Walking School Bus

by Pavreet and Vidhi  — Roberta Bondar Public School, Brampton, ON

January 2011 — Wednesday November 24, 2010, an ordinary walk to school for the kids of Roberta Bondar P.S.. This innovative activity was first created to bring awareness to pollution created by our cars. Kids can walk to school then are entered in a draw to win some cool prizes, encouraging them to walk more. But there is a big message behind this.

“Pollution is decreasing biodiversity everywhere like the fishes and animals,” says Prabhjot from 6C and he is absolutely right.

With cars comes lots of carbon dioxide and carbon is the cause of global warming. The carbon thickens the atmosphere and the sun’s rays are trapped in the earth and the heat travels up to the Arctic. The excess heat makes the glaciers that tower above the tallest person’s head tumble in the water. With less ice and more water on the top of the world floods are happening all over. By this action the sun’s rays are able to break through the atmosphere and heat up the planet. The thick atmosphere is causing the heat to get trapped. This is the reason for global warming and we are adding to it with every action we make.

When students walk to school, the bus is powered by them walking so it is safer for the environment. They walk every Wednesday to school and back home. It’s a great exercise and fun for the kids and the leaders take on some leadership roles.

Roberta Bondar P.S has come up with an eco-friendly and fun way of transportation—which reduces the effects encouraging children to walk to school on Wednesdays. Many teachers in the school are still promoting walking to school even though it is not a Wednesday.

“I think it’s an absolutely fun way for younger kids in the school to join the walking school bus. Maybe when they grow older and they are still in the school they will also think of becoming a leader because they got inspired by Roberta Bondar’s first walk to school leaders.”—Ms. Johnston, Vice Principal of Roberta Bondar.

Many teachers at the school have put in a lot of time and effort to make the walking school bus program very successful. Many students at the school have told our eco reporters that this is a fun and entertaining way to walk to school. They have also told the reporters that they will endorse other students to walk instead of taking the car. When kids walk they don’t produce carbon so it is better for the environment.

“I love the walking school bus and I will continue to encourage my friends too!” comments Shane 4C.

We hope that other schools get inspiration from our students and staff. We also hope that students and staff in other schools remember that the ‘Earth is worth it’, one of the schools logos and we should be saving it!

By: Pavreet and Vidhi

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