ON, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
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Summary
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s Vision for 21st Century Teaching & Learning, is to install in all schools, elementary to secondary with WIFI (wireless technology) without consultation with parents. In speaking with a board superintendent, he did not specify the timeline as to when this will happen, but was clear that it will be taking place. A parent was going to present an information night at their children’s school on wifi technology and reported health issues in school environments to parents. This meeting was cancelled by the superintendent with the explanation that this was not a school issue.
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s Vision for 21st Century Teaching & Learning, is to install in all schools, elementary to secondary with WIFI (wireless technology) without consultation with parents. In speaking with a board superintendent, he did not specify the timeline as to when this will happen, but was clear that it will be taking place. A parent was going to present an information night at their children’s school on wifi technology and reported health issues in school environments to parents. This meeting was cancelled by the superintendent with the explanation that this was not a school issue.
The Simcoe Muskoka Public Board has had WIFI (wireless technology) installed in all of their schools for the last several years. There have been children and teachers who have developed health issues as a result. Some parents were forced to remove their children from their schools because of the health impact. Some parents had no choice but to withdraw their children from the public school system wishing to take the precautionary approach.
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board states that they take its direction from various health agencies including Health Canada, and are following guidelines stating that there is no evidence of negative health effects of Wi-Fi.
However, Health Canada has no evidence to prove that Wi-Fi is safe for children, and when other parents from other Boards contacted Health Canada about their concerns especially on their children’s health from wi-fi, Health Canada would not issue a letter stating that wi-fi is safe for pregnant women and children who make up the majority of the school population.
The WIFi systems already in place in other boards are of commercial grade Wi-Fi systems, like the CISCO 3600 series which is going to be installed in the Peel Board, and is 8x stronger than home-style routers. These routers are going to be on 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Depending on the installation of these routers, there will be routers in children’s classrooms.
To inform parents on this issue, an information night on “WIFi in schools – Is It Safe” with guest speaker Rodney Palmer from Simcoe Safe School Committee will take place on June 4th @ Holly Rec Centre in Barrie for 7pm. Parents will learn more about “WiFi – Is it Safe” and have a chance to share their concerns, and begin to take action for the safe learning environments of their children.
Collectively, parents’ voices can be heard by sending an email to your Trustees, MP, and MPP using the C4STs profile sheet. We can make a difference – for the health of our children and to protect their futures.
