13 schools earn EcoSchool certification
For Immediate Release
June 10, 2011
GUELPH, Ontario — Twelve elementary schools and one secondary school in the Upper Grand District School Board have been certified as Ontario EcoSchools.
Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education and certification program for grades K-12. The program helps students develop ecological literacy while engaged in practices to become environmentally responsible citizens. Developed and run by school boards, Ontario EcoSchools also helps improve school building operations to reduce environmental impacts.
Students at Ken Danby Public School “have been working hard to help make our school as green as possible,” said Trevor Hamilton, a grade 5 teacher. Students created a campaign to reduce the school’s carbon footprint, including the distribution of posters and making presentations to each class on the proper ways to recycle.
Efforts at Aberfoyle Public School included weekly litterless lunches, and campaigns to reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and computers. The Eco Team consisted of two students per classroom, who tracked their progress through flip charts of checklists in the front hall.
Here are the UGDSB results for 2010-2011:
- Aberfoyle PS – Gold
- Arthur PS – Gold
- Centennial CVI – Gold
- Erin PS – Silver
- J.D. Hogarth PS – Bronze
- Ken Danby PS – Gold
- Kortright Hills PS – Bronze
- Laurelwoods ES – Silver
- Mitchell Woods PS – Silver
- Rickson Ridge PS – Bronze
- Victoria Terrace PS – Gold
- Waverley Drive PS – Gold
- Westminster Woods PS – Silver
This year 70 elementary students from Centennial C.V.I .feeder schools came together in April for an EcoSchools leadership conference at Rickson Ridge P.S. The student conference included an opportunity for students to share their school’s successes and challenges around the 4 pillars of the EcoSchools program (Waste Minimization, Energy Conservation, School Yard Greening, and Ecological Literacy). Grade 12 students from the Headwaters Program organized the conference and provided their facilitation skills, motivational energy, and musical inspiration.
For more information:
Mike Anderson, Elementary Curriculum Leader
UGDSB Program Services
[email protected]
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext.544
[email protected]
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