Change Is Simple Donates 60 Climate-Focused Books to Bentley Academy Library
Change Is Simple creating ‘climate libraries,’ expanding STEM-based climate education in Salem elementary schools
SALEM (June 9, 2026) – As a coastal city, the climate is always top of mind in Salem.
On Monday, Change Is Simple, a Beverly-based nonprofit specializing in climate education, visited the Bentley Academy Innovation School to donate books – in English and Spanish – to create a section of climate literature in the BAIS library.
With a donation of 60 books, representatives from Change Is Simple spoke to four classes of grades 3-5 scholars about weather, wind and carbon, rising temperatures and natural disasters. Students constructed their own wind turbines and discussed renewable energy solutions as well as non renewable energy and how students can mitigate.
“Our kids have been learning throughout the year about climate change and this is a culmination of their learning,” said BAIS Digital Media Specialist Veronica Diaz. “We have a very good collection of climate change literature but we’re excited and grateful to add to it.”
The climate library collection includes titles such as “100 Ways to Save the Planet” by Tom Jordan, “Food for the Future” by Mia Wenjen, and “Rainbow Weaver” / “Tejedora del Arcoíris” by Linda Elovitz Marshall.
“We visit multiple times annually, delivering STEM-based environmental education lessons to every third, fourth, and fifth grader,” said Change Is Simple Outreach and Development Manager Janelle Rolke, also a Salem Public Schools parent. “Our organization hopes that the new library collections will supplement the work they do in the classroom to empower the next generation of climate leaders.”
Joining Ms. Rolke from Change Is Simple were Carlos Wluka-Benavides, Arden Dowd, Jess Detwiler, and Cameron McGlauflin.
Donations of books were made possible through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Change Is Simple is creating 19 climate libraries in 19 schools across Greater Boston, including each of the Salem elementary schools, by the end of the school year, as well as those in Woburn and Revere.
This generosity of Change Is Simple is consistent with the District’s Strategic Plan, particularly the core values of elevating learning and empowering educators.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
