tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82564333659559744792024-02-07T21:02:10.523-08:00The Galileo GroupThe Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-87304776434909123122010-10-23T01:19:00.000-07:002010-10-25T00:44:00.713-07:00Are humans really the cleverest primates?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeIfRvK7rZYWXdTcRE1tnpRvuEITSGgmrU7gJcgFTugVamNLbzj_h37c2fLrGcmRYHo4hSHaBIEokvcNe1ncozYSbAunGhdHlfCBT1RYomXv3nROsnrhdb0Y7BJP3jAKruasQQlZ-1fw/s1600/Very_Protective_Orangutans+(1).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeIfRvK7rZYWXdTcRE1tnpRvuEITSGgmrU7gJcgFTugVamNLbzj_h37c2fLrGcmRYHo4hSHaBIEokvcNe1ncozYSbAunGhdHlfCBT1RYomXv3nROsnrhdb0Y7BJP3jAKruasQQlZ-1fw/s320/Very_Protective_Orangutans+(1).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531153413789857330" /></a>Conservationists working with orang-outangs tell us they believe that they may be the most intelligent primate after humans.<div><br /></div><div>The protective instinct of the females towards their young is especially inspiring to see. These wonderful forest dwellers are also intimately in tune with their natural habitat and acutely aware of any possible threats to their families.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly we, as a society, seem to have lost this primal instinct. We seem oblivious to the world we're creating and the poisons we're rapidly polluting our only home with.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's profoundly ironic that Chameleons Montessori is so named because you won't find any chameleons on Nitida wine farm, of that I'm certain. <a href="http://www.peopleandplanet.net/?lid=26622&topic=27&section=42">Here's a brief article that explains why</a>, it's obvious really. They simply can't survive in that environment.</div><div><br /></div><div>P.s. </div><div>It seems I'm not the only one to notice an apparent decline in the chameleon population. <a href="http://www.simplygreen.co.za/local-stories/earth-and-animals/chameleons.html">A few local stories here</a> provide food for thought.</div><div><br /></div><div>Amazingly, someone has actually done a brief survey to see if chameleons are common in vineyards. Apparently they are pretty scarce on the farm that was surveyed. I reckon chameleons know what's good for them. <a href="http://www.wosa.co.za/sa/sustainable_short_communication.php"> The study can be read here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div> The Cape Dwarf Chameleon is now a CITES protected endangered species.</div>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-80864621950726066102010-10-22T01:16:00.000-07:002010-10-22T01:45:21.143-07:00My reply to Mr Bailes comments to the Rapport newspaperAs parents of children at Chameleons Montessori school will know, their PTA and Environmental committee representative, Mr Brendan Bailes, is unhappy with the negative reporting on the schools handling of the issue of possible pesticide contamination of the school premises and the children.<div><br /></div><div>He recently wrote to the Rapport newspaper to argue his case and to demand a fairer representation. A copy of this letter was sent to those parents still sending their children to the school. A kind and thoughtful soul forwarded me a copy for my comments.</div><div><br /></div><div>One issue he seems very upset about is the fact I'm not concentrating on any other schools in similar situations. He seems to think I'm being very unfair by only concentrating on Chameleons. To be frank I find this argument incredibly pathetic and childlike. It the sort of thing I sometimes hear from my teenage son when I scold him for something and he responds by saying " what about Joel? he's also doing it...!!" ..and walks off in a sulk.</div><div><br /></div><div>My argument and disagreement is with the Chameleons Montessori because I maintain that their lack of care and the suppression of honest discussion last year coupled with their misrepresentation of the truth regarding what the Dept. of Health actually reported may have prolonged my son's exposure in an environment I now regard as being unsafe.</div><div><br /></div><div> I believe this group of people betrayed our trust and did not act with our children's interest as the first priority. The school made decisions and evaluations regarding the possible risks to my child that they had absolutely no qualification to make. Neither did they have my authority to make these decisions without my informed consent. They actively tried to suppress the spread of any information that might have given parents cause for concern. They had no right to do this and I consider this profoundly dishonest. I will continue to hold them accountable for their failure to act appropriately.</div><div><br /></div><div>I submitted my own letter to the editor of the rapport on the 20 October 2010. I don't know whether it will be published so I post it here as a record of my position against the school policy and actions.</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: center;"></p></div><blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">20 Oct 2010<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Re: Children and Pesticides <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dear Editor<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I write to congratulate you and your newspaper for having the courage and integrity to investigate the matter of possible pesticide exposure of children attending the Montessori School on Nitida wine farm outside Durbanville. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe that as the true situation, and the limitation of what we can reliable say about the safety of these poisons, becomes more widely known and understood no reasonable parent will willingly expose their children to such unnecessary risks.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the 27 May 2010 Professor Leslie London (of The School of Public Health & Family Medicine at UCT) , a leading expert on this matter, addressed parents at Chameleons Montessori School. In his talk Prof. London goes to great length to show why we cannot assume there is no risk present and why it is that we know so little about the possible dangers these chemicals pose. He also pointed out the critical weakness in the present legislation especially in regard to the protection of children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The full transcript of his talk can be read on the internet at: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://galileogroup.blogspot.com/2010/10/transcript-of-talk-given-by-prof-l.html">http://galileogroup.blogspot.com/2010/10/transcript-of-talk-given-by-prof-l.html</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Schools position after listening to everything Prof. London had to say was expressed by Mr Dave D'Aguiar of the Financial Steering Committee. Despite everything that had been explained Mr D’Aguiar responded with; “From what I am hearing tonight, I do not see a risk, I’m sorry”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The following is taken from a recent email (2 July 2010) from the school to parents explaining the schools policy and actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"On 21 April 2009 Emma approached the school’s environmental health Inspector (Gerrit Van Wyk) for assistance in the investigation. The school provided Gerrit with the list of sprays used on Nitida . Mr Van Wyk came back to the school in May and confirmed that the Toxicology Dept at Tygerberg confirmed that there is no long term effects of exposure to the sprays."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, when we examined the email that Mr Van Wyk actually sent we find he said something quite different. This is quoted directly from his emails as provided by the school.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“The Toxicology Dept. Tygerberg informed me that there is no information/evidence of the effects of long term exposure to these poisons"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“We can however </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">not say that long term exposure to these poisons will not be harmful</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to a person."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a further email from Mr van Wyk written in May 2010 he adds the following; “"acute exposure may cause skin and respiratory irritation, but that there is no information and evidence of what long term exposure to these chemicals may cause."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I take the view that the school has, either though ignorance or deliberate misinformation, mislead parents as to the reality of the risks their children may be exposed to at Chameleons Montessori. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It has been made abundantly clear that the present regulation of pesticides does not in any meaningful way provide adequate protection to our children yet the school insists on only referring to data as provided by the dept. of Agriculture and the distributors of these poisons. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any independent data or research seems to be ignored. Members of the Galileo Group have on various occasions presented the school with published scientific and medical research that specifically shows that a number of the chemicals used routinely on Nitida have been shown to be carcinogenic and toxic in various other ways also. Parents are still told that there is no evidence of any risks.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The school has been operating at Nitida for about 5 years now, I believe. At no point in the past has any attempt been made by the owners to establish whether the premises are safe from contamination nor have any significant safety procedures been followed. That the school is now taking some small steps to address the situation at least allows a degree of discussion on the matter. It should be pointed out that the fact the school is now at least acknowledging the issue is entirely due to the actions of concerned parents and the Galileo Group.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In closing I would offer a challenge to the representatives of the pesticide manufacturers and distributors. Instead of you claiming there is no proof that these chemicals may cause harm to our children why not show us some of the research and evidence you have that clearly proves your assertion that they are safe? Surely if, as you keep telling us, you know these poisons are not a risk you must have some good evidence to prove this. What research have you done to ensure you are not inadvertently negatively affecting our children’s health and lives? We’d very much like to see your proof, after all, you are the ones with all the scientists working for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ford Hallam<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-3216352518732561132010-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:002010-10-21T15:24:55.565-07:00Chameleons Montessori School battles on regardless....I've just been reading through an email sent out to parents of children at Chameleons that outlines their plans for 2011.<div><br /></div><div>Personally I find it a bit premature that they've got all sorts of exciting plans to boost the numbers of students there when, as yet, we still have no idea what the results of the testing procedures will be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Surely it would be prudent to wait to find out whether they can in fact claim there is no contamination of the school premises and that children are not being exposed to these poisons before dragging in another batch of unknowing customers? </div><div><br /></div><div>The school has finally, 5 years after starting at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nitida</span>, been forced to acknowledge the possibility that there may be a danger posed by these chemicals and has said it is doing some testing to discover the reality of the situation. I haven't been able to get anyone to confirm that anything is actually been done as yet but we wait in hope. In the meantime though, the management of the school seems mainly concerned with making up the numbers lost due to people leaving over fears of possible pesticide exposure.</div><div><br /></div><div> To me it all seems to demonstrate what many of us have come to expect from the school. Come what may and regardless of whatever evidence and facts are presented they will not be moved. All we can hope for is that people with no vested interests there will see the obvious potential for harm and not put their children in such an obviously risky situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's also somewhat odd that while one of the teachers who've tendered their resignation is mentioned and wished well, the other, the actual <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">directress</span> of the primary school, is not mentioned at all. All we are told is;</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); ">We will use 2011 to source a dynamic Senior Primary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Directress</span> to recreate this class again when we are ready.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>It's quite sad that this is how the school treats anyone who, for perfectly legitimate reasons, decides to leave them. From what I understand this lady practically created the primary school single-handedly as neither the principle nor her sister had the qualifications nor experience to do the job themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div>The following is taken from the schools inappropriately optimistic email<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of 11 October 2010</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><b style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; "><u style="line-height: 20px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "></span></u></b></p><blockquote><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><b style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; "><u style="line-height: 20px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pre</span>-school: Development Plans for 2011</span></u></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); ">Our two current <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pre</span>-school classes (Butterflies & Ladybirds) are already full for 2011. As part of our strategic plan, as well as due to increasing demand, we intend introducing a third <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pre</span>-school class which will be situated at the Primary Campus in the room currently being used by our Senior Primary Class. Filling this additional class is already underway with only 12 more enrolments needed to have a full compliment for 2011.</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><b style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; "><u style="line-height: 20px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); ">The Year Ahead</span></u></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); ">We remain very enthusiastic and inspired for the year ahead. With this plan we will increase our Chameleons enrolment to 112 children across all campuses – our highest ever!! We are confident that our strategic plan is well grounded and will meet the needs of all our 2011 families.</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); ">2011 will be a year of stability, growth and further development in all aspects of Chameleons and we look forward to the re-introduction of our Senior primary class again in the near future as this remains an integral part of the future development of the school.</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><br /></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><p></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><br /></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><br /></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><p></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "></span></p><blockquote></blockquote><br /><p></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "></span></p><blockquote></blockquote><br /><p></p><p></p></blockquote><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 17px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); "></span></p><p></p></div>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-67695670334920899422010-10-19T22:36:00.000-07:002010-10-21T22:52:45.546-07:00Transcript of the talk given By Prof: L. London at Chameleons Montessori School 27 May 2010<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The following transcript was made of the DVD recording of the talk Prof. London gave at the Chameleons School on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">27 May 2010.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">There are a few minutes missing here and there as the audio was not clear enough to accurately hear what was being said but I believe we've managed to record practically everything of consequence that was discussed at that meeting. Where necessary I have summarised what was said to provide context and only directly quoted those parts we could accurately hear.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">When time allows I will add some additional commentary that may help provide some context to some of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">comments</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> made by members of the schools financial </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">steering</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> committee and the principle and owners of the school.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> I have added a time reference so that anyone with a copy of the DVD may check the accuracy of what I've transcribed. We can also make copies available should anyone be interested to hear this talk for themselves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The DVD begins with a brief welcome etc.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">4:10<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Brendon Bailes ( Environmental Committee) mentioned groundwater tests that had been done.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“phosphates and all that stuff and there’s none so that clears that up”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Comment: Mr Bailes seems to either simply not understand what Mr Veller told him regarding the actual tests that were carried out or he is deliberately misrepresenting the true situation here. I documented the details and proved the evidence in a previous post</i></span>,<a href="http://galileogroup.blogspot.com/2010/06/ground-water-testing-at-nitida-wine_20.html"> here.</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">5:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Brendon Bailes talks of testing the children for cholinesterase to prove they are not being affected by sprays etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><i>Comment: One has to wonder why Mr Bailes was suggesting this particular test as it will only reveal if a person has been exposed to organophosphates and we had already been assured by Mr Veller that none were used on the farm. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> He told us he'd spoken at length with the makers of the test, Pathcare. I spoke with a Mr Cor Alber at Pathcare also and he confirmed that there can be no confusion about the tests application. The suggestion that the children be tested in this way was never the less still mentioned in the Environmental Committee's next meeting's minutes despite Prof. London pointing out it was inappropriate and a detailed email from myself also. </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Again, either Mr Bailes didn't understand what he's talking about or he was proposing a test that was guaranteed to show a negative result and would create the false impression that something had been tested and all was safe.</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">9:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London tells us cholinesterase tests will not be helpful in our situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">9:49<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London <b>“the problem is one of long term exposure and accumulative effect”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">10:47 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London speaks about the fact that there is little data available on many of the pesticides relating to various health issues. <b>He states that the absence of evidence is not evidence that the is no evidence, merely that it’s not been investigated as yet. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">12:51<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Mention of a tree barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>8-10 metres beyond the barrier may be safe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Buffer zone of 10 metres. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">15:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London “ there’s lack of human resources in Gov Dept.s<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>also, the best toxicologists probably work for the chemical manufacturers”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">16:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London “chemicals must be applied in accordance with the safety data labels, if not the SAPS must arrest …(the persons not following the law?)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">17:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London <b>“just because the pesticide is used in accordance with the law doesn’t mean it is safe”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">17:20<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: re: absorption through the skin in the sandpit?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - Yes, if there is any deposit the level of absorption will vary etc.. The skin in the main route for absorption.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">21:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London talks about Mancozeb - not acutely toxic, cancer causing, endocrine disrupter, it’s thought to have an effect on development aspects and cause adult fertility problems, long term effects not known yet, no definitive answer yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">24:15<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London “the problem regarding risk assessment is we just don’t have sufficient data to make reliable extrapolation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The precautionary approach would be to aim at reducing the exposure as much as possible“.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">27:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Would washing down the sandpit after spraying help?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - Water is not the solution, a cover could help.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">27:40<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Obviously trees will take a long time to grow so would it help to put up a<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>shade cloth along the border where the spray is most prevalent ie. Pre primary? Could be a temporary solution?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - you would need to ask an environmental engineer - it might work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">28:50<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Is taking the children out of school when they spray of any use?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - keeping children away ( while spraying) isn’t much use if there is any deposit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">32:25<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Is it worth testing the grass etc for traces of chemicals?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof London offered to provide contact details of suitable labs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">33:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Prof London was asked his opinion regarding the severity of the risk and whether he would send his kids to the school.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - I can’t answer that question but my answer to you would be<b>, if I were to build a school I wouldn’t build it on a farm , just to be safe.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">35:50<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Emma Medell (Principal) - Just for the record, I don’t know if everybody is aware of what <b>our policy is in the school, that if there is vine spraying the children don’t go outside to play.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are kept indoors while the spraying is going on and then for 2 hours afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There have been criticisms about how healthy it is in the middle of summer for the children to be kept indoors so <u>the windows are open for some fresh, for some a</u>ir.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are not all wide open but there are windows open so there is some fresh air. </b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So that’s kind of where it stands so they are protected by the building at that stage and for 2 hours thereafter….. And spraying down the outside after, the hosing down afterwards outside……. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof London - If you do go the route of doing some environmental samples, them you could actually base your policy on some evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Dave D’Aguair (School Business Steering Committee) - Do you have any sort of idea what costs might be incurred doing some test?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: re risk of breakdown product and residues.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - <b>very unusual for any sort of agricultural spray activity not to result in a certain amount of residue and contamination and run off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wouldn’t believe a study that said there was nothing….it doesn’t make sense….it gets into the environment.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">41:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Prof L - There could be a possibility of a student of Prof London doing some air quality studies.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">45:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Is it safe when there is no spraying?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - It all depends whether there are any residues in the soil and surfaces.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">46:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bernard Veller (Owner of Nitida wine farm) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">rejects organic approach involving CuSO4 as “it’s the most toxic, toxic stuff you can come across!” equated Mancozeb with CuSO4 because both are heavy metals.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">50:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Could any chemicals on the spray list be directly linked to, for example, bronchitis and leaky bowel syndrome or any such sickness?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof London - Bronchitis is ….<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>????<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>…..<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But bronchitis would not necessarily be an obvious indication.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some pesticides can cause allergies and asthma. With regard to leaky bowel, I don’t think a pesticide can cause a structural defect.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: About how quick does the irritants effects show?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - typically fairly quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: (By Claire referring to Albe‘s circumstance ) So it’s not likely that if say the last spraying was in January, come September you get sick it’s not likely you could link it to the spraying?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Comment: It should be pointed out here that the spraying recommences in September. this fact seems lost on Claire.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof London now refers to Asthma, although it appears Claire believes he is referring to Albe‘s condition - “it was more likely caused by pollen or house mites“.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">52:07<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: why would you not put a school on a farm?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L <b>- “There is always a degree of uncertainty, we can’t prove something is safe only that it’s harmful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you have a choice you could have a school somewhere else.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Think about things like deposition on the soil.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The precautionary principle is that if there is an air of risk and you can’t quantify that risk, you would take precautionary action.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: why can’t we quantify the risk?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - in the registration, <b>I think there is certain information lacking but even if it was perfect I think that with the particular exposure you have now there are too many assumptions you have to make</b>. There are too any assumptions and the evidence and literature about the hazards of many chemicals are not available.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">56:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: Due to the lack of evidence and research, should we rather move the school?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Dave D’Aguair - Excuse me, but that’s no reason to move the school.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the greatest respect it’s far easier to remove one child from the school because I don’t see a risk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Claire - but that’s what the tests might show us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Dave - Then that’s our proof, we go do the tests, we spend R20,000 and then we’ve got some evidence we can go on.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">59:00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Concerns over chronic health risks regarding fungicides raised.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">59:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q; about the other parts of a compound not the active ingredients.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof London explains how the inert compound in a formulation, which is not required to be indicated in the registration, can be more of a risk than the active ingredient.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Roundup used as an example where all the inerts are unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Testing will only reveal specifically what you test for.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Q: re symptoms we might expect from exposure?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A: Prof L - Any inhaled agent can cause respiratory symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So it might be it comes across like a cold but it’s actually the reaction to some irritants in the upper respiratory tract.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Organophosphates can actually mimic flu if there is low exposure, but there is no organophosphates being used on this farm. It can present like headaches, dizziness and upper respiratory track symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The other problem that might arise are skin complaints, skin irritations or allergies, sometimes because the pesticides are deposited on the skin and absorbed through the skin. The neurological effects are very subtle about memory, cognition, speed of reaction and children we can measure through development test.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Effects that are known are generally for adults, they might be different for children”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-77003437039116533052010-07-05T23:13:00.000-07:002010-09-12T04:16:06.972-07:00Chameleons Montessori school continues to see things just as it suits them.<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" >Last Friday, 2 July 2010, I received the long awaited report of the schools investigations into the spraying issue. I assume all parents have now been sent the same email.<br /><br />The email is accompanied by 11 individual attachments that are intended to back up the schools commentary. It is quite a hassle to actually get to any specific annexure so I don't suppose many people will have the time to go though all the supporting evidence. Much if what is provided is not all that relevant in any case.<br /><br />What is of major concern, though, is the content of the emails that passed between the school and the Dept of Health. The school advised us that a Mr Gerrit Van Wyk, of the Dept. of Health, had been contacted regarding the chemicals used on the farm.<br /><br />The following quotes are all taken from the documents the school sent out last Friday.<br /><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" >the following from Emma Medell to Mr Van Wyk, 21 April 2009</span></b><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-US" ><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-US" ><blockquote>"I would please like some feedback from you as to whether these sprays are in fact safe to the children. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We have been re-assured by both the farmer and the supplier that the sprays are not harmful</span>, but parents would like further re-assurance from a neutral source. "</blockquote></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">the reply from Mr Van Wyk, 7 May 2009<br /></p><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" ></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" ></span><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" >"Emma - sorry for the delay, but I am waiting on a Mr. Chris Cummings of Croplife S. A. that deals with the poisons, to get back to me. The Toxicology Dept. Tygerberg informed me that there is <span style="font-weight: bold;">no information/evidence of the effects of long term exposure to these poisons"<br /></span></span><br /></blockquote><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ><br />Croplife is an association that represents the interests of the chemical manufacturers and distributors. Personally speaking I can't see how Mr Cummings can therefore be regarded as having an unbiased opinion. A brief internet search will reveal that Mansanto, for example, has a less then shining reputation when it comes to reporting scientific evidence and the true effects of it's chemical products. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto">See here for more details.</a> Would you trust this corporation with your child's health?<br /><br />a further email from Mr Van Wyk, 20 May 2009</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-US" ><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" >"I spoke to Dr. Else Trautman of the Department of Agriculture who directed me to Chris Cumming of Croplife SA. Mr. Cumming was also involved in a similar case in, I think, Riebeeck Kasteel. According to him the farmers are in their full right to spray these poisons as long as they conform to the requirements of Act 36 of 1937. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We can however not say that long term exposure to these poisons will not be harmful to a person."</span></span></span></blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The following is taken from the recently issued report, from the school. 2 July 2010</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"On 21 April 2009 Emma approached the school’s environmental health Inspector (Gerrit Van Wyk) for assistance in the investigation. The school provided Gerrit with the list of sprays used on Nitida . <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mr Van Wyk came back to the school in May and confirmed that the Toxicology Dept at Tygerberg confirmed that there is no long term effects of exposure to the sprays."</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ></span></blockquote><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ><br />One doesn't need a degree in English to see the error in Emma's interpretation here. Whether this is due to ignorance or is an attempt to deliberately mislead parents would probably be for a court to decide. However, Emma reports exactly the opposite of what Mr Van Wyk actually wrote, that much is a fact.<br /><br />I'm left wondering, now that this misrepresentation has been revealed, whether this glaring contradiction at the centre of the school's policy isn't the real reason it's taken so long for this evidence of the schools investigations to be shared with us. Personally speaking, if I'd been presented with the truth regarding what Mr Van Wyk had told the school I think I would have begun my own investigations last May.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ><br />The following assurance is taken from the schools report, 2 July 2010<br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"Emma conferred with Gerit Van Wyk (of Environmental Health ) after the meeting(18 August 2009) and he said that he was satisfied that the school was acting responsibly.( Annexure 6)."</blockquote><br /><br />The letter referred to here ( annexure 6) was only written in May 2010 and in fact does not in any way state that Mr Van Wyk was satisfied that the school was acting responsibly. Nothing of the sort was written at all. It merely states that Mr Van Wyk agreed that the proposed safety measure be implemented. This is not the same thing as saying he was satisfied the school was acting responsibly at all nor does it even suggest these proposed measures were adequate.<br /><br />Mr Van Wyk also re-stated his previous comment;<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"acute exposure may cause skin and respiratory irritation, but that there is no information and evidence of what long term exposure to these chemicals may cause."</span><br /></blockquote></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Having spoken with Mr Van Wyk it seems to me that despite his repeated attempts to impress upon the school the uncertainty regarding the ultimate safety of long term exposure to these chemicals the school prefers to interpret things as it sees fit.<br /><br />We're repeatedly told by the dept. of Health that there is no information nor evidence regarding the long term hazards and Prof. London went into some detail ( at the meeting of 27 May, at the school) about the lack of data and the dangers of assuming that in the absence of evidence there is no cause for concern. It seems irresponsible to me, that despite the continued attempts by the relevant authorities, the school knowingly makes statements like the following, in their spraying policy as sent out last Friday, 2 July 2010.<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"There is no conclusive evidence that the spraying of the vineyards has any direct<br />effect on the children or staff's health or that it is the cause of allergies."<br /></blockquote><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"To date there is no proof that any of the chemicals used in the seasonal cropspraying<br /><blockquote>process are in fact carcinogenic"</blockquote></blockquote><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"Fungacides are being used on the farm but there is no evidence of negative effects on the children’s health."<br /><br /><br />" Emma raised the concern about various chemicals grouped together i.e. the “cocktail effect” but again there was agreement that there was no proof of this having a negative effect either."<br /></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">" In direct discussion about Mancozeb, there was agreement that there is no proof that it is carcinogenic."</span></blockquote></div><br />There is published medical research that directly contradicts this statement. <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/31394159/Published-Medical-Research-Into-Mancozeb-and-Folpet">You can read some of it here.</a><br /><br />I actually handed copies of these myself to Emma when I handed her my letter of intent to remove my son from the school. As for the other denials, I find it almost insulting that the school continues to trot out this completely inaccurate nonsense and to continue to misinform the parents of the children in their care.<br /><br />The schools continued policy appears to be one of claiming no risk exists until absolute proof is presented. The only area where this sort of proof is possible is in pure mathematics. In science it's a matter of assessing the available evidence and forming working theories on the evidence we have.<br /><br />The school has repeatedly demonstrated it's inability to asses inconvenient evidence in any sort of impartial way. There seems to me a very real risk that this failure to disregard financial considerations and to, instead, place the safety of our children first, may prove in the long term, to have been short-sighted, to say the very least.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></blockquote><br /></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" id="fullpost" ></span>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-24248999688370350192010-06-26T01:09:00.000-07:002010-06-28T03:41:06.810-07:00Update: Sunday 20 June 2010<span style="font-size:130%;">Update: Sunday 20 June 2010</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I received an email a little while ago, from the school, most of it irrelevant fluff but this bone of contention regarding my allegation that teachers were threatened etc and the school's denial of any knowledge thereof was alluded to</span></span>. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I quote from the email;<br /><br /></span><blockquote><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA">"Yesterday morning we held a meeting with Brendon Bailes, Chairperson of the newly formed PTA and Wayne Campbell, Vice Chairperson of the PTA. One of the items discussed was the school’s position on items that you had raised with Brendon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA">The school welcomes your input into the work of the Environmental Health Committee and appreciates any information that you may have to share that would shed light on the vine spraying issue. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The school will however not enter into discussion on internal matters with you,</span> and will continue to follow recognised internal procedures for such matters."</span></p></blockquote><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They refuse to acknowledge what Brendon has already confirmed in his emails to me...how awkward...for them! They made the matter public, called my integrity into question and now, when they are shown to be covering up the truth, they refuse to discuss the matter any further.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'m a bit disappointed at this utter lack of moral courage the school continues to display but I take comfort in the sure knowledge <span style="font-weight: bold;">the truth will out.....</span>eventually.</span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 32, 96);font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update: 24 June 2010</span><br /></div><br />One of the parents who is still considered worthy of being kept informed forwarded me a copy of the latest EHC meeting minutes, today. The issue of the teachers having felt threatened was finally acknowledged.<br /><br />I quote from the minutes;<br /><br /> <blockquote style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"Emma and Claire went on to report that they had also consulted with Joanne and Abi-Gail as to whether they had received threats of law suits from the school should any parent remove their children from the school citing vineyard spraying. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Joanne and Abi-Gail referred back to January when they issued the school with a grievance letter regarding a meeting held with Emma, Claire and a member of the business steering committee. In the grievance raised, the Directress’ said that they felt threatened by the way in which they had been addressed.</span> This grievance was addressed through the appropriate internal procedures. An independent HR consultant was brought in to resolve the issues raised by the directress’. In this process Emma and Claire clarified with the Directress’ that this was not their intention and that the school would in no way presume to threaten the Directress’ in any way. With the assistance of the HR consultant everyone agreed that they felt that the issues raised had been resolved and clarified. Emma and Claire were therefore under the impression that the matter had been resolved via this process (in early February). No further mention of such issues was raised by the Directress’ again. When Ford Hallam recently raised the issue that Directress’ had been threatened with law suits from the school, Emma and Claire did not make the association of this to the above Grievance and therefore made the statement below (as stated in the minutes of the EHC dated 27 May 2010).<br /> “The school went on to state that Ford’s comment with regard to staff being threatened with legal action should a parent remove their child citing vine spraying as the reason is completely unfounded and untrue. The school has no idea where such a sentiment stems from."<br /> "</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />So there you have it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yes, teachers did feel as though they'd been threatened.</span> The "member of the BSC" referred to was Dave D'Aguiar by the way. I mention this because I take the view that his attitude and behaviour in this whole matter regarding the spraying has been extremely inappropriate. This is something I'll elaborate on in later posts.<br /><br />Personally, I find "the school's" claim that they didn't make a connection between my allegation and the grievance complaint to be very dubious, to say the least.<br /><br />I wonder if the school will now send out an email to all parents correcting the impression they created, that there was no foundation for the allegation. Will the school now admit that I was not misinformed and that the school (inexplicably) "didn't make the connection" to a serious grievance complaint made by the teachers in January that details precisely what I alluded to?<br /><br />The matter of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"white, sticky residue" </span>was also brought up. It was reported that both the teachers confirmed that they'd reported their concerns over this, towards the end of last year, to Emma and Claire. I quote again from the minutes;<br /><br /> <blockquote style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"Emma and Claire said that they do not have any recollection of being given such information"<br /></blockquote><br /><br /><br />This I find extremely worrying. It suggests, that at a time when one teacher is experiencing serious health problems that her doctor diagnosed as being due to "an external irritant" in the lungs, the school seems to have forgotten, or chosen to ignore, the other teachers concerns over a visible spray residue in the actual school building. It would appear that yet again they "didn't make the connection".The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-16068983433017292682010-06-23T08:26:00.000-07:002010-06-23T08:38:44.899-07:00How sadly ironic....Chameleons Montessori completely out of step with enlightened thinking about our future.It would be quite funny if it wasn't so sad but while our Chameleons Montessori school is fighting tooth and nail to remain in the middle of a working wine farm and to thereby continue exposing children unnecessarily to potential heath risks, over in Ontario, Canada, the Stratford Montessori school is part of an enlightened champaign to make their environment pesticide free.<br /><br />You can have a read about the project by following <a href="http://www.city.stratford.on.ca/gardencare/thankyou.asp">this link</a>.<br /><br />It's reassuring to see that there are Montessori schools in the world who really do care about their children's health and that our school may hopefully only be an anomaly it it's inability to see the best way forward in terms of creating a safer and healthier world for our children to grow up in.The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-18059294651735653982010-06-23T00:22:00.001-07:002010-06-23T01:33:04.974-07:00Chameleons Montessori Policy regarding vineyard sprayingOn the DVD made of the talk and Q&A session with Prof. London at the Chameleons School recently ( 25 May 2010) the principal, Emma Medell, details the school's policy with regard to protecting the children from chemical spray drift. This can be heard at 35:30 into the film.<br /><br />The following is a word for word transcription.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Just for the record, I don't know if everybody is aware of what our policy is in the school, that if there is vine spraying the children don't go outside to play.<br /><br />They are kept indoors while the spraying is going on and then for 2 hours afterwards. There have been criticisms about how healthy it is in the middle of the summer for the children to be kept indoors. The windows are open for some fresh, for some air. They are not all wide open but there are windows open so there is some fresh air. <br /><br />So that's kind of where it stands so they are protected by the building at that stage and for 2 hours thereafter."<br /><br />(there's some other comment form other people at this point but it's difficult to hear exactly as there's too much mumbling) and then Emma continues...<br /><br />"and spraying down outside after, the hosing down afterwards outside."</span></blockquote><br /><br />I'm pretty certain anyone reading this "official policy" will be immediately struck by the absurd contradiction it displays. The children are kept indoors to protect them from the chemical spray but some of the windows are open to allow in fresh air!<br /><br />This is so ridiculous it would be funny were it not so indicative of the completely inadequate understanding of reality of the problem on the part of the school. An 8 year old can see the flaw of this the pretence of "protecting the children", mine immediately did when I explained it to him. <br /><br />We're told the children are kept in while there's spraying going on and for 2 hours afterwards. No particular proximity is given but I would suggest that any time there is active spraying being conducted on the farm it would be appropriate to take some sort of effective protective action.<br /><br />We now know that, despite the continued misapprehension among many parents that it's only 6 days a year, spraying takes place on at least 10 dates, as indicated on the last spray schedule we were given. Each of those dates indicates spaying activity that lasts anywhere from 2 to 3 days. Mr Veller, the owner of Nitida, has further confirmed, that typically, the spraying lasts from 7am until 5:30 pm each day.<br /><br />If you compare the actual reality of spray activity on the farm and the school's policy of keeping the children indoors you will clearly recognise yet another apparent contradiction. How, exactly are the children kept indoors for 2 hours after the spraying when the spraying only finishes after the school day ends? and in addition, is already under way an hour before school even starts in the morning?<br /><br />In my view this "policy" is nothing more than a pretence to suggest something is being done because, clearly, it is practically irrelevant.<br /><br />As for hosing down afterwards; I don't know anyone who can confirm that they've actually ever seen evidence of this at all. Remember, we're talking about completely wet grounds when you collect your children, for 3 days at a time about every 2 weeks, during the summer. I think we'd have noticed...don't you? I assume they would have needed to wash all the windows each day too. It all hardly seems possible.<br /><br />Neither can we imagine exactly how this "decontamination" would be carried out in such a way as to ensure the bulk of the spray residue has been effectively washed away. In fact, Prof. London, during his talk, suggested that water probably isn't the solution. I don't suppose he intended the pun.<br /><br />If this farce isn't enough to convince you of the inadequacy of the schools response to the problem consider the following.<br /><br />Right outside the schoolrooms is the swimming pool. This open body of water is completely exposed to the air, and whatever is in it, every day of the year. It serves as a perfect catchment area for every single chemical compound that may drift over the premises. There is no natural drainage, the water isn't replaced, merely topped up. I imagine the various compounds will gradually accumulate in the pool water, braking down to perhaps reform into any number of unknown, new compounds and be further complimented by the pool chemicals. Given the size of these chemical particles I think it reasonable to assume the pool's filtration unit will not be sufficiently fine nor sophisticated enough to keep the water free of these contaminants. Swimming pool filters are designed to remove solid matter not chemical residues.<br /><br />Once a week for about 30 minutes or more, during summer, our children are routinely dipped for into this soup of completely unknown chemicals. You'll no doubt remember that the most common route for pesticide absorption is through the skin so by placing our semi-naked children in this water we maximise the potential for exposure. It's also likely the children swallow some of this water and eyes, ears and noses would obviously be quite sensitive to any potential irritants present.<br /><br />I doubt that any scientific or medical research ethics council would allow such an obviously hazardous "experiment" to be be conducted. Yet at Chameleons Montessori the clear potential for very real harm to our children was simply not recognised.The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-13426777410378217422010-06-21T07:57:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:57:00.177-07:00Another potentially dangerous chemical under scrutiny.A published article in the<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/section.cfm?id=news"> Scientific American journal</a> gives cause for concern.<br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></h1><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><h1><span style="font-size:100%;">"Are Pesticides from Plants Dangerous to Humans?</span></h1> <h2><span style="font-size:100%;">It remains unclear how the pesticides from plants known as pyrethroids affect human health."</span></h2>"Chemicals derived from flowers may sound harmless, but new research raises concerns about compounds synthesized from chrysanthemums that are used in virtually every household <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=epas-new-pesticide-testing-outdated">pesticide</a>. "<!--StartFragment--> <p>"For at least a decade, pyrethroids have been the <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=getting-bugs-out-of-genetically-modified-crops">insecticide</a> of choice for consumers, replacing organophosphate pesticides, which are far more toxic to people and wildlife. But evidence is mounting that the switch to less-toxic pyrethroids has brought its own set of new ecological and human health risks."</p><p>"Both California and the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a> are reevaluating the chemicals because of safety concerns. “Pyrethroids are obviously a safer alternative to organophosphates, but just because they are safer doesn’t mean they are safe,” said Dana Boyd Barr, a research professor of environmental health at <a href="http://www.sph.emory.edu/cms/index.html">Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health </a>in Atlanta, Georgia."</p><p>"Children are more highly exposed to pyrethroids because “they spend a lot more time on the floor and have much more hand to mouth activity,” Barr said. “Pyrethroids tend to accumulate in dust or on surface areas in homes because they don’t evaporate easily into the air."</p>"Studies with lab <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/topic.cfm?id=animals">animals</a> have linked pyrethroid exposure to <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=6B47EB84-E7F2-99DF-372C4C480BAB6068">damage of the thyroid,</a> liver and nervous system, as well as impairment of behavioral development, changes in the immune system and <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-website-maps-endocrine-disruptors">disruption of reproductive hormones</a>, according to the 2006 EPA review. These animal studies are relevant to human health because pyrethroids act on functions of the nervous system common to all animals, according to the EPA."</blockquote><p></p><p>While <span style="font-weight: bold;">I have not as yet identified any of these chemicals in products presently used on Nitida</span> this story does serve to show how, as research accumulates, chemicals previously thought to be relatively safe are eventually recognised as being potentially a serious risk.</p><p>The full story <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=plant-pesticides-health">can be read here.</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-35170505665419388262010-06-21T06:39:00.000-07:002010-06-21T06:41:38.053-07:00Still no answers to the first issues I raised.In a recent email to parents of the school on Nitida it was claimed that the Environmental Health Committee had spent many hours answering my many questions and that none of the answers provided have been reflected on this blog. So I will start at the beginning and detail the many questions I've posed and you can judge for yourself whether any credible answers have been forthcoming from the school. There are more to follow but these were the first comments I offered hoping for at least some response.
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<br />On the 3 May 2010, following the 27 April meeting to discuss the spaying issue I sent the following email to Emma Medell (the principle of the school) and the 4 members of the business steering committee, Dave and Alice<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Arial;" > <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">D'Aguiar</span></span> and Rolph and Fiona Walther. Accompanying this email was a copy of the full analysis, as I saw it, of the 27 April meeting and events as they effected my family leading up to this meeting.
<br /><a href="http://galileogroup.blogspot.com/2010/05/we-tender-our-notice-and-are-persuaded.html">This can be found here.</a>
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<br />A summary of my own conclusions and my opinion on the issue is posted below, this was included in my email. I maintain that to date not one of these issues have been address nor even acknowledged. In fact, my email wasn't even acknowledged either. I am still waiting for these points to be answered.
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<br /><blockquote>"4 May 2010
<br />Dear Emma, Alice, Dave, Fiona and Ralph
<br />
<br />I'm writing to express, directly to you, my disappointment and sadness over the way recent events have unfolded.
<br />I have considered each of you to be a friend. I've enjoyed your company on many occasions and felt a genuine bond with you.
<br />
<br />My feelings about our most recent interaction with you as a group, in the the form of the Business Steering Committee and the school as a business, are, however, very different.
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<br />I feel I've been treated with a complete lack of courtesy or honesty. My perception of the way things prior to, and actually at, last Thursday's meeting appear are detailed in my, fairly lengthy, commentary below. If any of you should read it and feel you can demonstrate to me how and where I'm mistaken in my analysis I welcome being shown.
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<br />As things stand, I feel that, as a group, you have demonstrated a total disregard for any sort of balanced appraisal of the situation and have placed the schools business considerations before all others. I consider that in the evaluation of my son's safety and health there can be no other considerations to take into account at all.
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<br />What I personally find most baffling is how it is, while confessing your ignorance of any real facts, you are all, never-the-less, so adamant that this is a non-issue. Your willingness to throw out misleading, irrelevant and completely inaccurate information in defence of your, completely unexamined, stance leaves me feeling insulted, angry and bewildered.
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<br />I know I'm not the only parent who feels this way and I imagine that you may well be feeling similar emotions, but for slightly different reasons perhaps. I am not prepard to hide my opinion nor my true feelings and put a false smile on to pretend nothing is wrong. I've stated my views as clearly and as accurately as I can.
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<br />sincerely,
<br />
<br />Ford"
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<br /><i>Please note: This document is written without prejudice
<br />
<br />"Summary
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<br /></i></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1:
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Reassurances as to the legality and safety issues surrounding spraying given by both the owner of the farm and the School are reasonably shown to be misleading and inadequate.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">2:
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<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">According to present legislation it is illegal to allow agricultural chemicals to drift onto “areas not being treated”</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3: </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It appears highly probably that spray drift does in fact end up on the school premises.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4:
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<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The school has taken no steps to establish that the school isn’t contaminated in this way.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">5:
<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The school continues to deny any problem may exist and is resistant to assessing any findings that suggest cause for concern.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">6:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">
<br />The full details and implications of the valid concerns of a small group of parents are being withheld from the larger body of parents. This has prevented an open discussion and debate on the matter.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">7:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">
<br />In communications with TATIB ( the Air That I Breathe foundation, who first raised concerns over spraying near our school) A representative of the schools Business Steering Committee represented themselves as being from the Parent Committee. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">8:
<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> We don’t have a Parent Committee to represent our views and concerns.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">9:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">
<br />The school has a legal duty to show that due care has been taken with regard to our children’s safety. The onus is on the school to prove that the school and it’s premises are free of agricultural chemicals. This can be done by instituting a thorough analysis of the soil, vegetation and school building. It seems prudent to carry out air quality tests specifically on the days that spraying does take place, also. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">10:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">
<br />Failure to demonstrate that the school is a safe environment and that the farm is operating within the law may give parents the right to hold both liable for any harm that may subsequently come to light."
<br /></span></div></blockquote></div><i><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">
<br /></span></span></span></i><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;font-size:100%;" >While it may seem a minor matter I publish a copy of the contents of one of the emails to TATIB in which a member of the BSC presents themselves as a representative of the Parent Committee, a committee we didn't have at the time. There exist a number of such "misleading" emails and I'm willing to forward copies to anyone who wishes to look into this matter. I feel this</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:webdings;"> misrepresentation was a deliberate attempt to try and control the spread of information.</span></span><title>Message</title><style></style><div><span class="280571711-09042010"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Arial;" ></span></span></div><blockquote><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"><span style="font-family:Arial;">"Hi Jurgen,</span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"></span> </div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have asked you to direct your mails to me alone, I am the 'point person' and I assure you I will pass on your mails as necessary. </span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"></span> </div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"><span style="font-family:Arial;">It is a simple request, kindly comply.</span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"></span> </div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Kind regards</span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="280571711-09042010"></span>
<br /></div><div><span class="280571711-09042010"> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </div> <div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Dave D'Aguiar</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><u><span style="font-family:Arial;">Parent Committee"</span></u></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </div></span></div>
<br /><i><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>
<br /></i><i></i></blockquote><i>
<br /></i>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-2904996118674447812010-06-20T21:35:00.000-07:002010-06-20T21:35:00.146-07:00Ground water testing at Nitida Wine farm as reported by the Chameleons Montessori EHCAt the start of the talk given by Prof Leslie London at Chameleons Montessori on 20 May 2010 a representative of the Environmental Health Committee, Mr Brendon Bailes, reported the committee’s findings regarding the matter of ground water contamination from the chemical use on the farm.<br /><br />On the DVD made of the meeting this can be viewed at 4min 10sec.<br /><br />Brendon mentions that with regard to the groundwater some tests had been done for, and I quote him here,<br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">“phosphates and all that stuff and there’s none so that clears that up”</blockquote>Following this meeting Brandon forwarded the correspondence (via email on the 25 May) that took place between himself and Bernard Veller, the owner of Nitida, in which this issue is discussed.<br /><br />The emails are quite brief and I quote only the relevant bits here;<br /><br />From Brendon Bailes to Bernard Veller, 17 May 2010<br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">“has the ground water been tested recently? One thing the school asked me to look into was water- ground water testing?”<br /></blockquote><br />Reply from Mr Veller, 17 May 2010<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">“I have had it tested recently for phosphates. What is the school specifically interested in. I am sure you understand there are 101 things you can test for”</blockquote><br /><br />Brandon writes back;<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">“Is there any possibility to obtain a copy of the testing so I can show the Committee”<br /></blockquote><br />Reply from Mr Veller, 17 May 2010<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">“Latest test results as requested. You will see that they are very limited as I was looking at phosphates and nitrates alone. A comprehensive test for solids etc will cost about R500. I can have it analysed for e-coli for about R75. My 2 effluent plants have had e-coli at zero for months now. Again it depends what you are looking for”<br /></blockquote><br />Bernard Veller was at that meeting with Prof. London and presumably heard Brendon’s statement regarding the results of the testing. It seems negligent to me that this obvious misunderstanding on Brendon’s part was not corrected.<br /><br />To be fair to Mr Veller though, he was quite clear in his emails about the extent of the testing so I fail to see how the EHC reached the conclusion it did and to say that with regard to the groundwater that some tests had been done for “phosphates and all that stuff and there’s none so that clears that up”<br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, as a consequence of this misrepresentation of the facts, surrounding groundwater contamination, parents may now believe the matter to be resolved. This is clearly not the case at all.<br /><br />It's probably worth quoting two comment Prof. London made later, at that meeting. He can be heard at about 40 min into the DVD recording.<br />This was in response to a query regarding residues that may remain after spraying but he could equally have been referring to this testing of the groundwater.<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"I wouldn't believe a study that said there was nothing...it doesn't make sense...it gets into the environment."</blockquote><br />A follow-on question regarding the risk possibly posed by the breakdown products and their residues was then answered by the Professor.<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">It would be; "very unusual for any sort of agricultural spray activity<span style="font-weight: bold;"> not</span> to result in a certain amount of residue and contamination and run off"<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I’m criticising the EHC’s handling of this topic because I feel that, yet again, the EHC demonstrates it’s lack of expertise and thoroughness in dealing with this very complex issue. I have to question the school’s wisdom in asking completely unqualified parents to advise on school policy with regard to our children’s health and safety.<br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br /></div></blockquote>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-40567639939168360122010-06-20T06:55:00.000-07:002010-06-20T06:55:00.281-07:00More evidence for Chameleons Montessori EHC to consider.<h1></h1><h1><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></h1><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><h1><span style="font-size:130%;">Farm Pesticides Linked to Skin Cancer</span></h1> <h2><span style="font-size:130%;">"Sun exposure has always been considered the driving force behind rising rates of melanoma. But new research suggests that repeated, long-term use of pesticides may be an important factor, too.</span></h2>The findings add to evidence suggesting that frequent use of pesticides could raise the risk of melanoma. Rates of the disease have tripled in the United States in the last 30 years, with sun exposure identified as the major cause.<br /><br />The researchers identified six pesticides that, with repeated exposure, doubled the risk of skin cancer among farmers and other workers who applied the chemicals to crops.<br /><br />Four of the chemicals - maneb, <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">mancozeb</span>, methyl-parathion and carbaryl - are used in the United States on a variety of crops, including nuts, vegetables and fruits."</blockquote>You can <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=farm-pesticides-linked-to-skin-cancer">read a fuller article about this new study <span style="font-weight: bold;">here.</span></a> Please note that this research was published in the Scientific American journal a highly regarded, peer reviewed scientific publication. Also, please note that <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">mancozeb</span> is the active ingredient in <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Micexanil 76WP</span> which you'll find listed on the spray schedule the school provided following the 27 May meeting.<br /><br /><br /><br /><h2></h2>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-69941546071169931612010-06-19T01:32:00.000-07:002010-06-25T01:07:32.550-07:00Will Chameleons Montessori finally admit the truth?Recently, all parents of children presently attending the Chameleons Montessori school, at Nitida wine farm in Durbanville, were sent an email, 9 June 2010, that attempted to reassure everyone all was under control and appropriate steps were being taken to ensure the school continued survival.<br /><br />A number of claims are made in this email which many of us, including some of the teachers themselves, would strongly dispute. I’ll address each of them in turn in days to come. For now, though, I want to focus on one specific allegation because it serves to demonstrate very clearly the sort of “less then honest” tactics that we’re becoming all too familiar with in trying to get at the truth of this sorry affair.<br /><br />I quote the following from this school email;<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 32, 96);font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-US"></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 32, 96);font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-US"><br />"Accusations of staff being 'gagged' and 'threatened' by the school abounded in certain circles and in some cases a significant level of panic began to set in.</span>"<br /><br /></blockquote>In a private email (dated 26 may 2010) from myself to Mr Brandon Bailes I wrote the following;<br /><br />"That teachers were threatened with legal action should any parent leave citing spray drift concerns seems even more bizarre, and evidence of a culture of intimidation and denial of the reality of the situation. "<br /><br />Brendon assured me that as a representative of the EHC (Environmental Health Committee ) he would investigate this allegation further. He did so by bringing my email to the attention of Emma and Claire at the next EHC meeting on 27 May<br /><br />The school (I assume Emma and Claire, as they are the owners) responds to this comment thus:<br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"The school went on to state that Ford’s comment with regard to staff being threatened with legal action should a parent remove their child citing vine spraying as the reason is completely unfounded and untrue. The school has no idea where such a sentiment stems from."<br /></blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am aware of a grievance letter that details these threats that the teachers felt were implied. This matter was dealt with by a Human Resources consultant on behalf of the school in January. </span>Naturally, I was surprised that the school would respond as they did, claiming the allegation was “completely unfounded and untrue“ and that the school had “no idea where such a sentiment stems from."<br /><br />I was also quite surprised that the school chose to publish my email to Brendon in the minutes of the meeting that was sent to all parents….along with their denial of the allegation I had made. I was hoping we might resolve this matter privately as I felt that it was a very serious issue that brought the schools integrity into question. The school chose to make the matter public and to deny all knowledge of what I was referring to. They made further attempts to discredit me in the follow up email to parents dated 9 June and mentioned previously by writing the following;<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-US"> Despite the EHC spending hours answering all the questions raised by the blog’s front person - none of this has been accurately reflected (if at all) in the blog. The site continues to evade the truth and publish flagrant exaggerations and misinterpretations. "</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote> <div style="text-align: left;">I will detail the various questions that I've posed and how they have been addressed. Some of these issues have already been reported on this blog and where appropriate I have expressed my difference of opinion. This tactic of trying to question the integrity of any critic of the schools spraying policy appears to be a fairly routine response. I will be detailing a number of these attempts at slander in a separate post. It's unfortunate that the school stoops to such underhand methods to brush aside unwanted comment, criticism and questioning and to continue to imply that their critics are somehow "morally suspect".<br /></div><br />At this stage I want to say how much I appreciate Brendon's efforts to remain impartial and his continued willingness to engage with me to attempt to resolve this apparent contradiction. We both recognise that no sustainable progress can be made while questions remain regarding the truthfulness of certain claims made by the school.<br />I expressed my dissatisfaction with the school’s denial, to Brendon, and went into some detail regarding what I knew. He assured me he would probe the matter further. He was as good as his word and was eventually, actually, shown the grievance letter I alluded to.<br /><br />He told me, in a private email, that he had read it and confirmed that what I had suggested regarding allegations of teachers feeling threatened was indeed detailed in this letter.<br /><br />It was then explained to me that the schools response at this stage was that unless I was prepared to prove that I had a copy of this letter and to say who had given it to me the matter would not be discussed any further.<br />In addition, the teachers were questioned by Emma and Claire about “who was leaking information to Ford”. The teachers have stated that neither of them gave me a copy of the letter, this is perfectly true. Neither did I collude with them in writing the grievance letter back in January. I only became aware of the matter in March.<br /><br />Personally, I find it troubling that rather than acknowledging the fact that they have been misleading parents over their knowledge of these allegations they choose instead to try and put pressure on the teachers not to reveal the truth. Of course, if anyone has any doubts about how the teachers really feel they’ve been treated I suppose you could simply ask them.<br /><br />In private conversation with Brendon, he and I agreed that the school could not continue to deny all knowledge of this matter while we both , not to mention the teachers themselves, knew the truth.<br /><br />At the latest EHC meeting (17 June) Brendon again raised the issue and he assured me, when we spoke yesterday (Friday, 18 June), that the school would be issuing a full correction regarding their denials. He suggested I’d be pleased with this acknowledgement. I sincerely hope so and look forward to reading this “confession” sometime this week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Update: Sunday 20 June 2010</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I received an email a little while ago, from the school, most of it irrelevant fluff but this bone of contention regarding my allegation that teachers were threatened etc and the school's denial of any knowledge thereof was alluded to</span></span>. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I quote from the email;<br /><br /></span><blockquote><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA">"Yesterday morning we held a meeting with Brendon Bailes, Chairperson of the newly formed PTA and Wayne Campbell, Vice Chairperson of the PTA. One of the items discussed was the school’s position on items that you had raised with Brendon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA">The school welcomes your input into the work of the Environmental Health Committee and appreciates any information that you may have to share that would shed light on the vine spraying issue. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The school will however not enter into discussion on internal matters with you,</span> and will continue to follow recognised internal procedures for such matters."</span></p></blockquote><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They refuse to acknowledge what Brendon has already confirmed in his emails to me...how awkward...for them! They made the matter public, called my integrity into question and now, when they are shown to be covering up the truth, they refuse to discuss the matter any further.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'m a bit disappointed at this utter lack of moral courage the school continues to display but I take comfort in the sure knowledge <span style="font-weight: bold;">the truth will out.....</span>eventually.</span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 32, 96);font-family:'Tahoma','sans-serif';font-size:12pt;" lang="EN-ZA"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br />Update: 24 June 2010<br /><br />One of the parents who is still considered worthy of being kept informed forwarded me a copy of the latest EHC meeting minutes, today. The issue of the teachers having felt threatened was finally acknowledged.<br /><br />I quote from the minutes;<br /><br /><blockquote>"Emma and Claire went on to report that they had also consulted with Joanne and Abi-Gail as to whether they had received threats of law suits from the school should any parent remove their children from the school citing vineyard spraying. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Joanne and Abi-Gail referred back to January when they issued the school with a grievance letter regarding a meeting held with Emma, Claire and a member of the business steering committee.</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">In the grievance raised, the Directress’ said that they felt threatened by the way in which they had been addressed.</span> This grievance was addressed through the appropriate internal procedures. An independent HR consultant was brought in to resolve the issues raised by the directress’. In this process Emma and Claire clarified with the Directress’ that this was not their intention and that the school would in no way presume to threaten the Directress’ in any way. With the assistance of the HR consultant everyone agreed that they felt that the issues raised had been resolved and clarified. Emma and Claire were therefore under the impression that the matter had been resolved via this process (in early February). No further mention of such issues was raised by the Directress’ again.<span style="font-weight:bold;"> When Ford Hallam recently raised the issue that Directress’ had been threatened with law suits from the school, Emma and Claire did not make the association of this to the above Grievance and therefore made the statement below </span>(as stated in the minutes of the EHC dated 27 May 2010).<br />“<span style="font-weight:bold;">The school went on to state that Ford’s comment with regard to staff being threatened with legal action should a parent remove their child citing vine spraying as the reason is completely unfounded and untrue. The school has no idea where such a sentiment stems from."</span><br />"</blockquote><br /><br />So there you have it. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Yes, teachers did feel as though they'd been threatened.</span> The "member of the BSC" referred to was Dave D'Aguiar by the way. I mention this because I take the view that his attitude and behaviour in this whole matter regarding the spraying has been extremely inappropriate. This is something I'll elaborate on in later posts.<br /><br />Personally, I find "the school's" claim that they didn't make a connection between my allegation and the grievance complaint to be very dubious, to say the least. <br /><br />I wonder if the school will now send out an email to all parents correction the impression they created, that there was no foundation for the allegation. Will the school now admit that <span style="font-weight:bold;">I was not misinformed</span> and that the school (inexplicably) "didn't make the connection" to a serious grievance complaint made by the teachers in January that details precisely what I alluded to?<br /><br />The matter of the "white, sticky residue" was also brought up. It was reported that both the teachers confirmed that they'd reported their concerns over this, towards the end of last year, to Emma and Claire. I quote again from the minutes;<br /><br /><blockquote>"Emma and Claire said that they do not have any recollection of being given such information"</blockquote><br /><br />This I find extremely worrying. It suggests, that at a time when one teacher is experiencing serious health problems that her doctor diagnosed as being due to "an external irritant" in the lungs, the school seems to have forgotten the other teachers concerns over a visible spray residue in the actual school building. It would appear that yet again they "didn't make the connection".The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-59528817625617033032010-06-14T03:56:00.000-07:002010-06-19T07:35:54.340-07:00Another parent tells of their experience at Chameleons Montessori<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Written without prejudice: In my opinion<br /></p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> Thomas started at the Chameleons Montessori School in March 2008.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal">My son Thomas (then 8 years old) was a normal healthy active boy, before he joined the Chameleons Montessori school, situated in the middle of the Natida wine farm. Within a mere few month’s it became obvious to me, that there was something wrong with his health. Since starting at the Chameleons<span style=""> </span>Montessori, he developed a persistent sniffle and cough, that just wouldn’t go away. </p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> I spoke on several occasions with the staff of the school about it, and Emma Mendell (the principal) suggested a homeopath (apparently a parent of<span style=""> </span>1 of the children at the pre-school). We went, tried her remedies for a while, but there was absolutely no improvement in Thomas’s health. On recommendation of a couple of friends, we went in January 2009 to a GP who had studied homeopathy. He suggested a blood test, to see what was setting off Thomas’s allergies. The Doctor at Synexa (the lab where they did the blood tests) suggested a stool test as well.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> The results of the test were that Thomas had leaky gut (an adult disease) The allergies that he had developed<span style=""> </span>over the past year (as he never had them before) were caused by his weakened immune system, because of a leaky gut. When I told the doctor that I was told that it wasn’t harmful<span style=""> </span>what they sprayed on the farm, he said: “if it kills bugs or fungus, it can’t be healthy for humans!”</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> <span style=""> </span>I told Emma Mendell (the principal) what the Doctor had said. And that the Doctor suggested that Thomas’s illness was most likely caused by the spraying of the vineyards. The Principal said she would find out more, and talk to the farmer. A couple of weeks later, when I questioned her about it, she said they were having tests done, and she was waiting for the results. I waited patiently for the results, and questioned<span style=""> </span>her about it now and again. Then finally I was told by Emma Mendell the Principal of the school, that the test result came out clear. According to her, everything was “alright” & “all natural” and “non harmful to the children or any one”. </p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="ecxMsoNormal"> I trusted this to be the truth.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> Despite his medication, regular Doctor’s visits, strict wheat/sugar and dairy free diet, Thomas’s health deteriorated . Emma agreed that they would let me know, when they were going to spray, so I could keep Thomas away from the spraying. Every spraying session would last between 2-3 days, and it would be done every 2 weeks, between September and March, according to Emma. In case of rain, they would have to repeat.<span style=""> </span>In the end February, when Emma Mendell called me to tell me about another spraying session, she told me that they had told her, that<span style=""> </span>it was the last time for that (spraying)season.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style=""></span><span style=""> </span>There where several times that we didn’t get that warning. I was sometimes called while spraying had already started(sometimes I was not even near Durbanville). And sometimes we arrived at the school, and found out they were not spraying ( came all the way for nothing). On one occasion, turning back home after we just arrived at the school, we counted as many as 7 tractors at the same time spraying on Natida, and neighbouring farms. During the “spraying season” Thomas had many nights that he could hardly breathe and sometimes would have to sleep sitting up, in my arms, as I would hold his head up, to help him breathe. I told this also to the staff at the school, but Emma assured me that Thomas was the only one that was affected at all, so the problem must be with Thomas. I kept Thomas at the school, as I (naively ) believed what I was told. I tried looking for answers elsewhere. At one time I thought it might be his synthetic school uniform causing his allergies. Then I thought it might be the pets at the school,<span style=""> </span>etc. etc. I was looking for the cause of Thomas’s allergies and illness.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> Would I have known then, what I know now, I would have taken Thomas out immediately after he was diagnosed. But I exposed him for another year to all the Toxin’s because I believed them.<br /></p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal">I was approached a week before the school holidays in March 2010, by several people, informing me about the true facts of the spraying. In that week, I first asked Emma Mendell for the spraying schedule (Tuesday 23 March in the morning). I received it after calling her again (Wednesday 24 March pm). Then I called the school again. I spoke to her sister, Claire (Thursday 25th March am) , and I asked for a copy of the test results. Claire then informed me that there were never any tests done, JUST research! I told her immediately that research means nothing.(I said:”I can sit on a chair, stare at the vineyard, and call it research”). I then hand delivered my letter , with the removal of my son Thomas with immediate affect (Friday 26th March am), as I believed that I had found my answer, Thomas was getting ill from the spraying on the farm.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> Since then, Thomas’s health is slowly improving. He sleeps through the night now, breathing steadily (simple thing he wasn’t able to do for almost a year!). It might be a while, before Thomas can have a “normal” life again, eating “normal” food(it is not easy to be on a diet. Imagine a 9 year old child on a very strict one for over a year), but at least the pain in his tummy has subsided, his breathing has improved tremendously, and he sleeps properly.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> One can argue that with a normal immune system you can handle the spraying. But if your immune system gets attacked by the continuous surrounding of poison, your immune system might not be able to hold on for that long.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal">It has been said that “if you drive behind a diesel bakkie , is also harmful”. Or ”we also swim in a Chlorine pool”. I would like to point out, the school is situated in the middle of a spraying field, with very high levels of exposure to chemicals that are known to be very harmful. A hundred thousand times higher than the harm of exposure of swimming in a Chlorine pool, or driving behind a diesel bakkie .</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal">A “buffer zone” of a couple of little trees(less than waist high)is in my opinion not going to make much difference. I’m not willing to bet my child’s life on it. I find this a joke!</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> It has been alleged by the school to me, that the removal of Thomas was purely financial. This is an untrue accusation. From the beginning of his removal from the school, I’m paying more for his private tuition, than I was paying at the Chameleon Montessori School.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>But it is not difficult to form the opinion, that their own motives for continuing poisoning the children are purely financial. As some of you may know, the school was and is, in financial trouble, and moving is not an option.</p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> Clarien Thornhill-Fisher<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-7836216626948554472010-06-13T08:48:00.000-07:002010-06-19T07:36:16.556-07:00what if you are wrong? a question for Chameleons Montessori.<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">I've chosen to publish the following comment as a post in it's own right because it presents a view many parents, perhaps as yet undecided, may find of interest.<br /><br />The question asked at the end describes the dilemma in stark terms. To those who feel that dodging minute spray particles in the wind for half the year is without risk I would reiterate, what if you're wrong?<br /><br />One point of clarification; The incident referred to of a child being assaulted did not occur at the Chameleons Montessori and was no doubt related to indicate this writers willingness to take appropriate action where a child's safety is threatened. One would like to believe all parents would be as decisive.<br /></div><blockquote></blockquote><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"Hello all, it looks like a little war is going on this site; we have here people who are very scared / dead-certain that mass poisoning of small children is going on, and on the other hand we have those who say that the former group is a bunch of misguided, alarmist scare-mongerers.</blockquote><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">So -from what we can learn here on this blog and elsewhere on the web- who’s right? </span><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />But first let me say that my own eight your old is safely removed from the winelands and that these problems are not directly mine. (Recently she was hit by a teacher, but after an immediate visit to a doctor, a criminal charge, the involvement of the Department of Education, said teacher is no longer employed by the school within less than three weeks. We all have problems, but it is our duty to tackle them –if they seem real!)<br /><br />In the end I’m pro-child first and foremost. I hope that we all are. Emotions and personal issues (or ANY other issue for that matter) should be avoided when it comes to a child’s wellbeing –present and long-term.<br /><br />And immediately, on my first visit to this blog, to this page, one can see blatant lies / inaccuracies being posted –why? How come do seemingly rational people deliberately gloss over what seems pretty much indisputable?<br /><br />E.g: Mrs De Villiers says ” I am tired of hearing "where are your facts", because you haven't presented any facts specific to Nitida either”? (Apologies for selecting you madam, we don’t know each other and I sincerely hope you understand that this is a mere example.)<br />As I gather that MANCOZEB has been sprayed many times; I quickly Google: “MANCOZEB + cytotoxic” (as presented by the GG).<br /><br />Taraaaa, there you are: even without reading the enormous mass of resulting info for the next week, it takes me less than five minutes to be certain that indeed there should be reasons for the gravest of concerns.<br /><br />So I’m a bit hooked and ‘will look into this. Anyone who thinks that things may not be so bad and still have children on that school should perhaps do the same.<br /><br />There’s enough info out there to empower oneself so as to be in a position to critically evaluate the merits of both camps’ arguments. And especially if you are already in either camp -be even more critical; you may be wrong after all……<br />In the case of the followers of The Galileo Group: you may take away children from a most effective system of learning (‘am a bit partial to Montessori myself), in a very idyllic location.<br />In the case of the school and all parents who do not remove their children: do you feel lucky, what if you are wrong?"<br /><br />Anthony </blockquote>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-89844267065049193232010-06-12T03:17:00.000-07:002010-06-20T19:49:10.610-07:00Comments on the Chameleons Montessori school's plan to do some blood testsHaving now watched the DVD of the talk and Q&A session given by Prof. London a number of times and having written up most of the actual talk I want to offer what I think may be an important observation regarding something mentioned early on in the presentation.<br /><br />I want to comment on the schools plan to conduct blood tests on the children. Brendon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bailes</span>, the chairman of the newly formed Parent Committee and a representative of the Environmental Health Committee, advised us that they had looked into having <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cholinesterase</span> tests done. He went on to explain the basics of the actual procedure and to say that parents would receive further details in the future.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pathcare.co.za/Pathcare.php?text=Home&Id=0&image=Home.jpg"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pathcare</span></a> was the laboratory that was contacted and we were told a Mr Louie Birch was the person who Brendon spoke with regarding the testing. I phoned <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pathcare</span> myself, today, because it seemed quite inappropriate to bother with this specific test and I wanted to clarify that my understanding was correct.<br /><br />I spoke with a Mr Cor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aalber</span> who was extremely helpful and very happy to discuss the matter at length. He confirmed to me that<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cholinesterase</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> tests will only be of any use if there has been an exposure to </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">organophosphates</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">.</span> This is what I had thought.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Organophosphates</span> work by suppressing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">cholinesterase</span> that is a vital part of nerve signal transmission. By interrupting the proper functioning of the nervous system it kills pests. It works on mammals in the same way which is why it is such a hazardous chemical.<br /><br />We have now been reliably reassured a number of times by Bernard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Veller</span>, the owner of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nitida</span>, that he<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> hasn't used </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Organophosphates</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> on the farm for at least 5 years.</span><br /><br />The obvious question to ask now is,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> why bother testing for something we all know isn't there?</span><br /><br />Does the Environmental Committee not understand the subject well enough to make reasonable <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">recommendations</span> or is this test, which is guaranteed to show no effect, merely being proposed as a way of <span style="font-weight: bold;">creating the impression</span> that something is being done and in addition "prove" that there is no evidence of exposure?<br /><br />I have begun to research what tests, if any, may be available to us that may be more suitable and will make my finding known to the Committee should they need my input.<br /><br />At this point it seems that the specific tests we would need may not be available in South Africa but I will need to verify this.<br /><br />To give Brandon the "right to reply" I forwarded a copy of this post to him yesterday for any comments he might see fit to add. His reply is below.<br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" >"Hi Ford,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" >Yes I am aware the test is for organophospahtes, and the chemical process as to what it does. The consideration was for children to have the test and in the last meeting of the EHC it was decided not to be done in children. As a random group the school has offered all staff to be tested for a baseline reading now and again when spraying does get done in October. So the testing will not be ordered to be done on children, it could be a voluntary test if so desired. This was discussed at the EHC. This test was to test a random group, being the teachers, and on a voluntary basis with no one being ordered to do the test.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" >. There was no intention to confuse parents as this was another suggestion for testing pesticides as it falls into the scope of IPW <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" >I spoke to Dr. Louis Birch and he mentioned the suggestion of random testing and this has been adopted by the EHC. Prof London Concurred in the DVD that it would also not show other than organophosphates – therefore in his opinion should not be done. As expressed above this is a voluntary test if the teachers do want it done as a random group of the school.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" >Regards</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" >Brendon"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Now that it's been established that the testing would be voluntary, when they can't order them anyway so they were always going to be voluntary, it still makes no sense at all to bother with this pointless test. I might speculate that this pantomime is being continued with so as to<span style="font-weight: bold;"> create an impression</span>, among less well informed parents, that tests are being done....and that conveniently, the results will "prove" there's no exposure.<br /></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">As for "random", how on earth can the tests be random if they are to be voluntary? Surely, if people are to be offered the choice to have the tests done this group would be self-selecting and therefore be anything but random. It would appear that the EHC is displaying, again, it complete lack of understanding of basic scientific procedures.<br /></span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Perhaps it's time for these well meaning but somewhat under qualified people to recognise the serious limitations posed by their lack of understanding of this critical issue. The possible consequences should they fail to act with sufficient caution are too dreadful to contemplate.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';font-size:11pt;" ><br /></span></p>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-53549546894022143342010-06-12T02:04:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:16:34.291-07:00someone from Chameleons Montessori is getting very cross....and a little irrationalAs I've written earlier, I need to moderate comments now because some commentators don't seem to be able to discuss the matter without resorting to some nasty personal slander. In fact, that's about all we've been offered...so much for any reasoned objections.<br /><br />I post the following, recent comment, because it's particularly viscous and reveals a very poor grasp of what personal and slanderous attacks actually are not to mention some pretty wooly reasoning. I don't think this person was ever on the school debating team.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"What has identity got to do with it. These are my comments. Identifying myself would just give you the very excuse to do what you've done all along - attack on a PERSONAL basis!"</span><br /></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Introducing yourself is a pretty basic courtesy in human society. Remaining anonymous and simply shouting abuse reduces your comments to an ugly noise.<br /><br /></span><blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"You guys are so righteous about your character's being attacked. What exactly do you think you've been doing all along. You have published blatantly personal attacks from the very start, on the school, on the people that run the school, on the parent body assisting the school, and now even on the environmental committee. Attacks which are to be frank, absolute fabrications of what you believe is the truth."<br /></blockquote><br />Here you seem not to understand the nature of critique. Of course if someone does something I don't agree with I am able to comment on this. If it's reasoned and focusses on the action, or opinion and the consequences thereof this is a reasonable critique.<br /><br />If, for example and as in this case, you claim the chemicals pose no harm and I suggest they do I am not attacking you personally at all. I am attacking your opinion. This is what a grown up argument looks like. I make my position clear and where you disagree you offer your reasons for doing so. So far the school has singularly failed to offer any reasoned argument in support of the policy they've followed for more then 5 years.<br /><br />You are now also saying I'm lying. As you'll see as the details of this saga come to light, the fabrications didn't originate here. Here's just one example for you to contemplate; the matter I raised (and which was reported on in the EHC meeting minutes of 27 May) regarding my allegation that certain teachers had felt they'd been threatened and which "the school" claimed no knowledge of can no longer be denied. It has now been confirmed that indeed this complaint was made in January by the teachers yet "the school" continues to deny this and to thereby imply I was being malicious. How do you explain that?<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"As a concerned parent, I have been doing investigations of my very own ALL THE WAY ALONG and what you are doing is (to be frank) DISGUSTING!"<br /></blockquote><br />So you've been doing investigations "all along" and you evidently didn't ever think that what you learned was of any real concern. I find that quite surprising. Don't you think that after doing some basic research it would be a bit complacent to decide that there was nothing to worry about? Have you made any of your finding known to anyone?<br /><br />You have every right to think that what we're doing is disgusting, that's your subjective and emotional opinion. This is a very emotive topic and I understand your frustration at not being able to adequately respond to this continued scrutiny of the schools policies. Policies I feel are woefully inadequate and may even prove to be disastrous. Time will tell and ultimately public opinion will judge which approach was the most sensible.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"If you want to pass the comments you have, then have the COURAGE to publish mine!"</span></blockquote><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh, I'm not short on courage, that I assure you. You know exactly who I am and</span> I will stand behind what I write here. I've now published yours although your comment "anonymous or not" is something of a paradox....how can I publish your comment as <span style="font-weight: bold;">not anonymous</span>? Is this an indication of your powers of reasoning? If so, I fear for your children.The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-52808876011876565572010-06-11T11:33:00.000-07:002010-06-11T11:37:03.411-07:00Jurgen Schirmacher tells of his family's experinceMy family & I used to live next to a vineyard and we got sprayed on average once a week.<br /><br />When we complained to the farmer we were told that he was there first and that if we did not like it we should sell our house and move back to the city. The farmer also told us that nothing that he sprayed was harmful to man and the environment.<br /><br />It was only after our 5 week son started having respiratory problems, and he ended up in ICU after his system crashed, that we started to do our own research, and with the help of Professor London, discovered just how toxic many of the products were.<br /><br />6 years down the line, and after numerous court cases [which we won], we were advised by our doctors to sell up and move away from the toxins. I had spent Xmas of 2007 in ICU and my wife had spent several weeks in hospital,early in 2008, with pesticide induced arthritis.<br /><br />Many of the products that the farmer sprayed a few years ago, are now no longer permitted to be used and have been banned by GlobalGap as further research has proven that they are highly toxic to humans by exposure.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Its best to always err on the side of caution and to assume rather that a product is dangerous to human health until such time as it has been proven to be safe for use.</span><br /><br />Having seen the list of what Nitida has admitted to spraying close to the school, and having researched the active ingredients, there is absolutely no way that I would want my children to be exposed to any of these products.<br /><br />The school must be moved to a safer location. That is unfortunately the truth, as hard as it is going to be to accept, that is going to be the only solution to this problem.<br /><br />For those of you who are clearly in denial - I have a proposition for you. Why don't you and your children allow yourselves to be sprayed with a cocktail of what Nitida has admitted to spraying? I will arrange for a registered pesticide applicator to spray us with the same products and at the same concentration & volume that Nitida would spray at.<br /><br />I will stand alongside you and may even pay for your upfront blood tests and then further blood tests after our exposure. I am certain that we will get ill as a result, some of us immediately whilst others may have a delayed reaction.<br /><br />There is a wealth of research out there with dozens of books written on the subject. There have also been countless lawsuits filed against the chemical giants like Bayer as a result of people falling ill following their exposure to agricultural chemicals.<br /><br />Each and every agricultural chemical registered for use in South Africa has a hazard rating. Dichlorvos , Dicarzol & Thioflo for example, are rated 1b by the National Dept of Agriculture and World Health Organisation. They are rated 1b because after extensive research they have been found to be HIGHLY TOXIC. The above 3 products are used often in the vineyards of the Western Cape. We were sprayed with them weekly. Thioflo [Endosulfan] has now been banned , and Bayer, its manufacturer, has been ordered to retrieve all stockpiles of it. 2 years ago it was considered such a safe and 'wonderful' product - to be used extensively in agriculture in South Africa. Alas its turned out to be so very toxic. We were exposed to it and the damage is done and ill health is the legacy that we have left for our children.<br /><br />We should have sold our house sooner. But we chose to deny that there was a problem and instead continued with the renovations, using the 'unfinished' house as an excuse to hold onto our dream of living in the country next to a vineyard. Ironically we are not "tree hugging greenies" at all - in fact we are far from that.<br /><br />But the damage to our health has been done and its something that money cannot now buy back.<br /><br />Jurgen SchirmacherThe Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-33959711419068623632010-06-10T10:56:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:20:57.918-07:00no more anonymous comments from angry supporters of Chameleons Montessori's pleaseI've decided to change the settings on the comment facility now.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> I'm still perfectly happy to allow all your personal attacks and whatever else you may wish to offe</span>r but not if you insist on remaining anonymous.<br /><br />It's a pity we have to do this but, like youtube, when people don't feel they will be held accountable for what they say they can become quite nasty.<br /><br />For all I know "anonymous" may actually be my be the same person trying to create the impression of a huge crown of school supporters.The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-46965684424035079802010-06-10T08:21:00.000-07:002010-06-19T07:37:13.481-07:00The email Chameleons Montessori didn't want you to see.There's been a flurry of irate and defensive responses from a number of commentators on the blog ever since I changed the setting to allow anonymous comments. Disappointingly, many have in fact been anonymous which somewhat undermines the credibility of those criticisms. Even more telling is that rather than actually address any of the many very substantive points and criticisms that have been made on this blog a good few of the comments are nothing more than personal attacks on my character and integrity.<br /><br />To be frank, I'm not all that hurt on a personal level by such petty snipes but I am rather disappointed that we can't actually engage in a real, adult debate.<br /><br />I've also been accused of not providing any evidence or facts as pertains specifically to the school.<br /><br />I'll begin to add more on that score over the next few days. I was one of 3 or 4 parents who actually received the first email (addressed to all parents at Chameleons Montessori) and while I was initially quite taken aback it did spur me on to do some research of my own.<br /><br />You can read the whole email in a pdf file by simply<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/32840615/First-Email-From-TATIB-to-Montessori-Parents"> double clicking here.</a><br /><br />I am of the opinion that certain information, that some parents now feel is very significant to them in deciding whether they felt their children were safe at Chameleons, was withheld from them. This email from TATIB, and addressed to us as a group, was in fact not passed on.<br /><br />I was a little surprised that the response from Mr Brandon Bailes didn't address the allegations in the email regarding possible health risks to our children but instead expressed the need to defend the schools reputation. The question that followed, "Has every parent been notified?" may be open to interpretation, and I don't doubt it will be, but considering that very few parents did subsequently get to see this email one is left wondering what was meant by that.<br /><br />TATIB was then asked to direct further correspondence via Dave D'Aguire, who designated himself a representative of the Parent Committee and promised to pass on any relevant information. Evidently everything TATIB offered was regarded as not being relevant.<br /><br />I quote from the schools email to TATIB, 16 March 2010, which was also sent to all parents.<br />"<span style=";font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';color:navy;" lang="EN-ZA">We would appreciate if you could also address all of your future correspondence to me alone and I will ensure that it gets distributed to all parties concerned.</span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color:navy;"><o:p>"<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Apparently most of you were not concerned. How could you be if you knew nothing about this?</span><br /></o:p></span><br />I'll leave you to decide whether that decision, made on your behalf, was correct. You may also wonder about that Parent Committee....I didn't know we had one.<br /><br />It's also recently been suggested that, among various other feeble attempts at character assassination, I am operating out of some sinister and personal agenda to destroy the school.<br /><br />I would ask every parent affected by this crisis to consider the following.<br /><br />We now know that at least as early as March last year this issue was brought to the attention of the school. It was only on the 27 April this year that the first meeting took place to address the matter. This was as a direct result of my stated intention, to Emma, to remove my son from the school. I've detailed all this previously and at length<a href="http://galileogroup.blogspot.com/2010/05/we-tender-our-notice-and-are-persuaded.html"> here.</a><br /><br />That the school finally asked various concerned parents to form an Environmental Committee to look into the matter is a small step in the right direction. However, I would respectfully point out that most of you would still be in the dark regarding this issue and you would not have any ongoing investigation at all were it not for my "sinister motives". Perhaps at this point a simple thank you would be nice...rather than these vicious and snide remarks some have felt justified in hurling at me.<br /><br />The first meeting was, in my opinion not as open nor receptive to "inconvenient" information as I would have hoped. My views on this meeting can be found<a href="http://galileogroup.blogspot.com/2010/05/we-tender-our-notice-and-are-persuaded.html"> here'<br /></a><br />As to whether you think the Environmental Committee can be impartial and unbiased or in fact has any real expertise that renders it capable of making suitable recommendations regarding such a complex matter, I leave to you.<br /><br />As to my own expertise, which as been called into question, I would say that an ability to read, understand and reason logically is a good start. But if my opinions are so weak and inconsequential then I wonder why my opponents are so intent on trying to discredit me personally and not concentrating on the points I raise.<br /><br />The bulk of the facts on this blog are either accounts of events we have personally experienced or I cite other authorities. I make no apology for expressing my own views here. It was made abundantly clear to me, at the meeting of the 27 April, that my opinion was not a welcome one. In addition, I feel that the school's subsequent actions to try and deal with the matter are hopelessly inadequate and 5 years too late.<br /><br />I will take this opportunity to ask, for the umpteenth time, for any evidence of the various investigations the school claims to have undertaken in the last year as were referenced countless times. Show us what you did to ensure our children were safe.....and don't dare to suggest that because we knew it was a working farm we must accept that there may be risks. That argument is too absurd to even begin to take seriously.<br /><br />I'll be posting an in depth analysis of Prof. London's comments on the matter shortly. His opinion is quite clear and he goes to some trouble to make sure his point was heard.The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-15469586181979367372010-06-10T01:05:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:21:52.877-07:00My opinion about Chameleons Montessori's recent behaviour - Jo HallamHi<br /><br />I just wanted to say how sad this whole situation has made me.<br /><br />We were very happy and supportive of Chameleons and had made many friendships that I thought would last for many years. We thought that if we raised concerns about the spraying, we would be, as part of our happy little community, taken seriously and listened to. When we offered important research, that took Ford hours to collect, we were told by the appointed member of the Business Steering Committee to keep quiet as "the women won't understand the science and get all panicky!" and that coming from a person who believes that frogs in a pond is proof that our children are not at risk. BTW has anyone actually taken a close look at the pond and had research done on the frogs to determine if there are any "problems" with them. No! Just because they hop around doesn't mean they are ok!<br /><br />Thankfully, I still have some friends and other parents who believe in what we are doing. We started this blog with their blessing and support and get phone calls daily offering support and thanks. This blog is not a forum and I find it bizarre that other people seem to think they have the right to offer what they call is a balanced opinion, when all they are really doing is attacking Ford's character. A blog is a diary, if you feel that bothered by this one, start your own!<br /><br />At this point, I want to say how proud I am of my husband for taking a stand in all this and spending hours of his own time trying to do some good. Some may have the odd notion that he is only out to attack and ruin Chameleons reputation, that is totally incorrect. If, when he started the research (all of which he has posted as proof of his opinion on this very blog, if you care to read it!), he had found no worrying reports or studies, he would not have felt the need to raise the issue with the school. However, he DID find numerous horrific statistics and test results that, to be frank, made me cry and made me feel very ashamed that I had not realised earlier and had already exposed my child to the dangers of pesticides.<br /><br />When Ford suggested to Emma that there was a VERY REAl risk and as such we would be removing Joel from the school, she acted very worried and surprised and asked Ford if he thought they should move the school. He said that is exactly what they should do and have our full support. He also said that he had asked Dave a few times to get the parents together to inform everyone as to the risks. I have already told you what Dave's response was! Emma decided (thankfully) to call a meeting and asked Ford if he would tell the parents about the research he had found. Great! we thought. At the meeting, I was deeply saddened when Emma spent about 20 minutes giving a time line and Bernard was given about 30 mins to talk about the chemicals from his perspective. Ford was given no opportunity to give in any detail the information he had prepared. He was only able to quote a few concerns from a paper Prof. London had written and then quite abruptly asked "well, what is your answer!"<br /><br />You wonder why he started this blog? So he could supply all the evidence that the school seems to not want to hear! for those who do care about their children's health!!<br /><br />Let me ask you this. If you saw a child being abused, day in day out, would you stand by and allow that parent to get away with it? No, I'm sure you would not and would want some authority to intervene for the safety of that child. This is how I see the situation at Chameleons. With all the evidence I have read and from what Prof. London ( the only expert opinion the school has sought) has clearly said, I feel this amounts to child abuse. These children are innocent and fully exposed because a few people refuse to see the dangers, for reasons I cannot understand. I won't go into the science as I would only be duplicating what Ford has extensively said in this blog.<br /><br />In my opinion, no school should be on a working farm. I am not attacking the school, just the reasoning behind their inability to actually see this as a health risk. It is not enough to say we don't see it as a problem so you just take your child and leave us in peace to poison our children. Who will speak for the innocent?<br /><br />Thank you Ford<br /><br />From your very proud wife.The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-48027669254800286962010-06-09T11:15:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:22:16.744-07:00A few words to Chameleons Montessori from a concerned mother.<p>I would just like to state a few facts.</p><ol><li>My daughter was born in 1978. The only serious illness I can remember was chicken pox in Grade 3.</li><li>She started working at Chameleon’s in 2008. She hardly started, fell ill with “bronchitis”, and was very distressed because she had to take time off so soon after starting her new job. Anyone who knows her, would know what a dedicated teacher she is. She spent the whole of the June holidays with a broken rib due to excessive coughing. She lived on antibiotics which we now know, were of no use.</li><li>The situation became unbearable. I watched my daughter deteriorate and the coughing persisted. She could not even walk up the two flights of stairs to her own apartment. Her dancing, which is her passion and was much needed to supplemented her school income to survive, came to a halt.</li><li>Towards the end of 2009 we consulted a physician and after numerous blood tests she was diagnosed with inflammation of the lungs. Please note inflammation, NOT infection……not bronchitis!</li><li>She was advised not to return to the environment to see the effect it would have on her lungs. Steroids, cortisones and immune boosters were used.</li><li>I am a happy mother now. My child has regained her health fully. I am sad to read now that the school has been aware of this problem for so long. </li><li>After six months of living in extreme stressful circumstances i.e no permanent employment, repayment of a car and flat and HUGE medical bills, she has not even had as much as a cold.<br /><br />Makes you think, doesn’t it? </li></ol><p><strong>Laurette Albertyn</strong></p>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-69199933496140362232010-06-09T04:57:00.000-07:002010-06-19T07:36:56.175-07:00Some simple questions for Chameleons Montessori to answerHere are a few specific questions we feel the school must address. They're quite simple so it shouldn't require any sort of investigation or anything....just a simple yes or no. Naturally we would like some proof where we disagree. Evidence for the position we take is to be found all over this blog.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Does spray drift end up on the school?<br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> answer; Almost certainly.</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> <o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Has the school </span></o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> ever </span><o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">done anything to establish whether the school is somehow protected from chemical contamination,?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">answer; No proof that they have done so has yet been presented, despite numerous requests to see this if it exists.</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> <o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">If spray drift does end up on the school has the law been broken?<br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">answer: Yes</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Was the school made aware of serious concerns regarding the possible health risks posed by these chemicals any time before this March 2010? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">answer: Yes, the parents who Emma referred to in her "timeline" and who removed their daughter from the school did extensive research on their own and tried repeatedly to convince the school that there was a serious risk.</span> This started in March 2009. More than a year ago.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Why didn't the school bring the full details of the spray risk and the alleged risks to our children's health to our attention so we could make our own minds up as to whether the information was worth considering?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">answer; only the school can answer </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">this </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">because it's beyond us. </span><br /></p><o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Do we know enough about the total effect, both short and long term, to allow us to make any sort of reasonably certain statements to the effect that there is no need for concern?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">answer; <span style="font-weight: bold;">Absolutely not</span>. As Prof. London said, just because we don't have evidence for possible harm (yet) does not mean it's safe. </span></span></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p><br /></p>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-13203942967219353842010-06-08T07:05:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:22:42.275-07:00All change...but not at Chameleons Montessori<span class="postbody"><span style="color:green;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind.<br /><br />To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse.<br /><br />To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better.<br /><br />To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better<br /></blockquote><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="postbody"><span style="color:green;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">-King Whitney Jr </span></span></span></div>The Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256433365955974479.post-25097935836388736032010-06-08T04:15:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:23:23.421-07:00Choices count. Comments from another betrayed parent from Chameleons MontessoriChoices count...consciously -or not.I do not need better teachers or schools for my children...I need to become a more congruent, conscious human being who requires more of myself and of the need for integrity. To scorn the near, for the far, is folly. There is no parent training for this...parenting it seems,is the way...Taking my children out of harm's way at the school--did not seem like a choice...at the time. Now I know that readiness prepares the way.<br /><br />Staying grounded in the reality that everyday is a learning is a continuous balancing act, and there is no sure answer. At best, we get a second chance to do it differently, more consciously. Some of us, may not be that lucky. I know now that a school on a farm with chemical pesticides is not safe for my children--and this is my decision to make. To have been mislead or to have a school presume it to be ok to decide for me,is a violation that I do not take lightly.<br /><br />What initially seemed like ignorance on the side of the (Bus. Steering) BS Committee has devolved... Through deliberate sabotage of the truth,and disregard for the welfare of vulnerable children, the school has enfringed on my right as a parent to be informed of the dangers that the spraying poses. Continuing to do the same thing and expect a different outcome with more new parents,may seem like obsession for consistency...do not be fooled...this is a twisted way of remaining unaccountable for the trust that was broken.<br /><br />Not seeing the wood for the trees, or the pest in pesticide...dress it up anyway you want...these poisons pose a serious threat to our children masked by a false idealism of a good school in a perfect environment. As parents we are being asked through conscious living, to not only to take responsibility for ourselves, but also to demonstrate responsibility for what others do to others. This is a big ask, when it seems as though we are barely making it to shore. ( The truth is that "there is no shore, only people on rafts with life jackets" and the water maybe polluted!!!. )The safety we seek can only come from aligning ourselves with what is sustainable...our relationship to the sustainability of water, air, etc.the school has become more like Marc's Steinberg's version of greenhouses in Iceland.I could teach a child about care of the environment...and fancy nature walks...and if the context I chose was poison...that's what he gets.<br /><br />To believe that a Montessori school could fail in integrity is unfathomable...the penny dropped when I saw the poor immune response and low white/immune cell count during a full blown infection my son had. This is not evidence ...simply because our children's immune systems are made susceptible to what is not usually tolerated in a fully functioning immune response.<br /><br />So consciousness is the gap between knowing and following through on what is known. What is known? Pesticides being used on the farm are detrimental esp to children with developing immune systems... and have been published as carcinogens. what more do I need to decide, or acknowledge, or let go, in order to act consciously now? As parents we have to do better, when we know better.and when we do, we give others permission to do the same.Be in the know...the future of children has already started...let every decision count...because invariably, it does....consciously-or not.<br /><br />Masooda MookadamThe Galileo Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282615978205503539noreply@blogger.com0