Forced from School: EHS Kids-Legal Fund

Forced from School: EHS Kids-Legal Fund

We just posted our online fundraising account!

Pay Pal at http://www.gofundme.com/35u6i4

The Sooke School District #62 (BC) has denied the appeal of three young children with an environmental intolerance, medically known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). EHS is caused by exposure to Wi-Fi (wireless internet) and other devices emitting microwave, radio frequency radiation. Symptoms commonly associated with microwave sickness include headaches, fast heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, concentration and memory problems, anxiety, sleep disorders, extreme fatigue, tremors, reoccurring infection, impaired immune function, skin rash, facial flushing, abdominal pain, nosebleeds, ringing in the ears, and more.

Since there is currently NO school in Sooke School District that is free of Wi-Fi networks, these children have been forced to leave not only their respective schools but the district as well. The parents have formally brought the issue forward, without success, to every level within the school system. Despite their doctors' written requests for the children to avoid Wi-Fi emissions, their medical circumstances have been consistently ignored and denied by the school district. At this time, the parents are appealing their district's decision to the BC Ministry of Education so that their children will be able to return to school.

An attorney specializing in this field has been engaged to represent the concerned families in this appeal process. The projected cost of legal fees is estimated at $5,000. Your donations will help to fund this important legal challenge.  If accommodation is achieved through this appeal process, it will be a precedent-setting case for other school districts across our province and country. 

We appreciate all donations big and small and thank you for your support!

Send Cheques

c/o: ‘Parents for Safe Schools’

PO BOX 28154, WEST SHORE RPO,

VICTORIA, BC, V9B 6K8

Add to memo line: ‘EHS Kids- legal fund’

Email contact: parentsforsafeschools@gmail.com

www.citizensforsafetechnology.org

‘The Impact of Screen Media On Children: A Eurovision For Parliament’- by Dr. Aric Sigman

To all who have a vested interest in the health and education of our children

Please take the time to read this short report entitled ‘The Impact of Screen Media On Children: A Eurovision For Parliament’, by Dr. Aric Sigman, Health Education Lecturer, Fellow of the Society of Biology, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Recipient of the Science Council’s Chartered Scientist award.

Report:
- http://www.ecswe.org/downloads/publications/QOC-V3/Chapter-4.pdf (17 pages)

This didactic report contains pertinent research data and expert statements that greatly contributes to better understanding of the cognitive and physical impacts to children with ever increasing use of technology at younger and younger ages and how it manifests in developmental delays and deleterious health effects later in life.

Excerpts:

“The EU discusses many aspects of its citizens’ lives. Yet the main waking activity of Europeans– watching screen media – has never been thought of as an issue requiring parliamentary consideration…But screen time is no longer merely a cultural issue about how children spend their leisure time. Screen time has now become a medical issue. Research published in the world’s most reputable medical and scientific journals shows that the sheer amount of time children spend watching TV, DVDs, computers and the internet is linked with significant measurable biological changes in their bodies and brains that may have significant medical consequences. Given that children undergoing key stages of development are spending increasingly large parts of their lives watching screen media, the EU must take a serious interest and establish a view on the matter. The following will provide the reasons why”.

“By ignoring the growing body of evidence linking screen time with child health we may ultimately be responsible for the greatest health scandal of our time...Screen time must now be considered a major public health issue and reducing screen time must become the new priority for child health”.

Please note the BC Government endorses/funds ‘Action Schools BC’, website found at:
- http://www.actionschoolsbc.ca/Images/Top%20Menu/Complimentary%20Support%20Services%202012-2013.pdf (See #1)
and
‘Screen Smart Schools’ found at:
- http://www.screensmartschools.ca/

funding by:
- http://www.actionschoolsbc.ca/Content/Info%20Centre/ASBC%20Funding%20Partners.asp

These health initiatives use the formula 5-2-1-0 as a successful model to follow. The ‘2‘ signifies the max number of hours in relation to screen time advised for children to maintain healthy habits; however, this is contradictory to the BC government’s “21 Century Learning” education plan that promotes wireless networks and technology as a cornerstone to children’s learning.

Question: With so many experts in child health and development advising much stricter limits on children’s ‘screen time’, why is there an overwhelming push from school administrators to increase the use of technology in schools, making it impossible to heed recommendations such as that by endorsed by our provincial government?

Please consider sharing this info with other parents, educators, school and health officials and/or posting this expert report and ‘Actions Schools BC’ links to share with the the public.

Tammy Jeske
Nurse/Mother of EHS child/Parent Advocate for Safe Schools
- www.safeinschool.org
- www.citizensforsafetechnology.org

Another great document pertaining to children and technology:

Wireless Technologies and Young People (microwave radiation and risk to children):
- http://www.wifiinschools.org.uk/resources/wireless+technologies+and+young+people+Jan2011.pdf