Grand Erie Goes Green as 38 Schools Earn EcoSchools
Certification
“We’re extremely proud of what our EcoTeams have achieved this year,” said Katie Hashimoto, Supervisor of Energy and Environmental Conservation at the Board. “Fostering student leadership and becoming stronger environmental stewards is part of the EcoSchools certification process. What these schools are doing will have a lasting impact.”
As the world comes face-to-face with the realities of climate change, Grand Erie students are leading the way with big and small modifications that make a significant difference. From introducing recycling programs, encouraging waste-free lunches, energy conservation programs and school grounds greening projects, the EcoSchools program provides a framework for building environmentally responsible schools. The EcoTeams also take on the task of student-centred actions and goal setting.
Three Grand Erie schools earned Platinum EcoSchools certification, the highest level of recognition. They include Bellview Public School, École Confédération and Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School. Additionally, 14 schools were awarded gold certification, 14 earned silver, and seven collected bronze. In total, 31 elementary schools and seven secondary schools were honoured.
“Our hope is that the EcoSchools program will continue to grow and flourish within the board,” said Hashimoto. “It’s the dedication of these students who are changing attitudes and cultures within their schools, at home and in the community.”
The EcoSchools program connects to Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan, Success for Every Student, through the Environment indicator and the goal of “improving energy and environmental conservation at all sites.”
Platinum EcoSchools:
- Bellview Public School
- École Confédération
- Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School
Gold EcoSchools:
- Bloomsburg Public School
- Caledonia Centennial Public School
- Delhi Public School
- Jarvis Public School
- King George School
- Lansdowne-Costain Public School
- North Ward School
- Onondaga-Brant Public School
- Paris District High School
- Ryerson Heights Elementary School
- Walsh Public School
- Walter Gretzky Elementary School
- Waterford District High School
- West Lynn Public School
Silver EcoSchools:
- Boston Public School
- Centennial-Grand Woodlands School
- Central Public School
- École Dufferin
- Hagersville Elementary School
- Hagersville Secondary School
- Lakewood Elementary School
- Langton School
- Lynndale Heights Public School
- McKinnon Park Secondary School
- Rainham Central School
- River Heights School
- Teeterville Public School
- Thompson Creek Elementary School
Bronze EcoSchools:
- Burford District Elementary School
- Cayuga Secondary School
- Cedarland Public School
- Dunnville Secondary School
- Houghton Public School
- Oakland-Scotland Public School
- Paris Central Public School
We are an Eco-School
Did you know our school is an eco-school? Well we are, and that means that our school is making efforts every day to stay green. Some of the things our energy efficiency group is doing include implementing eco-friendly browsers, starting lights out lunches every Monday and Friday, creating signs for lights and monitors, and adding important information to our school website about being eco-friendly. We're also having a fun sweater day where we’re lowering the temperature of the school by two degrees and we will all wear sweaters. We’re also adding Ecosia to all our browsers. Ecosia is a company that plants a tree for every forty-five searches on the internet. Students are also making fifteen signs and posting them around the school, to remind people to turn off lights and monitors. Sweater day will be held on the 29th of November, and the 16th and 17th of December. Remember to check the school website for more cool information about how we are going eco-friendly, and the steps to become a platinum school, and to watch a video about implementing eco-friendly habits. Always remember to stay green!
From,
The Energy Efficiency Team of École Confédération
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