On Wed May 9th SB participated with the Florence Mears Public School parents and staff to host a local showing of An Inconvenient Truth.

This is one of the more progressive public schools, it seems to me, in the Burlington area. I don't know of another public school that has moved on the environmental issues to the same degree. The principal, Janice Hambrock, was just as committed as the parent organizer, Adriana Girdler, to getting parents and their families to start thinking and acting on the urgent climate change information.

 The school is initiating new projects, including a 'walking school bus' program to encourage parents to stop driving their kids to school, reduce traffic congestion, get kids exercising, and reduce smog/carbon emissions.

Mark Butler, head custodian, is working on innovative ideas to reduce the trash created by students, and increase the recycling.

Sustainable Burlington core group showed up to support the event, talk with parents and staff the display. We met with Councillor Rick Goldring, who fitted at visit into his packed schedule, presenting a few of the high environment priorities facing Burlington.

About 20 parents attended, some with their children. Joe Jaroszek came with his 10 yr old son, Ian, who was insistent that he did not want to miss seeing the film. 

Parents were invited to add a coloured sticker to the wall maps provided by the city of Burlington showing the catchment area for the school. This may be helpful in identifiying neighbourhood groups which may want to support the school's environmental program or start a local post-carbon support group with Sustainable Burlington.

Mears AIT event Burlington: Student at AIT film event, Mears PS: Mark Butler, Rob Plaschka, Ian Jaroszek at AITPrincipal Hambrock at AIT eventAdriane (middle) with parents at AIT event