August 20
Seattle Sites of the Day:

Citizens' Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools

"CCCS discovered that use of Channel One is down over 50% in Seattle Middle Schools from 1997. ... Since 1997, 4 schools have decided not to renew their contract, and 2 others are looking the other way if teachers choose not to use it.

"One middle school principal, who declined to be identified, explains why his school does not have Channel One: 'A lot of Channel One is superficial and is cluttered with commercials which look a lot like the news.' ...

"A new and even more outrageous type of commercialism has just hit Seattle Schools. This summer, the School Board contracted with an Internet filtering company, N2H2, to exchange kids for machines.

"... the contract provides Internet servers and web filtering services to the district at no charge.

"In exchange, all students using the Internet at school are required to view banner ads on every WebPage, including teacher- or student-made pages. ...

"Furthermore, the filtering system gathers detailed data from students while they are using the Internet. By contract, the district has no control over the data.

"This contract was signed with no parental notification or public process. ...

"On July 26, CCCS voted to join the Coalition to Undo Racism Everywhere (C.U.R.E.), a local coalition of over 25 groups.

"C.U.R.E.'s. first focus of action is the Seattle Public School District, which has a pattern of failing to meet the needs of children of color or to respond to the recommendations of the community about how to meet those needs.

"Commercialism of education worsens institutional racism by encouraging youth to make poor choices, by actively working against critical thinking, and by showing stereotyped images of ethnic minorities. ...

"Local psychologists Allen D. Kanner and Tim Kasser have joined 60 mental health professionals in urging the American Psychological Association to 'denounce the use of psychological techniques to assist corporate marketing and advertising to children' and launch a campaign to educate the public 'about the ongoing abuse of psychological knowledge by the child advertising industry.' ...

"The 2001 School Board races include the following:
- Don Nielsen, NW Seattle
- Jan Kumasaka, SE Seattle
- Michael Preston, Central Area

"We are in the process of identifying people to run from these districts. What we are looking for is decent, thoughtful people who care more about children than about corporations, and who will work for the citizens who elected them versus big business. ...

"Michael Preston is the only School Board member who has consistently voted against commercialism in schools."

"Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, including premature and sick newborns with rare exceptions. ... When direct feeding is not possible expressed human milk, fortified when necessary for the premature infant, should be provided.

"Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth, usually within the first hour. Except under special circumstances, the newborn infant should remain with the mother throughout the recovery period. ...

"Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger. Newborns should be nursed approximately 8-12 times every 24 hours until satiety, usually 10-15 minutes on each breast with a range of 5-30 minutes.

"In the early weeks after birth, non-demanding babies should be aroused to feed if 3-4 hours have elapsed since the last nursing. ...

"No supplements (water, glucose water, formula etc.) should be given to newborns unless a medical indication exists... With sound breastfeeding knowledge and practices, supplements are rarely needed. Pacifiers should be avoided in the hospital unless a baby and mother are separated by illness.

"... exclusive breastfeeding is the ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life.

"Gradual introduction of solids begins in the second half of the first year. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and thereafter as long as mutually desired.

"... in the first 6 months water, juice and other foods are generally unnecessary for breastfed infants. ...

"Should hospitalization of the breastfeeding mother or infant be necessary, every effort should be made to maintain breastfeeding, preferably directly, or by pumping the breasts and feeding expressed breast milk, if indicated.

"Encourage and support no separation of mothers and babies. Babies who require special intensive care should still have as much access to parents as possible.

"Assure that breastfeeding begins as soon as possible after birth, usually within the first hour. Skin to skin contact between mother and baby is to be encouraged. ...

"Prohibit the distribution of infant formula discharge packs, promotional items, educational materials or acceptance of money from formula companies for education or supplies."