For MASSPTA

Shaping the Future of Your Community: A Citizen's Guide to Involvement in Community Planning, Land Protection, and Project Review in Massachusetts

Now available online at www.massaudubon.org/shapingthef uture: 

This publication describes the state and local government bodies and laws associated with land management and natural resource protection. The updated version, now available for download, has enhanced tools for effective citizen involvement, numerous web links to sources of additional information, and helpful tips on how to get involved and make a difference in your community.

Mass Audubon's Losing Ground <<a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/advocacy/news.php?id=19&type=news" target="_blank">http://www.massaudubon.org /advocacy/news.php?id=19&type =news> series documents the changes in Massachusetts land use. This series exposes the harsh reality of land loss in Massachusetts: More land has been developed in Massachusetts in the last 40 years than in the previous 340 years. This trend shows no signs of slowing.

December 12, 2007 Boston Globe Letters to the Editor

SCHOOLS IN Massachusetts continue to suffer from decades of neglect. What the Nov. 28 front-page article "83 schools make 1st cut for state building funds" didn't say is that 322 out of 423 applications identified their schools as "structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children where no alternative exists."

Massachusetts has among the highest prevalence of childhood asthma in the country. The state Department of Public Health, which has inspected schools across the Commonwealth, sees a link between schools with decrepit environments (especially mold) and higher asthma rates. Where is the outrage over why we subject our children and school staff to these conditions?

With the increased pressure on schools to meet higher standards, it is critical that we address the connection between school building conditions, health, and learning opportunities. Schools that receive "underperforming status" should also be evaluated for environmental health and safety conditions.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority is providing us a bold picture of school building neglect, but even with some state assistance, hundreds of projects may stay unfunded and will deteriorate even more.

JEAN ZOTTER
Director, Boston Urban Asthma Coalition

TOLLE GRAHAM
Healthy schools coordinator, Mass.
Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health
Dorchester

Bullying is a problem in school and during non-school hours. Here are some tips for preventing and managing it.

• CHHCS In-Focus: Bullying--Is It Part of Growing Up, or Part of School Violence?
• CHHCS E-Journal: Bullying--It's Not Just at School Any More
• Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence: Safe Communities, Safe Schools
• Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence: Bullying Prevention: Recommendations for Schools
• HRSA: Stop Bullying Now

You're invited to a state-wide Public Forum on protecting our local water resources. Monday, December 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster, MA
Directions: http://www.thetrustees.org /pages/3946_directions.cfm

Large-scale water withdrawal is becoming an increasingly significant issue.  Nestle's interest in taking large amounts of water from MA watersheds and aquifers raises new issues and calls for new protection of water resources.  Global demand for good water is rising, and experts predict more pressure on fresh water ecosystems.

For more information and to register, contact Becky Smith at Clean Water Action, bsmith@cleanwater.org, 617-338-8131 x210.

See the results of tests of 1,200 popular children's toys for toxic chemicals at www.HealthyToys.org , the nation's first toy database of its kind. The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow (www.healthytomorrow.org) and allies around the country compiled test results and developed this site to better inform consumers about the products they will be purchasing this holiday season, and to encourage parents to urge the government and manufacturers to phase out harmful chemicals from toys and other products.  

McDonald's is taking in-school marketing to a new low.

Last week, students in Seminole County, Florida received their report cards in envelopes adorned with the Ronald McDonald promising a free Happy Meal to students in kindergarten through fifth grade with good grades, behavior, or attendance. Targeting children directly with the message that doing well in school should be rewarded by a Happy Meal undermines parents' efforts to encourage healthy eating.  And if parents want to reward their kids' school performance, they are intelligent enough to determine what kind of reward, if any, is appropriate. They don't need any help from a corporation whose real concern is its bottom line.

Tell McDonald's:  Stop advertising on report cards. Go to http://salsa.democracyinaction .org/o/621/t/4886/campaign.jsp ?campaign_KEY=21959

"My daughter worked so hard to get good grades this term and now she believes she is entitled to a prize from McDonald's," said Susan Pagan, an Orlando-area parent.  "And now I'm the 'bad guy' because I had to explain that our family does not eat at fast food chains.  I'm outraged that McDonald's is trying to exploit my daughter's achievement - and that the Seminole County School Board would help facilitate this exploitation."

The promotion highlights McDonald's duplicity when it when comes to marketing to children. McDonald's has pledged to stop all advertising in elementary schools.  When questioned about the report cards, a McDonald's spokesperson claimed the promotion isn't marketing.  If that's what McDonald's believes, their pledge isn't worth the paper they are printed on.

McDonald's has received kudos for its pledge to only advertise its healthier options to children under twelve, yet the Happy Meal promotion explicitly mentions cheeseburgers, French fries, and soft drinks; Happy Meals featured on the report card can contain as many as 710 calories, 28 grams of fat, or 35 grams of sugar.

On Wednesday, we were alerted to the promotion by an Orlando-area parent.  Within twenty-four hours, our concerns about the report cards ignited a nation-wide controversy, including stories in the New York Times, the Associated Press, and a front-page story in Orlando.  Now we need your help to put an end this outrageous advertising. (Press coverage and a picture of the envelope is available at http://commercialfreechildhood .org/pressreleases/reportcard .htm)

Tell McDonald's: No advertising on report cards at http://salsa.democracyinaction .org/o/621/t/4886/campaign.jsp ?campaign_KEY=21959

*If you live in Seminole County, please also take a moment to email the school board and urge them to end all report card advertising.

Thanks,

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
www.commercialfreechildhood .org

Washington, DC, May 5-7, 2008 Breathing Matters: Advocacy Conference and Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill 2008

• Countdown to the Metered-Dose Inhaler Transition
• Disaster Preparedness: Lessons Learned for Future Planning
• Student Rights - and Readiness - To Carry Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications
• Improving Healthcare for Hispanic Families
• The Language of Asthma
• Connecting the Dots: Coexisting Health Conditions
• Media and Message Training
• Meeting With Your Elected Officials
• Internet Advocacy: Make a Difference Without Leaving Your Desk

Leading experts in asthma and allergies will join federal officials to address urgent issues in respiratory care. Media and message training will help you become an effective advocate -- whether it's with national and local legislators, healthcare agencies or school administrators. You'll also meet with your Congressional representatives while you're in DC. Young advocates (ages 10-16) will have their own 3-day program.

 

Continuing Medical Education Credits and nursing education contact hours are available.

 

The conference is limited to 100 adult participants (no limit on youth participants). AANMA members have registration priority until December 31, 2007. Registration form at www.breatherville.org/cityhall /ch_breathingmatters.htm .

 

NEW -- Wingspread Conference on Childhood Obesity, Healthy Eating & Agricultural Policy, March 2007. Click here to access conference information and background papers.

Research Briefs:

• School Foods Sold Outside of Meals (Competitive Foods)

• Promoting Good Nutrition and Physical Activity in Child-Care Settings

To learn more about the epidemic of childhood obesity in the U.S. and RWJF's approach to addressing this challenge, please visit the Childhood Obesity area of the RWJF Web site.