In celebration of Earth Week, several members of the EcoSchools Team at East Ridge Community School in Owen Sound had a meeting with team leaders and school administrators. The East Ridge EcoSchools Team is led by teachers Mme Osborne, Mrs. Milburn, and Mme St. Martin. During the regular school year, the team meets twice per month and takes part in energy and waste audits. The students involved take a leadership role in the school and organize special events to focus attention on caring for the planet. Last year, the students helped to organize and present a special Earth Day assembly. This year, students, staff members, and administrators teamed up to offer the students a chance to connect and feel engaged in environmental action.

The virtual meeting was promoted by Vice-Principal Sue Crysler, using School Messenger and the East Ridge Falcons Facebook page. Students were invited to sign up on a shared Office 365 Word Doc, and then invitations to a secure Teams meeting were sent to students and their parents. Students were encouraged to “bring their lunch” just like they would at school. During the meeting, students had the opportunity to share examples of things that they were doing at home with their families to celebrate Earth Week. One student told the team about a science experiment he was doing to grow vegetables from the cut off tops of old vegetables. With assistance from his mom, he shared a picture with the group. Another student shared that he was spending time outside tracking animals, and said that he had identified a variety of animal tracks. Other ideas and experiences of learning and engaging in nature, and creating crafts using recycled materials were discussed. Mme Osborne shared the exciting news that special tomato seeds had been delivered to her house over the March Break so that the EcoSchools Team could participate in the Tomatosphere project. Students were given a special “Earth Week at Home Choice Board” created by Mme Osborne and discussed some of the ideas and activities that were provided. Students and their parents were invited to share some of the projects or activities with the school community by sending photos to Mme Crysler or Mme Osborne if they wanted them to be viewed by others in the East Ridge school community. Students, parents, and educators enjoyed the chance to get together and celebrate even though circumstances require physical distance.

source: media release, East Ridge Community School