June 2025
Media coverage of For Our Kids AB's fight against hot, smoky classrooms
For Our Kids Alberta is in the news!
Op-ed in Calgary Herald
On June 14, the Calgary Herald published "Our kids schools are too hot and too smoky for learning," an op-ed by members of For Our Kids Alberta.
In it, Claire Kraatz, Jenny Yeremiy, and Jaymie Heilman talk about how extreme heat and bad air quality are threatening the health and wellbeing of students, teachers, and staff in schools across Alberta. They explain that the problem is especially dangerous in older schools (like the ones their own children attend) and will only get worse without serious investments in green infrastructure and a just transition away from fossil fuels.
"Until we shift to a renewable energy economy, temperatures and wildfires will only grow more extreme. The number of days over 30 C each year is likely to double or even triple over the coming decades. The realities of climate change are scary enough — our kids’ classrooms shouldn’t compound their suffering."
Radio interview on CQHR
Following the op-ed, Claire Kraatz was interviewed by Sarah Crosbie for Global News on QR Calgary 770AM.
Claire shares her personal experience with hot, smoky classrooms in a way that is compelling and inspiring. She talks about how she drafted a policy to address the problem across the province, which was approved by the Alberta School Councils Association (ASCA) -- only for the Minister of Education, Demetrios Nicolaides, to dismiss the motion and pass the buck. Breaking through a lack of political will requires collective strength, and Claire encourages parents and families to organize with For Our Kids and participate in our Hot Classrooms, Cool Solutions campaign.
Massive kudos to these incredible parents who are doing so much to make positive change happen.
