime;
• Keep electronic devices out of bedrooms for a sounder sleep.

For Teachers:

• Encourage students, when appropriate, to customize their device screens using tools such as ScreenShader designed to reduce potential eye strain and fatigue
• Consider providing students with options for good behavior that include physical activity and social interaction rather than “device time”;
• When requested, provide paper alternatives for take-home class work.

Additional Resources:

• Maryland Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council (CEHPAC):
  • https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Shared%20Documents/CEHPAC/MD_CEHPAC_SchoolWiFi_022017_final.pdf
• New Jersey Education Association (NJEA):
  • https://www.njea.org/minimize-health-risks-from-electronic-devices/ .
  • http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S81
  • http://www.businessinsider.com/why-its-bad-to-use-your-phone-before-bed-2015-7
  • http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S92

Hertfordshire Local Authority, England:

The Hertfordshire Local Authority, England website  has a section on Information on Wireless Networks which states that when installing networks schools should do certain things. Incliuded is the following:

• “Do not allow users to touch the antenna of wireless access points. Fixed access points should in any case be well out of reach. Where laptops or other computers have exposed antennae these should not be touched during operation. In general the computer’s antenna should be kept at least 20cms from the body which means that it is not recommended that users sit with wireless laptops actually on their laps.”
• In addition the school authority mentions the “microwave-induced auditory response” and states, ” If particular concerns have been raised then consider placing a sign either at the school entrance or at the entrance to any part of the school that has wireless networking, not as a warning but just for information. Any visitor who may suffer from the auditory response or be concerned about interference with a medical device can then choose to stay clear.There is a suggested notice and logo in the Links section to the right of the screen.” 
• EHT is linked to as a reference for more information, as well as Public Health England. 
• While this action of reommending devices off the lap and signs does not protect the children nor ensure safety, it does reflect the growing awareness of the fauly way devices rae tested- at 20 cm off the body. Devices should not be on children’s lap. 

2017 The Montgomery County School Chromebook Policy states that laptops should stay on tables and not on laps.  

• Montgomery County Maryland ChromeBook Guidelines for students.

2017: Worcester Massachusetts, School Committee voted to approve “precautionary options” to be posted on the Worcester District Website

Read the Document entitled “Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure” now posted on Worcester’s School District’s website.  

“It is the Administration’s view that existing government regulating agencies should be setting proper exposure levels and offering best practices, such as the EPA and FCC”.

“Based on the guidance from these agencies, the Administration proposes the following:

If you are concerned about radiation or heat from electronic devices, follow these guidelines:  

• Consider increasing the distance between electronic devices and your body  
• Consider keeping your cellphone, tablet, or laptop in your purse, backpack, or briefcase case instead of keeping it on or close to your body
• If talking on a cellphone, consider using speakerphone or a hands free headset or reduce the number or length of calls  
• When not using wireless or Bluetooth, consider shutting off these services on the device or put the device in Airplane mode  
• Consider not placing the device directly on your lap. Instead consider placing it on a hard surface such as a desk or bo

Note: This initiative was supported by a local community organization called Worcester Info Team for Health whose Mission Statement was “… to support Worcester decision makers and others in learning about and mitigating the  public health risks posed by the rapid roll-out of wireless devices and infrastructure,  emphasizing the Precautionary Principle and seeking collaboration on creative solutions.”

Watch video testimony with excerpts from Worcester School Committee deliberations and vote here.

Press Release on Worcester Massachusetts precautionary Options

News Articles on the Worcester School Committees Actions on Wi-Fi

• “The Education Beat: Cell phones: protecting yourself and your children” Worcester Magazine May 18, 20
• “Worcester school board hesitant but curious about possible WiFi health risk” Telegram.com October 2016
• Monfredo: How Safe are the Electromagnetic Fields Emitted by Wireless Technology? Go Local Worcester, September  3, 2016
• Worcester Schools draft warning on wireless devices, Telegram.com

2016 – Petaluma Public Schools, California USA: Public school district adopts “Digital Device Practices”

• Digital Device Best Practices PDF
• Parents raised the issue of wireless health risks with the district for years and this new policy was put in place in 2016. However- as this policy still does not protect the students health,  parents continue to  advocate for a safe school environment and signed a petition which can be found at http://responsibleipad.com/petition.html
• The Petaluma 2016 iPad Best Practices state: “Keep it on the Desk: The best place for your iPad to sit during use is on a desk, table or other flat surface.”
• Videos of Parent Testimony to District
• Child Testimony
• Doctors Letters to District  

2016 – Onteora School District in New York State Adopts “Best Practices with Wi-Fi

Onteora “Student Acceptable Use of District Technology”

• The bottom of page 4 states: “Best Practices For Wi-Fi:  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 (switch on side, or airplane mode on iPad).  Always place the device on a solid surface  Viewing distance should be a minimum of 12 inches from the screen.”

Onteora “Employee Acceptable Use of District Technology”

• The top of page 4 and bottom of page 5” Employees to enforce the “Best Practices For Wi-Fi.”April 20,

2016 Meeting Minutes Page 2 (When Best Practices approval discussed at Board meeting )

• “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.”

2015 – Ashland Public Schools, Massachusetts Institutes “Best Practices”

• Ashland was the first US school District to institute “Best Practices” to turn the Wi-Fi off when not in use and keep devices away from the body
• Download powerpoint  slides used for teacher/staff training.
• Video of parent who initiated this, Video of school board member discussing the process.
• Magazine article on Ashland’s Decision Here, Newspaper Coverage
• TV Program of parent advocate CeCe Doucette and Keith Marciniak discussing the policy changes.

Los Angeles, California Public Schools (LAUSD) Bans Cell towers on school property and recommends Cautionary RFR Exposure Levels (10,000 lower than FCC limits but not biologically protective.) 

• The LA School District Uses a RF-EMF Exposure Threshold 10,000 Less Than the FCC Limits.  Read the RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) EVALUATION REPORT LAUSD Use of Wireless Devices in Educational Settings. The threshold of the LAUSD is still not protective of human health.  We also understand that the LAUSD averages radio frequency measurements which minimizes the peak radiation exposures. Thus, LAUSD RFR radiation reports with averaged measurements are not adequate to understand the exposure and human health impacts  in the classroom.  Please see our note below. 
• Los Angeles Unified School board wrote a resolution banning cell towers from schools and recommending against WiFi Read the 2009 adopted resolution  and the 2009 Resolution Condemning Cell towers NEAR Schools as was this T-Mobile Cell Tower across the street from an elementary school.

Motion by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael Antonovich

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

Safety Issues Related to the LAUSD RFR Thresholds : Los Angeles School District states they use precautionary RFR guidelines- however  even a threshold at 10,000 times lower than FCC limits is not safe because peer reviewed published scientific research has shown harm at levels hundreds of thousands times lower than FCC limits. The school district is in fact increasing wireless exposures with Wi-Fi access points and increasing exposure to students and staff. LAUSD is not ensuring safety with these actions.  In addition the LAUSD measures the radiation in the building by averaging the power density which masks areas of high intensity and peak exposures. From a human health standpoint, the RFR measurements need to include peak readings in addition to the cumulative length of time children are exposed to RF radiation in order to fully understand their exposure. Until these measures are taken, one cannot adequately evaluate the EMF environment.

Note on Safety: Digital Device “Best Practices” that still allow Wi-Fi access points in classrooms- still allow microwave exposures to the children and such practices are not adequately protective to children. These District actions seem to be acknowledgment that wireless device expose the body to radiation. However, such “Best Practices” still allow access points to be powered on and thus are always exposing the students and staff to continuous microwave radiation regardless of the devices being in use or not. In addition, devices are also continuously transmitting during student use of the internet and no procedure is in place to ensure that Best Practices are followed so that the transmissions are turned off when the internet is not needed.  Therefore these “Best Practices” do not mitigate the risk nor do they protect students from School District created wireless exposures.

Los Angeles, California Public Schools  Design Guide 2007 includes Recommendations to Reduce EMF

“The design of new school facilities, and modernization projects must include measures to minimize the building occupants’ exposure to high electromagnetic fields emitted by electrical equipment such as transformers, switchboards, panel boards, and building wiring. The following guidelines can help minimize electromagnetic field exposure and interference”- Los Angeles, California Public Schools  Design Guide 2007

SCHOOLS THAT ARE REMOVING WI-FI OR REDUCING CHILDREN’S EXPOSURE

NOTE: EHT is listing these actions as they happen. Sometimes things change over time. Please contact us if information needs updating. Please also contact us if a school needs to be on this list that we have not identified.

2021: Schools in Australia updates

• Sophia Waldorf School
• The Village School Gold Coast brought in a Building Biologist in to help with the 5G exposures. 

2020 Village Forest School: A  bilingual school in the  Monferrato region of northern Italy.

“On land which has never been dosed with chemicals and pesticides, and which is removed from the buzzing and surging of mobile towers and WiFi, a radiation free zone. “ Read more HERE. 

“A school, or any place where children spend a lot of time, should be healthy – free of environmental pollution to the extent possible; we emphasize organic, natural/unprocessed food, an environment free of wireless radiation (mobile phones, WiFi etc) and largely free of exposure to chemicals.” Village Forest School on Values

2019: Meander in Nijmegen: Read the news article about the school in “Geen wifi in de klassen van vrijeschool Meander in Nijmegen” (No WiFi in the classes of  Meander in Nijmegen)

2019: Silver Tree Steiner School in Parkerville, WA: Wi-Fi Removed. 

2019: Caledon East Children’s Centre. WiFi removed. Read news article Caledon daycare plugging back in due to Wi-Fi concerns

2019: Castle Hill High School: Installed special plugs so that the wireless WAP antennas are OFF except when teacher decides to use them in each classroom.  The school has a policy to inform and educate  students about cell phones and wireless radiation and officially  recommends reducing exposure. They teach students to turn the wireless OFF on their devices.

• “We now have the ability to turn off Wi-Fi at CHHS. We believe that CHHSs Wi-Fi Plugs is a landmark initiative in Australian schools. The program has taken well over 12 months to trial and implement with close co-operation between the school and P&C.”
• “The project came at a cost of $6k to the P&C, which we believe is money well spent. A policy and Procedures document exists and has the approval of Mrs Vicki Brewer. This means it is now School Policy to disconnect the Wi-Fi Router when access is not required. Teachers have all been made aware and mini posters have been placed neat the Wi-Fi Plugs to remind teachers to ‘Pull the Plug’ when Wi-Fi access is not needed.
  In addition, we are encouraging students to use flight/airplane mode on all their devices including mobiles and laptops when wireless is not required. Airplane mode is the non-radiating emitting mode. We need your help – please talk to your children about Wi-Fi Plugs and ask them to remind our busy teachers to ‘Pull the Plug’ if the class is not using wireless access that lesson.”

Read the Castle Hill High School Webpages on Electromagnetic Radiation

• What is EMR? What are the potential health risks? What can we do?
• Safe Technology Info for Parents

Read the Castle Hill High School  P&C Committee – Mobile Phone Safety Tips & Cyberbullying Information, PDF of Castle Hill High School  P&C Committee – Mobile Phone Safety Tips & Cyberbullying Information

• “Fact – wireless devices including mobile phones emit microwave radiation (RF-EMR). Human exposure to RF-EMR has increased by more than a billion-fold over the last few decades. Recent scientific evidence has confirmed that currently permitted levels of RF-EMR can cause various effects on living cells including damaging DNA (e.g. National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the USA).
• The following points are shared in the hope of encouraging safer and more responsible use of mobile phones by students.  The Precautionary Principle should be instituted when using a mobile phone or any wireless device. Note there is no proof of safety with these devices.
• Mobile phones were first introduced without any pre market testing for safety.  Mobile phones emit Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) and EMR has been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a 2B Possible Carcinogen..
• Have you read the fine print?  That is, every phone comes with a legal disclaimer warning that the mobile is not meant to be placed directly against the head or the body.  Use speaker phone instead.
• Mobile phones should not be placed on your person or in pockets.  Studies showing reduced fertility and damaged sperm have been demonstrated when mobiles are placed in pockets or against the body.
• Airplane Mode is your new best friend because it stops the mobile emitting EMR.  Always check that Wi-Fi/Blue Tooth are turned off as well for complete protection.
• If the phone is turned into silent mode it will still be emitting EMR.  Only Airplane Mode and disabling wireless and/or completely turning off your phone will stop the EMR.
• Consider turning your mobile on only when you need to make call and consider the use of air tube headsets to assist with exposure minimisation.
• Mobile Phones have no place in bedrooms and should not be left on at night.  If a mobile is on, it continually and periodically checks for the closest mobile phone tower and this process creates microwave radiation or EMR.
• Mobile phone chargers also emit magnetic fields and should not be placed in bedrooms or near where people spend lots of time.
• Mobile devices should be switched off in cars, buses and all forms of public transport.  The metal in the vehicle means it is more difficult for the signal to escape the vehicle and higher levels of radiation result for all passengers. This situation is the same for travelling in lifts.
• Learner drivers and P1 drivers and riders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding in a vehicle.  This is law in Australia.
• Consider texting rather than phoning and note you can send several texts in Airplane Mode so that when typing the text you are not exposed to radiation.  Then simply turn your phone on and let the message(s) transmit.
• When playing games on your mobile or listening to music it is essential to use Airplane Mode (see point 4).
• All wireless laptops and tablets emit EMR.  When internet access is not required, they should be switched into Airplane Mode (see point 4).”

2018: Escola Waldorf Acalanto: Wi-Fi removed in 2018.

2018: Headwaters Academy, Ontario Canada: Completely WiFi free

• A 110-acre set atop the Niagara Escarpment in the beautiful Beaver Valley near Thornbury, Ontario
• Headwaters Academy (JK-8) opted to use hard-wired iMacs in the passive solar-heated classroom and provide a WiFi free learning environment.  Top marks were earned with Air Quality as well.

2018: The Santa Fe Waldorf in New Mexico: Wi-Fi removed in elementary school building. Currently accommodating children with EHS in the elementary school. Has previously accommodated children with MCS, and is currently equipped to do so. Elementary school is fully Wi-fi free since Feb 2018.

2017: Worcester Massachusetts, School Committee voted to approve “precautionary options” to be posted on the Worcester District Website. Read Press Release.

2017: San Diego California USA  Waldorf School: Adopted CHPS guidelines wired internet/electronic free zones/and hardwired phones per article published in Renewal Magazine.

2017: Sacramento California USA Waldorf School: WiFi will be turned off when not in use starting in Fall 2017.

2017: Fiskars primary school: Wi-fi OFF Switches Installed in the Fiskars primary school. Read press release.

2017: Cyprus Bans Wi-Fi from kindergartens, removes Wi-Fi from elementary classrooms and halts deployment. Original Translated Directive from the Cyprus Minister of Culture and Education ; Read Press release on Cyprus Wi-Fi removal from elementary classrooms

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. Watch Haifa School IT Chief describe how they removed/reduced wireless.

• Read Krayot news article: Haifa Cuts off Wi-Fi in Schools
• Hamodia article: Haifa to Shut School Wireless Networks
• Reshet TV Report
• News Report Israel CH2 Documentary – “How do we kill our self – Radiation” with unofficial English translation
• News Report “Parents Fight Wireless Radiation in Schools” on Supreme Court Case in Israel

2016 Lowell School, Washington DC

• In the kindergarten wing in 2016,  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”.

• News Report Turin could slash Wi-Fi over ‘radiation’ concerns

2016: Onteora School District in New York State USA

• April 20, 2016 Meeting Minutes Page 2.
• District adopts “Best Practices with Wi-Fi stating:
• “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.”
• The Local Newspaper article – “Italian town shuts down wifi over health fears”
• Torino News Article –  “Ivrea, The Mayor Removes WiFi as it Could Be Dangerous”.

2016: Rotokawa School New Zealand, implemented steps to minimize RF Exposure

• After concerns raised about e-learning by a small group of parents from the school, the principal has put some positive procedures in place as follows;1/ Children will use ipads in flight mode
  2/ Children using laptops and Chromebooks will work on the desk top
  3/ Parents may request that their child use an Ethernet cord to access the internet
  4/ Children are taught about the health precautions as part of their cyber citizenship
  5/ Digital learning in the one to one Year 5 & 6 environment is kept to less than 2 hours per school day.

  The principal has also stated there are no plans to increase the existing Wi-Fi coverage at this stage.

Denmark Schools that have removed or reduced wireless exposure

Bjedstrup elementary School og Børnehus, (school and kindergarten) Student must hand over cell phones before classes + no wifi in school premises

Hammer Free Private School – all internet connections are hard wired

Vejlernes private school – no wifi

Kastanjely kindergarten – no wifi

2016: Istituto Comprensivo Alighieri- Diaz in Lecce Italy Banned Wifi

• Official resolutions number 1 and Resolution 2
• 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.

2016: The Piemonte Region has adopted a resolution to limit EMF exposure

• Original Resolution
• Resolution limits the use of wifi in schools and is considerate to the problem of EHS people.

2015: Ashland Public Schools, Mass (USA)  

Ashland is the first school district to vote to enact “Best Practices” in classrooms and publicly post these instructions which include turning off Wi-Fi when not in use and keeping devices in a table, not a lap

News article on these “Best Practices” to turn the WiFi off when not in use,

• Download teacher training PPT slides . Video of parent who initiated this
• Video of school board member discussing the process
• Magazine article on Ashland’s Decision

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

Read the newsletter with details 

WIRELESS RADIATION EXPERT and health researcher Priyanka Bandara, Advisor to the Environmental Health Trust USA and Doctors for Safer Schools, visited Shearwater last week for a series of presentations, to High School students, staff and the wider community, on the documented health effects associated with prolonged exposure to wireless radiation, emitted by devices such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi enabled computers and wireless routers. More. 

Praba Manning, Science Teacher

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. WAMU Report on Wi-Fi removal featuring the Head of School

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

2015: London, Acorn School: Screen Free. Read News article

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

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

2014: Acorn Hill School, Maryland: Reducing exposure to Wi-Fi. In process.

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, Belgium,  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.

Cell Phone Bans in Schools

This list covers bans of cell phones that occurred after the schools found cell phones in classrooms to be distracting and problematic. It is not necessarily because of the radiofrequency and health issues. This is not a complete list but rather a list as stories make the news starting in 2017. Hyperlinks goto news source

Victoria Middle School: Canada

France: Cell Phones totally banned in schools for students up to 14  years old. The ban includes hallways, playgrounds and in between classes.  Read more about French policy here and read the 2017 news article in Le Monde  “No More Phones in Schools and Colleges here” here. The policy will be in place by September 2018.

Israel: Cell Phones were BANNED in  Israel School Classrooms in 2016. Read more here.

Victoria Middle School, Canada, May 2017 Cellphone ban at Victoria middle school pushes the wrong buttons

Mansfield City Schools, Ohio, USA, July 2017 News article “Ohio school district bans student cell phone use.”

• The first of the two new policies bans use of cell phones or other personal communication devices not only in the classroom but also before and after school, at lunch and in between classes. Unless approved by a teacher or administrator, the devices must be “powered completely off” and stored out of sight.

 Portage High in Wisconsin USA: Read the 2017 news article: Portage High bans cellphones | Principal: Policy will be a challenge for everyone and Cellphone ban at Portage High School showing positive impact

Highland Middle School, Illinois USA  Middle schools ban smartphones so students build social smarts

Collinsville IL Middle School, Illinois USA: Read “Metro-east middle school bans students from using cellphones”

Paris Maine Schools News article: Local school implements new cell phone ban

Framington Massachusetts, USA Framingham Middle Schools Ban Cell Phones For 2017-18 School Year

Lakeview High School in Battle Creek  Michigan. Read the 2016  News article, Michigan high school bans cell phones in class

Lewiston Middle School Maine USA, Read  Lewiston Middle School bans student cell phone use and also Lewiston Middle School Principal answers your questions about cell phone ban.

Corona Del Mar Middle School in Newport-Mesa Unified School District California USA 2017 News article, “At Corona del Mar Middle School, kids can’t use cellphones at lunch. The result? They talk.” Old Rochester Regional High School: Massachusetts high school bans cell phones from classrooms

The above US bans are not related to cell phone radiation issues butinstead- the way that cell phones disrupt educations.

Read more about US Schools reducing wireless radiation and schools internationally taking action. Read about PTAs and Unions Taking action on wireless. Read about Firefighters taking action on cell towers.