Students’ Rights
Read more about students’ rights and their importance for a free society.
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic Turf (March 2015)
[Updated March 18, 2015] The following open letter is prompted by several stories in the Express-Timesand Morning Call reporting that almost all of our high schools already have synthetic turf fields (as do most colleges and universities in the Lehigh Valley)—and the few … more
Precautionary Principle in Wellness Policies
To build an environment that truly supports health & wellness, we need to recognize that we sometimes need to make decisions before health impacts or safety concerns can be definitively proven or disproven. Where human health is involved, it is … more
Healthy Lunchtime Environment
Ideally, meals at school should do more than provide food that meets minimum nutrition requirements. In addition to supporting students’ physical health, we think meals should: be a part of students’ learning experience allow sufficient time for students to enjoy … more
Sources & Links for More Information on Synthetic Turf
Following are the principal sources we used to prepare these pages, with updated information added as it becomes available. Reports, Fact Sheets, & Scientific Studies Athletic Playing Fields and Artificial Turf: Considerations for Municipalities and Institutions [PDF]. Toxics Use Reduction Institute … more
Play It Safe – for athletes, parents, and institutions
The following recommendations are based on understanding the risks created by playing on or near synthetic turf. Compiled from advice on several health & sport-specific sites, they can help reduce — but not eliminate — some of the serious health … more
Sustainability Questions for Students & Educators
To make good decisions about sustainability, people need to know the facts. Here are some questions that have arisen and might be suitable for class projects or independent study: What steps can local & county government take to produce immediate reductions in … more
What Is the Military Doing in Your School?
Schools are supposed to help children learn, but too many schools simply reinforce unquestioning obedience and respect for the powers that be—and some schools support the military recruiting machine against the educational and personal interests of their students. Recruiters in … more
Why Students’ Rights Are So Important
Although some schools act as if the Bill of Rights doesn’t apply to students in school, the Supreme Court of the U.S. has made clear that it does apply. In many schools right here in the Lehigh Valley, students are denied … more
Students’ Rights in Pennsylvania
Lehigh ValleyThe U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions guarantee certain rights, and most of them apply to students in public schools. The Pennsylvania School Code and the federal Equal Access Act spell out some additional rights for public-school students. For instance, students … more