Cell Tower Concerns

Hello,

I would like to start a thread about the cell phone tower issue.

From what I understand, there is some exposure to the power frequency electromagnetic fields that come from the towers. I did some research and saw an article from the World Health Organization that has made me feel a bit unsure about it all.(http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs263/en/) In the article,it is stated that the ELF's (power frequency electromagnetic fields) are "possibly carcinogenic to humans" and they link a possibility between exposure to them and childhood leukemia.

I really don't know much about the issue but I have read of many schools protesting the use of towers. If some people can talk to either side, then perhaps we, as parents, can be educated about the matter.

It seems like putting them up closer to the gas stations and railroad tracks might be a safer bet. Granted, I am sure that the school could use the $10,000 a year it would be paid, but not at the expense of the children's health.

From what I understand, once that contract is signed, it is very hard to get the company to take the towers down.

Thanks! Lindsay Diamond

Greenbrier Principal Search

The Greenbrier PTO has been advised that the Charlottesville City Schools division will begin advertising for the position of Greenbrier Principal in late November with a January deadline for applications. It is our understanding that CCS presently hopes to have the next "Super STAR" hired in February or March.

School Board Candidate Q&A

On Tuesday, October 16, the Greenbrier PTO will host a City School Board candidate question and answer session. Our PTO meeting will be from 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. (please note the new, later time) and the Q&A session will be from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Please send an e-mail Willa, Lorie, or the PTO mail box now and let us know what topics you would like covered. You should also post your suggestions here as a comment so that others can see what's on your mind. We will spend the first half of the session asking the candidates to address certain topics and then we’ll open the second half to questions.

Please come and learn more about the people whose potential decisions will impact all our children.

Thanks,
Willa and Lorie

City Council Candidate Forum

This Wednesday, October 10th, the Greenbrier Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a forum for all five City Council candidates (two of whom live in our neighborhood) . Three seats are open in November, which means that a majority of our future City Council for the next 4 years will be at Greenbrier Elementary School's auditorium at 7:30 pm -- 9:30 pm to respond to any questions or comments you have. Please be sure to come and hear from and about the individuals whose decisions will be affecting our daily lives much more than any state or national office holder. The forum is of course open to anyone, so feel free to invite or bring others as well.

Clothes Closet

Ms. Parmar, Greenbrier's guidance counselor, is seeking donations for the Greenbrier clothes closet. If you have any of the following, please drop the items off at the main office:

• Pants sizes 5-12 (especially sweatpants or pants made of stretchy material).
• Shirts sizes 5-12 (anything easy to slip on).
• A few lightweight sweatshirts or sweaters.

Please no

• ponchos,
• capes,
• tank tops,
• button-up shirts,
• socks,
• shoes,
• underwear,
• pajamas,
• winter coats (yet anyway), or
• adult size items.

It is helpful if families only send us a few carefully chosen items. If we are given large bags or boxes of stuff, we quickly run out of room to store it. It also really helps if things are freshly laundered and free of stains and rips.

Thanks for your help!

Change to 10/11 PTO Council Meeting

The PTO Council will hold a meeting Thursday October 11th at 7:00 PM in the Walker Media Center. Rosa Atkins (Superintendent) and James Henderson (Assistant Superintendent for Administration) will attend. The meeting will allow PTO representatives and members of the school community to talk about school issues in an informal setting.

Previously, our PTO received an agenda announcement for the meeting listing the topic of middle school configuration. This subject has been debated for many years in this community and continues to be of interest to all in the community. We've been advised that school officials are continuing their study of the subject but would prefer to defer discussions on this till later in the year.

Please still feel free to come to the meeting if you'd like a chance to hear from Ms. Atkins and Mr. Henderson in an informal setting.

Thanks,
Willa and Lorie