This is a fantastic project and what you are trying to do with the kids is commendable. Bravo!

On the other hand, releasing all those non-biodegradable balloons into the already polluted atmosphere was not good! Shame on you! You as teachers should have been well aware of the fact that plastics do not biodegrade, but break into pieces which get into the streams, river, oceans and land! The birds especially are the ones who suffer the most as they mistake them for bits of food for their young and they choke and die on this stuff.
You could have had a more symbolic ceremony using real or hand made candles and raised them high in sequence to look like the light that promises are made from or some such procedure. This could have been a two fold lesson....helping children to treasure their dreams and vow to make their lives better AND better their environment for th the future as well!
I sincerely hope you heed this message as it was intended.

Yours truly,
A former but retired art teacher (from East Norriton Middle School) and one who is very active in environmental issues and the promotion of the arts,
Judy Battaglia

Judy,
I apologize for not including it in the video, but those balloons were, in fact, biodegradable. It was one of the first things the Communities that Care folks mentioned when I showed up for the event but I didn't manage to get the camera out in time. Thanks for being a good "Green" watchdog. We need more citizens like you.