Thursday, February 23, 2017

Gaithersburg Parent: "rolling out technology in our schools must be done with health and safety oversight" @DelegateKaiser @SenatorZucker @CherylKagan @JheanelleW @delsheilahixson @EricLuedtke

Too many of us do not fully understand how legislation becomes law and what you do in Annapolis during each a session. I am no different, but I would hate for intimidation to get in the way of expressing my deep passion for passing HB866.

As a parent and PTA president in Montgomery County and an active advocate for shielding children from a.) things they cannot see (like wifi radiation and blue light), and b.) things they should not have to understand at such a young age, HB866 will change everything for our children during the 6+ hours they "live" at school.

The beauty of HB866 is there is nothing objectionable in it. There is no downside.

Computers are arguably very valuable 21st Century learning tools, particularly for those who need an extra push to engage in the learning process. But rolling out technology in our schools must be done with health and safety oversight. Montgomery County Public Schools, for one, lacks that overseeing body.

I have met with Mr. Sherwin Collette, Chief Technology Officer at MCPS. I have spoken with Dr. Andy Zuckerman, Chief Operating Officer at MCPS. I have asked officials within County government.... "Who is making sure these computers aren't hurting the kids?" I have yet to find a person, or an admission, that our childrens' health is being protected from the ill effects of computer use. Meanwhile, radon is being measured and mitigated, and pesticide use is being fully disclosed and carefully deployed.

The known dangers.

There are over 400 peer-reviewed studies that say RF radiation — the kind emitted from laptop computers and overhead routers — causes everything from nausea and headaches to DNA damage and cancer.

Our daughter died of cancer. After her death, I was asked to participate in a study out of the University of Minnesota that analyzed environmental factors surrounding pediatric leukemia cases. It was then that I realized just how many invisible pollutants swirl around our children and how much more vulnerable a population they are than adults. RF radiation is a definite culprit.

The effects of blue light on our childens' eye health is even more conclusive. Retinal damage is inevitable without proper protection. Blue light filters cost about $20. Why wouldn't we outfit all the Chromebooks with these safety mechanisms?

Digital addiction is an undeniable reality that is befalling the Computer Generation. Device use affects the brain much like cocaine. Any parent of teenagers will tell you how real this is. And the research is deep.

Now what?

I don't blame anyone for the severe lack of "tech health" being taught in our schools. It's all so new. But now is the time to complement the technology roll-out with safety measures to go with it.

Please pass HB866 for the kids who are counting on us, and the parents who are counting on you.

Very kindly,

Lisa Cline

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Driving high: MCPS students speak out

It’s 11:30 p.m. Students emerge from the darkness of the Whitman parking lot and head toward their car. Less than an hour ago, everyone in the car, including the driver, took several hits from a bong. Despite their daze, the kids pile into the car, and the driver pulls out into the neighborhood.

This isn’t an uncommon tale for Whitman students. Many students admit to driving while high on marijuana—and a lot of them said they believe it poses almost no risk.

“I didn’t really notice much of a difference,” a senior said. “I was still able to concentrate, and I didn’t really notice it until I got home that I was that high.”...

http://theblackandwhite.net/54865/feature/driving-high-students-speak-out/

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood: "It is critical that medical professionals develop clear, research-based, age-appropriate guidelines for the use of digital devices in schools"

Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood Support for Maryland legislation on Digital Devices by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

School Board Gets Pushback Over Proposal To Eliminate Sibling Link

Gov. Larry Hogan wants live video of legislative sessions

Gov. Larry Hogan wants live video of legislative sessions so badly he said he’s willing to work with lawmakers to address what he said might be their concerns over the use of salty language.

The governor called on the General Assembly to pass his bill that would require both the House and the Senate to provide live-streamed video of all floor sessions and archive those proceedings. Currently, the legislature only provides live audio streams of sessions, though bill hearings in committees are video and audio.

http://thedailyrecord.com/2017/02/22/hogan-offers-seven-second-delay-warning-label-amendments/

Kardaras, who treats screen addictions, said they can be harder than beating a drug addiction, because unlike drugs or alcohol it's virtually impossible not to engage.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
The Canadian Pediatric Society discourages screen-based activities for children under two.
Dr. Grant MacDougall said three hours a day is too much for little kids.
Addictions expert Nicholas Kardaras said parents should wait until kids are at least 10 to expose them to portable screen time.
Kardaras, who treats screen addictions, said they can be harder than beating a drug addiction, because unlike drugs or alcohol it's virtually impossible not to engage.

Warnings about the dangers of excessive screen time on children's brains development

MD Sex Offenders Should Not Be Allowed to Expunge Their Records! @Willcsmithjr

Contact Your Legislators

SUPPORT SB 774 - Criminal Procedure - Petition for Expungement to be heard in March 2, 2017 in the Judicial Proceedings Committee

Sex Offenders Should Not Be Allowed to Expunge Their Records

A last minute amendment grafted onto the Justice Reinvestment Act (JRA) enacted in 2016, scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2017, would have serious negative consequences for the safety and well being of Maryland’s children, as well other vulnerable populations. Prior to JRA, the only convictions eligible for expungement were convictions for a few specified public nuisance crimes, such as loitering and vagrancy. The JRA, however, as a result of the amendment, now includes a provision that , according to the Daily Record, “would dramatically expand the number of crimes eligible for expungement” to at least one hundred and thirteen crimes -- three times more if attempted crimes, conspiracy or solicitation for each offense is counted. Little, if any, attention was given at the time to the public safety implications of certain specific crimes permitted to be expunged or the impact of these expungements on criminal history records checks used to screen those who work with or have access to children, the elderly and those with disabilities. It should be noted that in its consensus report, the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council never recommended any expungements.

SB 774 (http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/sb/sb0774f.pdf) would exempt from expungement convictions for second degree assault when the victim of the offense was disabled, a vulnerable adult, or a minor. In addition, it would preclude the expungement of convictions under section 11-306a of the Criminal Law Article which involve the prostitution of children. The bill lists all the crimes to be expunged after ten years by section number without the name of the crime .

Second-degree assault, section 3-203 0f the Criminal Law Article, a crime against a person, is deemed to be a violent crime in a list in one section of Maryland law. It is important to know that a conviction for second degree assault against anyone is in and of itself is troubling. It is especially troubling if an individual committed the crime against a vulnerable person or a child. Most disturbing is that second degree assault, a nonsexual crime, it is all too often a plea bargain down from a serious sexual crime. These plea bargains allow sex offenders to avoid registration.

To illustrate, a Montgomery County elementary school teacher pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree assault after originally being charged with 11 felony counts of child sexual abuse. Ultimately, he did not have to register as a sex offender or serve jail time. (WJLA.com December 2, 2013- Tim Krupica pleads guilty to assault, has sentence suspended)

To obliterate all records regarding a sex offender’s conviction for second degree assault, including underlying sexual assault/abuse charges, allows the sex offender to completely obscure his record and, thus, precludes the ability of schools, day care centers, and camps, nursing homes and nonprofits who serve the disabled, etc. from adequately screening individuals who apply for these sensitive positions. The state of Maryland has an obligation, first and foremost, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, not destroy the records of those who pose a danger to them .

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of Maryland Children. If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Mugmon ellen.mugmon@gmail.com

Please contact committee members with the message that they should SUPPORT SB 774 - Criminal Procedure - Petition for Expungement.

The Baltimore Sun published a letter about this: http://www.baltimoresun.com/nes/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-expunge-letter-20160613-story.html)

MARYLAND SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE PHONE AND EMAILS:

Baltimore County

Robert A. (Bobby) Zirkin, Chair (D-11)

Phone: (410) 841-3131 | (301) 858-3131

E-mail: bobby.zirkin@senate.state.md.us

James Brochin (D-42)

Phone: (410) 841-3648 | (301) 858-3648

E-mail: jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us

Delores G. Kelley, Vice Chair (D-10)

Phone: (410) 841-3606 | (301) 858-3606

E-mail: delores.kelley@senate.state.md.us

Carroll County

Justin D. Ready (R-5)

Phone: (410) 841-3683 | (301) 858-3683

E-mail: justin.ready@senate.state.md.us

Carroll & Frederick Counties

Michael J. Hough (R-4)

Phone: (410) 841-3704 | (301) 858-3704

E-mail: michael.hough@senate.state.md.us

Cecil & Harford Counties

Wayne Norman (R-35)

Phone: (410) 841-3603 | (301) 858-3603

E-mail: wayne.norman@senate.state.md.us

Harford County

Robert G. Cassilly (R-34)

Phone: (410) 841-3158 | (301) 858-3158

E-mail: bob.cassilly@senate.state.md.us

Montgomery County

Susan C. Lee (D-16)

Phone: (410) 841-3124 | (301) 858-3124

E-mail: susan.lee@senate.state.md.us

William C. (Will) Smith, Jr. (D-20)

Phone: (410) 841-3634 | (301) 858-3634

E-mail: will.smith@senate.state.md.us

Prince George's County

C. Anthony Muse (D-26)

Phone: (410) 841-3092 | (301) 858-3092

E -mail: anthony.muse@senate.state.md.us

Victor R. Ramirez (D-47)

Phone: (410) 841-3745 | (301) 858-3745

Principles

Formed in 2002, the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland seeks to achieve the goals of coherent, content-rich curriculum standards; high expectations combined with timely remediation and acceleration; a wider range of educational options for parents and children; greater transparency and accountability; and meaningful community input.

E-mail: parentscoalitionmc AT outlook.com

What The Washington Post said about the Parents' Coalition

The coalition might be the best-known parent advocacy group in the region. Its members represent several constituencies, including parents of special education and gifted education students and fiscal watchdogs. The group's defining victory came this school year when the school system scaled back the fees charged to families for course materials.

Coalition leaders have drawn attention to the misuse of funds collected from students for activities, the broadcast of a commercial radio service on school buses and, with their "Weast Watch" blog, the travel habits of Weast and his lieutenants.

The Washington Post, June 4, 2009

Jerry Weast on the Parents' Coalition

"Along the way, you’ve had a challenging relationship with the Parents’ Coalition, the network of citizen activists who use the political process and other means to hold MCPS accountable.

The thing people accuse me of is listening, but not hearing. I hear, but I do not always agree. I am sorry that the world is faster than it was 10 years ago. I did not do that. [But] if we do not keep up, then our kids will be behind. We have to stop whining and get real."

Bethesda Magazine, March-April 2011