November 30, 2000
Board of Directors
Seattle Public Schools
815 Fourth Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98105Dear Directors:
We, the individuals and groups who have signed and endorsed this letter, strongly urge you to take action immediately to abolish commercialism in Seattle's schools. We are opposed to commercial influences on schoolchildren, and want a District policy prohibiting advertising and commercial activities in schools.
Marketing to children is a present and growing problem in the Seattle Public Schools. Recently computer software mandated by the District has placed a commercial message on every Web page students view. The TV ads brought by Channel One continue to be forced on students daily. There are many other examples. The problem persists in spite of repeated calls for action since 1996. The Committee on Commercial Activities and Advertising, appointed by the superintendent, made written policy recommendations in September 1998. Do not delay further.
Schools are for learning, not selling. When schools promote unhealthy products in blatant contrast to the health curriculum, and school facilities are used to promote excessive consumption, one result is student cynicism. The moral authority of schools and teachers is lost, school employee morale drops and educators lose the confidence of parents and the public.
You must now adopt and enforce policies to eliminate the predatory commercial influences on the children entrusted to you.
Sincerely,
David Wall ( President, Citizen's Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools )
Seattle Community Colleges Federation of Teachers
Ted Lockery (Teacher and SEA Board of Directors)
Dawn Mason (former Washington State Legislator and Co-founder Parents for Student Success)
Margit McGuire (Professor and Director of Teacher Education, Seattle University, and Past President, American Association of Social Studies Teachers)
Angela Toussaint (Board Member, The Civic Foundation)
John Chattin-McNichols, Ph.D. (Seattle University School of Education, past-President of the American Montessori Society)
Sarah Luthens (LGBT Pride at Work, AFL-CIO)
Mary Flowers (C.U.R.E. )
David Marshak (Associate Professor of Education, Seattle University)
Cindy Domingo (N.W. Labor and Employment Law Office )
Mike Graham-Squire (Director Seattle Young People's Project)
Webster S. Walker (University of Washington, Chair, ASUW Senate Subcommitte on Administrative and Faculty Affairs )
David Yao (Chief Steward, Greater Seattle Area Local, American Postal Workers Union)
Karen Farnsworth (DVM)
Diane Morrison (Research Professor, University of Washington)
Dwight Van Winkle (Attorney )
Kurt Sahl (Doctoral Candidate, University of Washington, College of Education )
Dr. Brita Butler-Wall (co-author of the Report on Commercial Activities and Advertising in the Seattle Public Schools (SCPTA, 1997))
Robin Oppenheimer (Arts and Technology Consultant to Seattle Arts Commission and Bellevue Art Museum )
Tim Crowley (Free Speech Seattle)
Curt Firestone
Janice Van Cleve
Patricia Manuel (MS, RD Nutritionist )
Judith Camann (M.Ed School Counselor and educator )
Trevor Griffey ( Campaign Manager, Joe Szwaja for Congress)
Laura Gardner (Parent/Architect)
Matt King
Wilhelm Welzenbach (University of Washington, College of Forest Resources )
Susan Partnow (Parent of two in the Seattle schools (one has graduated) Former teacher and speech pathologist )
Caroline K. Wildflower (M.S.W., Consultant, Parent and Grantwriter)
Mandy Zabohne (Editor-in-Chief, Pipe Dangler Productions)
Jeff Stevens (Senior @ UW )
Amanda Babson (student, UW Seattle)
Michelle Cobban (University of Washington, Student Action Network)
Andrew Abian (Software Developer )
Manu Saxena (LAc. )
William B. Ireland (student educator)
Lora Clem (Student-The Evergreen State College)
David Gordon
Kim Gordon
Valerie Nagle (Garfield Parent)
Angela Hill (Preschool Parent )
Daniel J. Ramier (Preschool Parent)
Vida Drew
Jim Mouritsen (J.D.)
Will Rose (Green Party member, former teacher)
Jennifer Hudziec (LMP )
Molly Rapozo (Seattle resident )
Tisha J Satow
Michael O'Connor (Associate Professor, Seattle University )
Hillary Funk (Student, University of Washington)
Brian Allen (Community Activist)
Claire West (Senior at Orcas Island High School)
(affiliations are for identification only and do not imply endorsement by the organization)