I have had a busy inbox this past weekend. Concerns over two topics protecting rights ( moral rights) and wi-fi top the list. Opinions vary in a variety of camps showing that divergent opinion exists openly.
I understand this week the CBC will be running a news story on Wi-Fi. The content of which I do not know, other than the Chair of the Board Brad Saunders was interviewed for the spot to provide the school board’s position. The Chair of the Board is the only person empowered by board by-laws to speak for the collective Board.
I can only speak personally. I sincerely believe that the scientific information presented to myself as a Board member supports the safety of Wi-Fi in the classroom and I support the current IT strategic plan. The direction was developed over the past two years, with extensive public consultation. Wi-Fi is an integral part of the backbone of this plan.
I also recognize the right of the public to free speech, and respect citizens’ rights to bring forward information and concerns – whether on moral education, Wi-Fi or any other issue a delegation considers important. Each deserves to be respected and publicly discussed and reviewed. At the end, the Board must make a decision. Therefore, tomorrow, the wireless will be on and the current moral education policy will be in effect within the SCDSB.
Update: Link to CBC newsreport Sept. 08 2010
revised: 9/6/10 10:42
updated: 9/9/10 12:12
Ms. Smith,
I sincerely hope you did indeed watch the excellent piece on CBC. If you did, I would find it hard to believe that there is not even a little doubt in your mind (or any of the Trustee’s) in the effectiveness of Health Canada’s Safety Code 6. I found this follow up comment to CBC’s story to be very telling as it’s from an educator:
Regards,
Stephen Emo
As soon as I educated myself about this issue, I removed all wireless computers and banned cell phones in our school. We can’t afford to harm our children in the name of convenience or through ignorance, and we can’t afford to wait for the slow wheels of bureaucracy to catch up to the needs of our children’s health.
Kristin Cassie, Principal
Roots and Wings Montessori School
Surrey, BC
I did watch the CBC story you are referring to, there is a link is at the bottom of the post. I too thought it was good although I would have liked to heard a detailed explanation of the physics. It appeared from the video that the provincial government was forwarding on concerns to the federal government.