[Summit] Fwd: Avoid School Animal Dissection

[libertyliterary at cox.net]

Dear Summit Neighbors,

I just sent this out to my organization's list 
of parents and school professionals, as 
well as animal lovers and those concerned
about environmental pollution.  I thought
many of you might be interested too.

Blessings,

Liberty G

----- Original message -----
From: liberty at toxicsinfo.org
To: concerns at toxicsinfo.org
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:15:39 -0400
Subject: Protect Students & the Environment -  
Avoid School Animal Dissection

A TIP supporter just sent us this information about
refusing to allow a child to dissect or vivisect an
animal in science class.  Apparently, this is provided
for under RI law.

Why is this a TIP concern?  Note the use of huge amounts
of toxic formaldehyde for this purpose.  Not only is it
an environmental pollutant, but the fumes from it could
have serious health effects on the children doing the
procedure.

We recommend that teachers and parents take heed and
move to utilize alternative learning materials to this
cruel and toxic practice.

Anyone interested in downloading a poster for publicizing
this concern, just let me know and I will send it as an
attachment.  (I try to avoid attachments in mailings to
multiple recipients).

Blessings,

Liberty G
**********************************************************
RHODE ISLAND DISSECTION CHOICE LAW (16-22-20) 
enacted 1997  

What does the law say?
 (a) A parent(s) or legal guardian of any student in a public
or nonpublic primary or secondary school may refuse to allow
their child to dissect or vivisect any vertebrate or invertebrate
animal, or any part of a vertebrate or invertebrate animal.
   (b) A school that offers dissection or vivisection as a learning
activity shall permit those students whose parent(s) or legal guardian
refuse to allow them to participate to demonstrate competency through
an alternative method of learning the material that would be covered
in the activity. Alternative materials and methods may include but not
be limited to: video tapes, models, films, books, computer programs,
clay modeling or transparencies.
   (c) A teacher shall not discriminate against a student for not
participating in dissection or vivisection and shall not lower a grade
because a student's parent or legal guardian has chosen an alternative education project.
   Did you know that 6,000,000 frogs, fish, reptiles, cats, dogs, mice,
rabbits, pigs and others are collected warehoused and killed each year
for dissection? Millions of tons of formaldehyde, a potential
carcinogen, are dumped into our environment every year.
   There are many good alternatives such as videos, plastic models and computer software. Studies show that students who used alternatives did as well or better than students who dissected animals. Alternatives can be used over and over until the lesson is understood. They are less expensive to buy and are even offered on loan from animal protection groups free of charge. Just pay shipping.  

For more info contact:
www.neavs.org/esec
www.hsus.org
www.pcrm.org
                                                                                                                                “Thanks!”
******************************************
Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project    
P.O. Box 40441,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org