From energy conservation to classroom learning with an environmental focus, students in Bluewater District School Board are going for green. Three schools have received Ontario EcoSchools certification for their environmentally friendly initiatives over the past school year. Bruce Peninsula District School in Lion's Head has achieved Gold certification, while Macphail Memorial Elementary School in Flesherton and Sydenham Community School in Owen Sound have both been certified at the Silver level.
Ontario EcoSchools works with school boards across the province to nurturestudent leadership and foster environmental learning and
action in school communities. Students are encouraged to become environmental ambassadors by reducing the ecological impact of their schools and building environmentally responsible school communities. This year's certified schools in Bluewater District School Board join a record number of approximately 1,830 certified schools in Ontario.
Bruce Peninsula District School's EcoSchools club, made up of both secondary and elementary students, shared with all stakeholders the school goal of achieving Gold level certification. Grade 4/5 students managed the school's recycling, while the Grade 1 class gathered compost material daily for the school gardens. Monthly assemblies were also held in each grade to offer big ideas and provide the students with a global environmental perspective. As a UNESCO school (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), students are regularly educated on global issues and demonstrate environmental stewardship by performing energy and waste audits.
As part of its Me to We initiatives, Macphail Memorial Elementary School also ran an EcoSchools club, which performed energy and waste audits around the school. Environmental stewardship activities included a community garden, Earth Week activities, and a battery drive. A number of curriculum connections have been established through learning focused on watersheds, visits to the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre, seed and flower planting, and exploring ways to keep our oceans clean.
Students at Sydenham Community School met weekly during the school year to plan and implement special environmental projects within the school. The students helped organize waste free lunch days, Wear a Sweater Day, and activities for Earth Week. They also planted pollinator flowers, viewed media with environmental messages, and participated in discussions on water and energy conservation.
Details on the Ontario EcoSchools program can be found here.