April 29, 2009
DSBN Students Celebrate Education Week
The environment is a priority, and thousands of highly motivated DSBN students are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and deliver a green, eco-friendly message across the region.
During DSBN Education Week (April 28 – May 1), elementary and secondary school students are making five important commitments to the environment: think, act, manage, conserve and partner.
Every successful initiative shares one thing in common; a good plan. On Monday, students took time to think about the environment, what sustainability means to them, and how they can make a positive impact on our world.
On Tuesday, students began to mobilize themselves, their families and surrounding communities in support of the environment. Letters to the media, organizations and messages on their school websites invite others to join the movement towards sustainability.
Students realize that the best way to effectively manage waste is to simply avoid creating it in the first place. Wednesday is dedicated to the 3 R’s of waste management; reduce, reuse and recycle. Events like boomerang lunches, recycling relays and photocopy free days will all help ease the pressure on our local landfills.
Society is undergoing a cultural shift; from a culture of consumption, to a culture of conservation. In many ways, students are leading this movement. On Thursday, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership by promoting activities that preserve the planet’s precious natural resources.
Friday will be dedicated to working together to make a difference. Students will be reaching out to other classes, schools and community organizations to share what they’ve learned, collaborate on ways to improve the environment and celebrate successes.
The Board celebrated Education Week with the annual kick-off breakfast Tuesday morning at Club Italia in Niagara Falls. The overarching theme of Education Week is “Energizing Young Minds”; which Education Week Co-Chair Melanie Sendzik said reflects the passion and commitment students demonstrate each day.
“From initiatives such as shutting off lights and computers when they are not in use, to reducing paper, plastic and organic waste, students are showing that they care about the environment. Through the activities planned during Education Week, schools will continue to support students with the tools and knowledge to further affect positive change in their schools and communities,” said Sendzik.
“Students understand that the movement toward sustainability is not a fad,” added Crane Gittins, Education Week Co-Chair. “This presents a tremendous teaching opportunity for schools, as environmental education connects to all other areas of the curriculum.”
At Tuesday’s breakfast, DSBN Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki announced the winners of the Director’s Audit Challenge. Congratulations go out to College Street and Sheridan Park Public Schools. Students from each winning school will conduct an eco-audit at the Education Centre in St. Catharines to determine how the Board office can improve its energy conservation and waste management initiatives.
Director Hoshizaki and Board Trustees Dalton Clark and Liz Fulford also presented the winners of the Director’s Earth Hour Challenge with certificates recognizing their efforts. Congratulations go out to E.L. Crossley Secondary School, Martha Cullimore Public School, Nelles Public School, Oakwood Public School, Sheridan Park Public School and the DSBN Purchasing Department. The Director’s Challenge asked all schools and DSBN office departments to come up with the most creative and inspiring event to recognize Earth Hour.
Those in attendance on Tuesday were also treated to the sounds of the Laura Secord Secondary Junk Band, Westlane Secondary’s Eclipse singing group and a performance from students at Westdale Public School. Students there performed Raffi’s “Big Beautiful Planet”, followed by their own eco-rap.
See the full list of activities taking place at DSBN schools at www.dsbn.org/educationweek.